Your Church Friends Podcast

John the Baptist is born, but controversy arises over what to name him. The crowd is ready to name him Zacariah, like his father, but his parents know his name was predestined to be John. With this story in mind, we ask the question: What is predestination, and where did this concept come from? Join Your Church Friends as they closely examine how understanding that God is in control of everything is an essential component in discovering a Savior.
 
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Mary visits Elizabeth, and when they greet each other, there is a moment of celebration and joy for all around. Why would this meeting between these two soon-to-be mothers bring such joy? Could it be the spiritual revolution that was about to begin? Join Your Church Friends as they closely examine how joy marked the beginning of God’s revolution and how it is an essential component in discovering a Savior.
 
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Ok, but seriously, can we trust prophecy, especially when it comes to prophecy about the Messiah in the Bible and how it all points to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus? Join Your Church Friends as they closely examine the significance of biblical Messianic prophecy and how it’s an essential component to discovering a Savior.
 
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With so many people making predictions about the future, end times and the return of Jesus, how can we trust Prophecy? Also, why is it so hard to trust all the prophecy found in the Bible? Join Your Church Friends as they closely examine the significance of biblical prophecy and how it’s an essential component to discovering a Savior.
 
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Why is the truth so important? Why is it so challenging for us to discern what is genuinely true? Join Your Church Friends as they closely examine the significance of investigating for the truth and why the truth is an essential component to discovering a Savior.
 
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Hey Church Friends, Chris and Muireadhach sit down to have a quick conversation about some big and exciting news about the podcast. They also give a quick preview of the next season. It’s a season you won’t want to miss, one that will take us on a mission, on a quest, on a search for the truth. Join us on our journey to Discovering a Savior.
 
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Chris sits down with Pastor Jay Kim to discuss his new devotional book, "Colossians: One Jesus, One People," a 40-day study through the epistle. They have a lively conversation about the Book of Colossians, what it means to know the truth, and why unity is so crucial. They also talk about the importance of studying the context of the letter and understanding to whom it was written and why it was written, is so essential to understanding the deeper message of the Epistle of Colossians.  
 
Learn More about Jay Kim:
https://jaykimthinks.com/about
 
Buy Jay Kim's Books:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jay-Y.-Kim/author/B084DLNB2K?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
 
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The Shepherd of Hermas ends with ten parables given to Hermas by the Shepherd. These parables range from illustrations about two cities, an elm tree and a grapevine, a shepherd of luxury and a shepherd of punishment, to a cosmic willow tree and twelve mountains. All the parables drive home the same point: what are you going to do with God’s Word and how are you going to live once you know God’s commands?
 
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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 our desires and that sums up the commandments from the Shepherd to Hermas.
 
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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 and avoid anger. Commandment six presents a whimsical depiction of a demon on one shoulder and an angel on the other, with one urging us to do good and the other tempting us toward evil.
 
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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 in Rome.
 
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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.
 
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Read The Shepherd of Hermas:
https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd-lightfoot.html
 
 

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.
 
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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'.
 
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Check out Calvary Bellflower:
https://calvarybellflower.org/

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/
 
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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 that a Savior is coming for those who follow the path of righteousness.
 
Purchase George Nickelsburg's Commentaries on Enoch:
https://www.logos.com/product/50244/hermeneia-1-enoch-2-a-commentary-on-the-book-of-1-enoch-chapters-37-82
https://www.logos.com/product/50243/hermeneia-1-enoch-1-a-commentary-on-the-book-of-1-enoch-chapters-1-36-81-108
 
Purchase Michael Heiser's Commentaries on Enoch: 
https://www.amazon.com/Companion-Book-Enoch-Commentary-Watchers/dp/1948014300/ref=sr_1_4?crid=12XBVQII4ORQF&keywords=michael+heiser+enoch&qid=1690931896&sprefix=micahel+heiser+enoch%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/Companion-Book-Enoch-Commentary-Parables/dp/1948014416/ref=sr_1_5?crid=12XBVQII4ORQF&keywords=michael+heiser+enoch&qid=1690931896&sprefix=micahel+heiser+enoch%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-5
 
Read Father Stephen De Young's Notes on Enoch:
https://blogs.ancientfaith.com/wholecounsel/2020/07/25/the-book-of-enoch/
 
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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 will metamorphose into a lamb, leading the people of the Lord of the Sheep back to Him.
 
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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 of the bulls, corrupting the earth. The Animal Apocalypse has begun!
 
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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 stark contrast between the unwavering obedience of nature to God's commands and the prevailing disobedience of humanity at that time.
 
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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 associated with the visionary chariot throne from Ezekiel 1. While the second parable centers on the punishment of the sinners, the third parable unveils the destiny of the righteous, who will dwell eternally in the radiant presence of the Lord of Spirits.
 
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