The Twelve Commandments from the Shepherd continue. Commandment seven serves as a reminder to Fear the Lord, emphasizing that fearing God prevents us from doing evil and enables us to do good. Commandment nine addresses double-mindedness, calling it the daughter of the devil, while commandment ten the Shepherd tells Hermas not to despair when God doesn't answer prayers or when life doesn't align with personal expectations. The final two commandments focus on discernment: discerning prophecy and ...
Oct 04, 2023•57 min•Ep 144•Transcript available on Metacast The Shepherd is now on the scene and gives Hermas twelve commandments to live by, progressing from basic principles to the need for deeper spiritual discernment. The first six commands begin with a simple yet perhaps the most challenging one: believe in God. They then progress to abstaining from evil and practicing generosity, culminating in a genuine love for the truth. Commandment four takes a unique perspective on divorce and adultery, while commandment five advises simply to remain patient a...
Sep 20, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep 143•Transcript available on Metacast The visions of Hermas continue! A tower is being built with different types of stones. Some of the stones fit together so perfectly that they look like one united piece, and other stones are used from the depths of the waters. Then there's a vision of a great beast known as tribulation that scares Hermas until he remembers what God told him after he had prayed and fasted. These are the visions of Hermas that parallel so much of the Bible and show us where theology was headed for the Christians i...
Sep 06, 2023•51 min•Ep 142•Transcript available on Metacast He sees her bathing and has a simple thought: she would make an excellent wife. The only problem is that the woman bathing is his former master, Rhoda, and Hermas is already married. Sometime later, Hermas has a vision, and in it, Rhoda appears to tell him that the thought he had was wrong. This is how the Vision section begins in The Shepherd of Hermas. Visit our Website: https://yourchurchfriends.rocks/ Read The Shepherd of Hermas: https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot...
Aug 30, 2023•39 min•Ep 141•Transcript available on Metacast The Shepherd of Hermas is an early Christian writing that focuses on the main character, Hermas, and his five visions, the twelve mandates given to him by The Shepherd, and ten parables on aspects of moral piety and holiness. The Shepherd of Hermas provides a wonderful insight into the life of the early church and Christians in Rome. The two main themes are post-baptismal sin and repentance, and the relationship between the rich and non-elite within the church. Visit our Website: https://yourchu...
Aug 23, 2023•43 min•Ep 140•Transcript available on Metacast On this YCF Special presentation, join us on a journey back in time to April 23, 2023, when Chris spoke at our home church, Calvary Bellflower, about Mark 4:35-41. He delivers a compelling message on how fear can hinder our progress in faith. By embracing the principles of believing in God, maintaining our focus on Him, and placing our trust in His timing, we can harness the 'Power to Change our Fear into Faith'. Visit our website: https://yourchurchfriends.rocks/ Check out Calvary Bellflower: h...
Aug 16, 2023•49 min•Ep 139•Transcript available on Metacast It's the end of the Book of 1st Enoch, and it doesn't disappoint. A captivating tale unfolds about the birth of Noah and how his father feared he might not be his son due to Noah being born with fiery eyes and long locks of hair. Remarkably, Noah also began speaking immediately upon birth, and this is just a fraction of the story. Lastly, tune in to hear our reflections on the Book of 1st Enoch and its significance in the Christian life. Enoch Throughout the Bible: https://intertextual.bible/ Vi...
Aug 09, 2023•55 min•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast In the Epistle of Enoch, Enoch gathers Methuselah and all his sons for a final word with them. There, Enoch shares with them the Apocalypse of Weeks, a summary of human history from creation to the Last Judgment condensed into a tale of 10 weeks. Enoch also warns them not to be misled by the practices of the world they live in, as the path of the unrighteous leads to many woes, punishment, and death. In contrast, he gives them exhortations to fear not, be hopeful, and take courage, assuring them...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast The Animal Apocalypse continues, and the story of Israel, told in animal form, unfolds further. The Israelites have transformed from cows to sheep, and the author of the Animal Apocalypse reveals the truth about their tendency, as well as humanity's, to stray from God, now referred to as the Lord of the Sheep. As a result, the Israelites face attacks from wolves, foxes, lions, tigers, and other surrounding nations. The Animal Apocalypse concludes with the prophesied birth of a white bull that wi...
Jul 26, 2023•57 min•Ep 136•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the Animal Apocalypse! A tale of Israel's history, where the people are replaced with animals. The story begins with a bull and a heifer emerging from the ground, becoming the parents of a red bull and a black bull. Unfortunately, the black bull kills the red bull, and if this narrative sounds familiar, it's because it is. After the fall of many stars on the earth, other animals appear, including elephants, camels, and donkeys. These creatures start to attack and kill the descendants ...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast The Astronomical Enoch, possibly the earliest among the Enoch writings, explores the celestial movements of the sun, moon, and stars as they traverse the heavens throughout the changing seasons. It unveils a unique 364-day solar calendar, divided into four quarters with three 30-day months and a day interposed between each quarter. This fascinating account portrays the sun, moon, and stars as dutifully following Divine laws. Enoch imparts this revelation to his son Methuselah, highlighting the s...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast The third parable takes you on an exhilarating journey through ancient mythology and celestial realms. Encounter the awe-inspiring chaos monsters, the Leviathan and Behemoth, representing the forces of the sea and the land, reminiscent of the enigmatic beast in the book of Revelation. Delve into the vivid descriptions of the Cherubin, heavenly beings tasked with protecting the holy from contamination, and the Seraphin, guardians of sacred spaces. Discover the Ophannin, the divine wheels associat...
Jul 05, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast The second parable continues with a vivid description of the fate awaiting the wicked. In a parallel to the events depicted in Daniel 2, the kingdoms of the earth are brought down, signaling a profound judgment. Azazel, identified as the figure known as Satan in the Bible, faces punishment as he is cast into the lake of fire. The parable reaches its climax with a retelling of the flood narrative, where humanity faces divine retribution for their moral corruption and their inclination to follow t...
Jun 28, 2023•54 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast The first parable from the Book of the Similitudes or Parables in 1st Enoch concludes with Enoch's visionary encounters, unveiling the concept of 'Mansions' and the embodiment of Wisdom that transcends human understanding, finding its ultimate manifestation in Jesus. The second parable begins by describing the Day of the Lord, referred to as 'That Day,' where the Chosen One, Jesus, reigns on the throne of glory as the supreme judge. Experience the transformative power of divine judgment, leading...
Jun 21, 2023•56 min•Ep 131•Transcript available on Metacast Chapters 37-71 of 1st Enoch are known as the Book of the Similitudes or Parables. This section consists of three parables or visions received by Enoch, introducing new material through heavenly visions that primarily focus on the concept of final judgment. The Book of the Similitudes holds particular significance in New Testament scholarship as it describes the Son of Man in connection with the final judgment. One of the most controversial aspects is the usage of the term 'Son of Man,' drawing i...
Jun 14, 2023•50 min•Ep 130•Transcript available on Metacast How we think about the Bible is important, and the truth is, sometimes we don't get it right. The problem we face is that we often prefer to be wrong in our interpretation, molding the Bible to fit our desires, rather than allowing it to speak for itself. In our insightful discussion with Jack Pelham, our Church Friend and fellow podcaster, we explore this topic and more. Jack enlightens us by emphasizing that true growth often lies not in simply doing or stopping certain actions but in first ch...
Jun 07, 2023•59 min•Ep 129•Transcript available on Metacast World-renowned author Dr. Scot McKnight joins Your Church Friends to dive into his latest book, "Revelation for the Rest of Us." Together, they tackle the issue of speculation in reading Revelation and explore how Revelation chapter 1 verses 1-3 can shape our understanding of the entire book. They also delve into the unique struggle Americans face when approaching the book of Revelation. Join them for a captivating conversation on the significance of Babylon in the Bible and discover how we can ...
May 31, 2023•53 min•Ep 128•Transcript available on Metacast The Book of the Watchers is more than just Nephilim and the flood. It includes the list of seven archangels and describes how they serve God. It also delves into Gehenna, a real biblical location used as imagery for the appearance of the underworld. Additionally, the book provides a description of the spiritual geography of the entire creation, which was accepted by the New Testament writers and the Church Fathers in their understanding of events within the invisible creation—the spiritual world...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep 127•Transcript available on Metacast Genesis 6 has left many puzzled with its intriguing account of the sons of God, daughters of humankind, and the enigmatic Nephilim. But fear not, because the Book of the Watchers in 1st Enoch fills in the gaps! It unveils the story of rebellious angels who abandoned their divine duty to corrupt humanity and the earth. Discover the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael as they confront these fallen angels and bring justice. And let's not forget the captivating antagonist, Azazel, bound ...
May 17, 2023•57 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast The Book of 1st Enoch has caused controversy among scholars and believers for centuries. While some argue that it should be included in the canon of scripture, others consider it outright heresy. Your Church Friends decided to delve into this controversy and explore the book's contents. The journey begins with an examination of Enoch's character in the Bible and what God's Word says about him. From there, we will analyze the various sections of the Book of Enoch and their dates of origin. Finall...
May 10, 2023•58 min•Ep 125•Transcript available on Metacast If the first six chapters were about what we do, then the remaining chapters 7-16 can be categorized as how we worship God. This amazing ancient Christian writing teaches us that baptism is an important part of the covenant agreement between the believer and God, and that it is more than just a symbolic act. It provides instructions on how to make prayer a regular part of our day and life and shows us how communion should be the focal point of any worship service dedicated to God. It warns of fa...
May 03, 2023•1 hr•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast Chapters 1-6 of the Didache offer a compelling contrast between the Way of Life and the Way of Death. This ancient Christian text teaches that the way of life begins with loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. It goes on to emphasize practical actions such as blessing those who curse us, praying for our enemies, fasting for those who persecute us, and being generous. Rather than focusing solely on belief, the Didache emphasizes that Christianity is a way of life, a path that shapes ho...
Apr 19, 2023•46 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast The Didache, also known as the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, was written in the first century and contains vital Christian principles for leading a godly life, undergoing conversion, and participating in church rituals. Serving as a "church manual" or "handbook" of Christian ethics and church order, it outlines fundamental teachings and practices that the early Christians believed new believers needed to learn as they joined the church. This ancient Christian document provides us with a fasci...
Apr 12, 2023•30 min•Ep 122•Transcript available on Metacast On this YCF Special presentation, take a trip with us back in time to July 31, 2022, when Muireadhach spoke at our home church, Calvary Bellflower, on Daniel 3. He delivers a powerful message on how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ended up in Babylon and how their refusal to compromise on eating the food sacrificed to idols allowed them to have the strength to be 'Fearless in the Fire'. Visit our website: https://yourchurchfriends.rocks/ Check out Calvary Bellflower: https://calvarybellflower.or...
Apr 05, 2023•50 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast By the 8th century there were over 70 healthy churches in the city of Crete. Yes that’s the same Crete that was known to be filled with brutes, gluttons, and liars. How did that happen? Maybe it was that short three paged letter Paul wrote to Titus that really stuck to the people there and made a lasting difference in their community. A letter to remind the faithful Pastor, Titus, that to build the church properly the foundation must be sound doctrine. Visit our website: https://yourchurchfriend...
Mar 29, 2023•36 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast It was Crete, and we all know who the people of Crete are - nothing but brutes, gluttons, and liars. This is where Paul placed Titus to clean up the church and establish it. So, what did Titus need to do? He needed to look for people with great character, and he knew it would be difficult. But he also knew that character had to come before competency, and godliness before giftedness. If they were to grow the church of Crete for God's Kingdom, it all started with finding people with the right lif...
Mar 29, 2023•30 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast What is The Trinity? What was the view of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? How did the early Church view the theology of The Trinity and how could a term that’s not mentioned in the Bible bring so much debate? Listen as Your Church Friends have an authentic conversation into the Trinity from the Forgotten Book of Titus. The Trinity from Scroll Publishing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpPmXUEK3F8 Best Description of The Trinity, Start Video at 17:19 https://www.youtube.com/...
Mar 15, 2023•43 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast We would like to say Thank You to Dr. Michael Heiser who passed away February 20, 2023 and as he would put it stepped into the Unseen Realm. He will be missed by all who knew him and all who learned to know God better from his work, but his life and legacy will never be forgotten. Thank you for all you did to build God's Kingdom. What was life on Crete like and what were the people there known for? Who was the Crete prophet that Paul quotes? Who was Titus and what special assignments were given ...
Mar 08, 2023•48 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast What are the Pastoral Letters, and who wrote Titus? How does the vocabulary and style of Titus relate to its authorship? What was the role of a scribe, and could Luke have played a role in the letter to Titus? Listen as Your Church Friends dive deep into the Forgotten Book of Titus and unpack all these questions. Breakdown of the Forgotten Book of Titus: - Introduction & instructions about elders, truth, and various groups (1:1-2:15) Qualifications for elders About Cretans Instructions for older...
Mar 01, 2023•32 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast Join along as Muireadhach reads the Forgotten Book of Titus. Visit our Website: https://yourchurchfriends.rocks/ The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB Copyright ©2016, 2020 by Bible Hub Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Berean Bible Homepage: https://berean.bible/
Mar 01, 2023•6 min•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast 
