EP 32: SCC Savor, Month 8, Days 14-19

Allen: Welcome back to the SCC Saver Podcast where we're savoring God through every bite of scripture. I am one of your ho co hosts, Alan, and I'm joined with Jeremy Rennie. What's going on, Pastor Jeremy? Not much. Ready to get into this. That's great. I got one question for you. I think it's kinda I think it's kind of a fun one. All right. Let me know. Let's go. but I think I already know your answer. Okay. Would you rather lose your voice for a month or your internet for a month?

Jeramie: Welcome back to the SCC Saver Podcast where we're savoring God through every bite of scripture. I am one of your ho co hosts, Alan, and I'm joined with Jeremy Rennie. What's going on, Pastor Jeremy? Not much. Ready to get into this. That's great. I got one question for you. I think it's kinda I think it's kind of a fun one. All right. Let me know. Let's go. but I think I already know your answer. Okay. Would you rather lose your voice for a month or your internet for a month?

Allen: my voice. Yeah. Of course. Really? yeah. That's not what I was expecting. Really? Yeah. I thought you I I thought you'd say your internet. You're a preacher, man. Like you you can just open the Bible up and preach. You don't need the internet for that. Vacation baby. I'd like I'm sorry I have to take a monthly disconnect from the Well, here's the here's the real question. Yeah.

Jeramie: my voice. Yeah. Of course. Really? yeah. That's not what I was expecting. Really? Yeah. I thought you I I thought you'd say your internet. You're a preacher, man. Like you you can just open the Bible up and preach. You don't need the internet for that. Vacation baby. I'd like I'm sorry I have to take a monthly disconnect from the Well, here's the here's the real question. Yeah.

Allen: Would the congregation wish that I lost my animal? yeah, yeah, yeah. I think they're gonna say the enemy. let's see. That's great. Yeah, great. Let's let's get in. this is month month eight, days fourteen through nineteen. So we're gonna chat Luke seventeen, twenty through nineteen, ten, finish up second Timothy, Proverbs twelve through fourteen and then the end of Nehemiah. Yeah. So let's jump in.

Jeramie: Would the congregation wish that I lost my animal? yeah, yeah, yeah. I think they're gonna say the enemy. let's see. That's great. Yeah, great. Let's let's get in. this is month month eight, days fourteen through nineteen. So we're gonna chat Luke seventeen, twenty through nineteen, ten, finish up second Timothy, Proverbs twelve through fourteen and then the end of Nehemiah. Yeah. So let's jump in.

Allen: Old Testament Nehemiah, this is the latter section of Nehemiah where after you know, the reforms are being performed by by Nehemiah and he shows up and he's calling people back to the word and the faithfulness. this is now we get to the point of their covenant renewal and they're basically rededicating themselves back to the book of the law, back to the Lord. And so if you want to jump in and start commenting on kind of big picture here. Yeah, I mean they finished the walls, but y you know, the the structure of the city is there, but the heart

Jeramie: Old Testament Nehemiah, this is the latter section of Nehemiah where after you know, the reforms are being performed by by Nehemiah and he shows up and he's calling people back to the word and the faithfulness. this is now we get to the point of their covenant renewal and they're basically rededicating themselves back to the book of the law, back to the Lord. And so if you want to jump in and start commenting on kind of big picture here. Yeah, I mean they finished the walls, but y you know, the the structure of the city is there, but the heart

Allen: needs to be dedicated to the Lord. And you can have all the structures in place, but if the heart is not devoted to God, if our hearts are not devoted to God, it doesn't matter what religious sort of trappings and structure a church has. If you know, so he gets to the heart of it. And I think chapter eight's one of kind of the high points, one one of these traumatic moments of revival in the old testament where they gather for the word. You know, they

Jeramie: needs to be dedicated to the Lord. And you can have all the structures in place, but if the heart is not devoted to God, if our hearts are not devoted to God, it doesn't matter what religious sort of trappings and structure a church has. If you know, so he gets to the heart of it. And I think chapter eight's one of kind of the high points, one one of these traumatic moments of revival in the old testament where they gather for the word. You know, they

Allen: They bring the word, they open the word, they read the word, they explain the word. Yep. And and the people hear it and the people are shaken to their cores by God's word and and it brings about repentance. Chapter nine is this like amazing prayer of repentance. And and it shows you know, this is not just like, we're sorry. we made a mistake. I mean, this is like soul searching

Jeramie: They bring the word, they open the word, they read the word, they explain the word. Yep. And and the people hear it and the people are shaken to their cores by God's word and and it brings about repentance. Chapter nine is this like amazing prayer of repentance. And and it shows you know, this is not just like, we're sorry. we made a mistake. I mean, this is like soul searching

Allen: reflection on their history as a people. It it's really profound and and it just shows you, you know, the holiness of God and the ugliness of sin. Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's great. yeah, there's chapters eight and nine. I love ch eight eight. It says they read from the book, from the law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense so that the people understood the reading. Yeah. It's like there's a clear reading and understanding of the word. And then chapter nine, if you want to grow in what it means to be like penitent, contrite in the heart.

Jeramie: reflection on their history as a people. It it's really profound and and it just shows you, you know, the holiness of God and the ugliness of sin. Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's great. yeah, there's chapters eight and nine. I love ch eight eight. It says they read from the book, from the law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense so that the people understood the reading. Yeah. It's like there's a clear reading and understanding of the word. And then chapter nine, if you want to grow in what it means to be like penitent, contrite in the heart.

Allen: just read chapter nine, read these prayers in Nehemiah. I think that'd be encouraged. Like, how do I repent? How do I continue to pursue after the Lord? I mean, chapter nine is it, right? Like even verses five, stand up and bless the Lord, your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. They recognize God's holiness, who he is. You O Lord are the alone. You are God. You made everything right and it'll continue to go on. You chose your people. All that came out of the reading of the word.

Jeramie: just read chapter nine, read these prayers in Nehemiah. I think that'd be encouraged. Like, how do I repent? How do I continue to pursue after the Lord? I mean, chapter nine is it, right? Like even verses five, stand up and bless the Lord, your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. They recognize God's holiness, who he is. You O Lord are the alone. You are God. You made everything right and it'll continue to go on. You chose your people. All that came out of the reading of the word.

Allen: Right. So the word comes first and then the people are affected. And and you know, in in throughout the history of the church, in times of great revival, you know, people always say, We need revival, we need to pray for revival, we need to plead for revival, we need to fast for revival. And we do, but the way revival has always historically come is by God's holiness being revealed through a fresh commitment to the preaching of Scripture. They think about the Protestant Reformation, the great revival.

Jeramie: Right. So the word comes first and then the people are affected. And and you know, in in throughout the history of the church, in times of great revival, you know, people always say, We need revival, we need to pray for revival, we need to plead for revival, we need to fast for revival. And we do, but the way revival has always historically come is by God's holiness being revealed through a fresh commitment to the preaching of Scripture. They think about the Protestant Reformation, the great revival. think about the first great awakening, you know, it's always through a turning back to the word. I think sometimes today people think revival is sort of something that happens by kind of getting ourselves into an emotional state or something. Yeah, getting hyped up, getting hyped, crowds, masses, manifesting, anointing it, whatever. But it's like, no, you know, you read the word. I mean King Josiah, he found the word. He read the word and it it

Allen: think about the first great awakening, you know, it's always through a turning back to the word. I think sometimes today people think revival is sort of something that happens by kind of getting ourselves into an emotional state or something. Yeah, getting hyped up, getting hyped crowds, masses, manifesting, anointing it, whatever. But it's like, no, you know, you read the word. I mean King Josiah, he found the word. He read the word and it it

Jeramie: Cut him to the heart. Yeah, that's right. you see then Acts two revival, right? Acts two. Yep. three thousand saved just through preaching of the word. Yeah, that's great. So it's always the word that God uses to bring about the kind of repent in chapter eight that you get the repentance in chapter nine. Yeah. It was I think in the first great awakening after you know he preached sinners in the hands of an angry God, I think it was heard that in the streets you could hear people weeping over their sin. Well, yeah. Same thing with you know, Whitfield and Wesley. Yeah.

Allen: Cut him to the heart. Yeah, that's right. you see then Acts two revival, right? That's right. Acts two. Yep. Three thousand saved just through preaching of the word. Yeah, that's great. So it's always the word that God uses to bring about the kind of repent in chapter eight that you get the repentance in chapter nine. Yeah. It was, I think, in the first great awakening after you know he preached sinners in the hands of an angry God. I think it was heard that in the streets you could hear people weeping over their sin. Well, yeah. Same thing with you know, Whitfield and Wesley. Yeah.

Jeramie: but of course, you know, it I think Nehemiah ends on kind of a discouraging note because the people are, you know, by the end of the book are still falling back into old habits and patterns. So so it's also a reminder that, as the Protestant reformers said, the church reformed always reformed. Yeah, that's right. That you have to keep coming back to the word to keep reforming the church. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. Yeah.

Allen: but of course, you know, it I think Nehemiah ends on kind of a discouraging note because the people are, you know, by the end of the book are still falling back into old habits and patterns. So so it's also a reminder that, as the Protestant reformers said, the church reformed always reformed. Yeah, that's right. That you have to keep coming back to the word to keep reforming the church. Yeah. Yeah, that's great. Yeah. see what where we're in Proverbs? yeah, three chapters of Proverbs. Yeah, yeah. So twelve through fourteen again, this this section is, you know, just a lot of little one-liners essentially. Not that there's not a unifying theme in them, but you just get a lot of individual kind of sayings, proverbial sayings. a few that that kind of stood out to me just as a theme as I was going through these proverbs. which is the way of righteousness and the way of destruction. like Proverbs twelve twenty, in the path of righteousness of life, and in its pathway, there is no death.

Jeramie: see what where we're in Proverbs? yeah, three chapters of Proverbs. Yeah, yeah. So twelve through fourteen again, this this section is, you know, just a lot of little one-liners essentially. Not that there's not a unifying theme in them, but you just get a lot of individual kind of sayings, proverbial sayings. a few that that kind of stood out to me just as a theme as I was going through these proverbs. which is the way of righteousness and the way of destruction. like Proverbs twelve twenty, in the path of righteousness of life, and in its pathway, there is no death.

Allen: Just this constant calling, as I was just encouraged, it's like, man, continue to pursue righteousness. I mean, the world, you know, you really f can frame this as like, what does the world tell you versus what does word say? Like, I've heard it said, what does the what does the world say? What does the word say? And how should we walk? So it's like, okay, what's the world gonna say? Pursue riches, pursue wealth, pursue the quick gain, pursue, you know, the things that's gonna put you at the top the quickest. And the proverbs is like, Well, what's the word say? It's like, man, like

Jeramie: Just this constant calling, as I was just encouraged, it's like, man, continue to pursue righteousness. I mean, the world, you know, you really f can frame this as like, what does the world tell you versus what does word say? Like, I've heard it said, what does the what does the world say? What does the word say? And how should we walk? So it's like, okay, what's the world gonna say? Pursue riches, pursue wealth, pursue the quick gain, pursue, you know, the things that's gonna put you at the top the quickest. And the proverbs is like, Well, what's the word say? It's like, man, like

Allen: Pursue righteousness. There's no there's no death in that. Pursue this steadily. continue to seek after the Lord, continue to seek righteous living. And that's what's gonna make you pursue. Even in the eyes of the world, you're gonna seem last. Yeah. Yeah, it's you know, Proverbs is is the story of the two ways. It's very binary book. Yeah. There's the way of wisdom and folly. I think for me, chapter thirteen, I loved the theme of being teachable.

Jeramie: Pursue righteousness. There's no there's no death in that. Pursue this steadily. continue to seek after the Lord, continue to seek righteous living. And that's what's gonna make you pursue. Even in the eyes of the world, you're gonna seem last. Yeah. Yeah, it's you know, Proverbs is is the story of the two ways. It's very binary book. Yeah. There's the way of wisdom and folly. I think for me, chapter thirteen, I loved the theme of being teachable.

Allen: Is my maybe how we'd say it today. You know, a wise chapter 13, verse 1, a wise son responds to his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to a rebuke. Yeah. you know, am I rebukable? Am I teachable? verse 10 arrogance leads to nothing but strife, but wisdom is gained by those who take advice. verse 18, the one who accepts correction.

Jeramie: Is my maybe how we'd say it today. You know, a wise chapter 13, verse 1, a wise son responds to his father's discipline, but a mocker doesn't listen to a rebuke. Yeah. you know, am I rebukable? Am I teachable? verse 10 arrogance leads to nothing but strife, but wisdom is gained by those who take advice. verse 18, the one who accepts correction.

Allen: will be honored. And then, you know, this famous one in chapter fourteen, verse twelve, there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. So you know, and so just because I think something is right and I think I know and I'm passionate about it, it doesn't mean it's right. And so there's there's wisdom to be found in asking for advice from others and in op you know

Jeramie: will be honored. And then, you know, this famous one in chapter fourteen, verse twelve, there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. So you know, and so just because I think something is right and I think I know and I'm passionate about it, it doesn't mean it's right. And so there's there's wisdom to be found in asking for advice from others and in op you know

Allen: Seeking the Lord in his word. And so, you know, I just think that's a that's a theme of why you know, talk about those two ways, one that leads to life, one that leads to death. And the way that leads to life is being a correctable, teachable person. I mean, you think back in your life, like what are things you used to think that you now look back on and be like, Yeah, I don't think that anymore. Like I've I've learned, I've grown. Like, but if I asked myself at that time, I'd have been like, no, I got this. And now I'm like, Wow, I really, you know, have learned, you know how

Jeramie: Seeking the Lord in his word. And so, you know, I just think that's a that's a theme of why you know, talk about those two ways, one that leads to life, one that leads to death. And the way that leads to life is being a correctable, teachable person. I mean, you think back in your life, like what are things you used to think that you now look back on and be like, Yeah, I don't think that anymore. Like I've I've learned, I've grown. Like, but if I asked myself at that time, I'd have been like, no, I got this. And now I'm like, Wow, I really, you know, have learned, you know how

Allen: how how to relate that way to my wife or how to work this way or or even you know to think this way about God. Yeah. It's changed. Yeah. Changed. If I knew now what I knew then, you know? Yeah. Like it reminds me of your sermon, two points. One just Proverbs 14, 15 says, The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Yeah. You preached a great sermon this past Sunday, by the way. Thank you for continuing to bless us. Yeah. First John four one to six, in case you're wondering what sermon that

Jeramie: How how to relate that way to my wife or how to work this way or or even you know to think this way about God. Yeah. It's changed. Yeah. Changed. If I knew now what I knew then, you know? Yeah. Like, yeah. it reminds me of your sermon, two points. one, just Proverbs 14, 15 says, The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. Yeah. You preached a great sermon this past Sunday, by the way. Thank you for continuing to bless us. Yeah. First John 4, 1 to 6, in case you're wondering what sermon that.

Allen: Yeah. Yeah. You can go back, we're they're always on YouTube, go look at Did you title it? Well so I'm terrible at titling sermons. Okay. It's my worst thing. Okay. and well maybe it's not my worst thing. Actually people are like, I don't think that's your worst thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a bad thing. but yeah, I entitled it Test the Spirits. There you go. Sunday, August twenty third is what we're referring to, if you'll be able find it. Yep.

Jeramie: Yeah. Yeah. You can go back, we're they're always on YouTube, go look at Did you title it? Well so I'm terrible at titling sermons. Okay. It's my worst thing. Okay. and well maybe it's not my worst thing. Actually people are like, I don't think that's your worst thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's a bad thing. but yeah, I entitled it Test the Spirits. There you go. Sunday, August twenty third is what we're referring to, if you'll be able find it. Yep.

Allen: but two things that kind of stood out that I think is from the Proverbs, though you didn't mention this, but this is just a biblical wisdom, is the this the testing, right? It's like, man, we can believe everything. And one thing that you brought out was, hey, false prophets, they're not dressed in, you know, spandex and little devil horns. They're crafty, they're smart, they're wise. They're not gonna, you know, blatantly oppose g, you know, Jesus or his word. Right. It's gonna be people that it's just a l truth mixed with air. Yeah. And so just continuing to be on

Jeramie: but two things that kind of stood out that I think is from the Proverbs, though you didn't mention this, but this is just a biblical wisdom, is the this the testing, right? It's like, man, we can believe everything. And one thing that you brought out was, hey, false prophets, they're not dressed in, you know, spandex and little devil horns. They're crafty, they're smart, they're wise. They're not gonna, you know, blatantly oppose g, you know, Jesus or his word. Right. It's gonna be people that it's just a l truth mixed with air. Yeah. And so just continuing to be on

Allen: You know, look out. The simple believes everything. Test the spirits. Do they affirm Christ? Do they affirm biblical wisdom? It's like anything you hear, you can just run it back to the Bible and say, what does God's word say? And just being able to test that and be like, okay, th this is right or it's not. So yeah, I think that's just encouraging to to to bring that out easier. And being willing to pause and test even when you hear somebody who seems like they're rattling off scripture pretty confidently and they seem

Jeramie: You know, look out. The simple believes everything. Test the spirits. Do they affirm Christ? Do they affirm biblical wisdom? It's like anything you hear, you can just run it back to the Bible and say, what does God's word say? And just being able to test that and be like, okay, th this is right or it's not. So yeah, I think that's just encouraging to to to bring that out easier. And being willing to pause and test even when you hear somebody who seems like they're rattling off scripture pretty confidently and they seem

Allen: very kind of magnetic and lots of people like them. And you're like, wow, this book is going everywhere. Everyone's reading it. There must be something to it. Yeah. And it's like, yeah, the thing that there may be to it is that it may be false teaching. Yeah, that's right. That's that's tickling the ears. Tickling, I was gonna say that's their second, yeah, second Timothy tickling the ears. you know, I j you even talk talk about just like, hey, how do we be led by the spirit? Just like, well, here's not how to be led by the spirit, just take your own wisdom.

Jeramie: very kind of magnetic and lots of people like them. And you're like, wow, this book is going everywhere. Everyone's reading it. There must be something to it. Yeah. And it's like, yeah, the thing that there may be to it is that it may be false teaching. Yeah, that's right. That's that's tickling the ears. Tickling, I was gonna say that's their second, yeah, second Timothy tickling the ears. you know, I j you even talk talk about just like, hey, how do we be led by the spirit? Just like, well, here's not how to be led by the spirit, just take your own wisdom.

Allen: Your own advice and then don't go and listen to other people who are gonna say, Hey, don't think that way. That's wrong, right? Like that's a whole listen to yourself, listen to your heart. What does your gut tell you? Yeah, that's right. But you know, again, there's a way that seems right to a person, but that's right. It's and it's the way of death. You know, it's it's so fascinating. We just live in a time where people are so skeptical of the Bible and of authority. Right. But people are so credulous and believing their own instincts. Mm-hmm. And it should be

Jeramie: Your own advice and then don't go and listen to other people who are gonna say, Hey, don't think that way. That's wrong, right? Like that's a whole listen to yourself, listen to your heart. What does your gut tell you? Yeah, that's right. But you know, again, there's a way that seems right to a person, but that's right. It's and it's the way of death. You know, it's it's so fascinating. We just live in a time where people are so skeptical of the Bible and of authority. Right. But people are so credulous and believing their own instincts. Mm-hmm. And it should be

Allen: 180 degrees the opposite. I should have total confidence in God's word and I should be so skeptical of myself. Yeah. That's right. You know, if we really believed in indwelling sin and our sin nature. Yeah. So the world has it opposite, it which is Garden of Eden. Yeah. You know, trust your gut, go with what looks good to you. Don't listen to God's word. And so we we we trust our instincts and our impulses and our impressions. We're like, Yeah, but I feel this. And so it has to be right. It's like, no, you know. Yeah. We we have to

Jeramie: 180 degrees the opposite. I should have total confidence in God's word and I should be so skeptical of myself. Yeah. That's right. You know, if we really believed in indwelling sin and our sin nature. Yeah. So the world has it opposite, it which is Garden of Eden. Yeah. You know, trust your gut, go with what looks good to you. Don't listen to God's word. And so we we we trust our instincts and our impulses and our impressions. We're like, Yeah, but I feel this. And so it has to be right. It's like, no, you know. Yeah. We we have to

Allen: We need wisdom. We need God's word. Authority is external. It's not internal. Yeah. That's great. How would you maybe and maybe like a clear like a one, two, three? Here's the steps to test the spirits. Yeah. To test what you're hearing in accordance with God's word. You church member, it's like, hey, I'm thinking about doing this or I've heard this. What would be like clear s l clearly laid out? Do this, do this, do that. Yeah. I mean, certainly pray. Pray for wisdom. Mm-hmm. God gives wisdom and discernment. Yep.

Jeramie: We need wisdom. We need God's word. Authority is external. It's not internal. Yeah. That's great. How would you maybe and maybe like a clear like a one, two, three? Here's the steps to test the spirits. Yeah. To test what you're hearing in accordance with God's word. You church member, it's like, hey, I'm thinking about doing this or I've heard this. What would be like clear s l clearly laid out? Do this, do this, do that. Yeah. I mean, certainly pray. Pray for wisdom. Mm-hmm. God gives wisdom and discernment. Yep.

Allen: And you know, Lord, give me wisdom. Lord, if I'm off track here, help me understand this. second, you know, you you test everything by scripture, by the gospel. and I would say that would include talking to pastors that you trust or other teachers you trust who who you know their life and you know them and you ask how they understand these scriptures. So it's not just me limiting myself to my knowledge of scripture, but I'm talking to other people on their knowledge of scripture.

Jeramie: And you know, Lord, give me wisdom. Lord, if I'm off track here, help me understand this. second, you know, you you test everything by scripture, by the gospel. and I would say that would include talking to pastors that you trust or other teachers you trust who who you know their life and you know them and you ask how they understand these scriptures. So it's not just me limiting myself to my knowledge of scripture, but I'm talking to other people on their knowledge of scripture.

Allen: and then you know, if it comes to like a teacher or something, you want to check their life. Which by the way, is one of the reasons to be careful about about listening to YouTube prophets and teachers because you don't know their life. Yeah, that's right. You you can't tell their life. You're not in community with them. You don't know if if, you know, because that's a mark of a false prophet is is their life. and then certainly if if someone says things that just don't come true and they claim to be a prophet, like, well that's

Jeramie: and then you know, if it comes to like a teacher or something, you want to check their life. Which by the way, is one of the reasons to be careful about about listening to YouTube prophets and teachers because you don't know their life. Yeah, that's right. You you can't tell their life. You're not in community with them. You don't know if if, you know, because that's a mark of a false prophet is is their life. and then certainly if if someone says things that just don't come true and they claim to be a prophet, like, well that's

Allen: You know, Deuteronomy eighteen says that's not a prophet. Like don't listen. Deuteronomy l eighteen literally says do not listen to them. That's right. So, you know, those would be ways to test what actually it has harsher words. It says that they need to be stoned. Yeah. But we do not live under a theogracy. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. Yeah. cool. Luke. Yeah. Luke. Luke, Luke. Yeah. So this is this is seventeen twenty through nineteen ten. really cool section. Yeah. Some beloved stories. Yeah. Yeah.

Jeramie: You know, Deuteronomy eighteen says that's not a prophet. Like don't listen. Deuteronomy l eighteen literally says do not listen to them. That's right. So, you know, those would be ways to test what actually it has harsher words. It says that they need to be stoned. Yeah. But we do not live under a theogracy. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. Yeah. cool. Luke. Yeah. Luke. Luke, Luke. Yeah. So this is this is seventeen twenty through nineteen ten. really cool section. Yeah. Some beloved stories. Yeah. Yeah.

Allen: You got the well I mean, you know, the the great story on prayer, the parable of persistent widow. the Pharisee and the tax collector. I mean, this is th this is a great story about justification by faith. You know, because the the Pharisees, you know, it says in verse nine, they they wanted to they trusted in their own righteousness and they look down on everyone else. He's like, look at me, look what I do.

Jeramie: You got the well I mean, you know, the the great story on prayer, the parable of persistent widow. the Pharisee and the tax collector. I mean, this is th this is a great story about justification by faith. You know, because the the Pharisees, you know, it says in verse nine, they they wanted to they trusted in their own righteousness and they look down on everyone else. He's like, look at me, look what I do.

Allen: So this is a person who's trying to be justified by his works. But the tax collector just says, Have mercy on me, a sinner. And Jesus says, I tell you this one, that is, the tax collector went to his house justified. So justification is by repentance and faith. It's not by works. so I mean that this is you know, this is the gospel right here. Yeah. and then and then, you know, the great example of that in chapter 19 is Zacchaeus.

Jeramie: So this is a person who's trying to be justified by his works. But the tax collector just says, Have mercy on me, a sinner. And Jesus says, I tell you this one, that is, the tax collector went to his house justified. So justification is by repentance and faith. It's not by works. so I mean that this is you know, this is the gospel right here. Yeah. and then and then, you know, the great example of that in chapter 19 is Zacchaeus.

Allen: Mm-hmm. You know, he's the tax collector who actually comes to Jesus in faith. you know, he stands far off, he's up in the sycamore fig tree. and then Jesus comes to him and says, I want to come to your house today. And he says, Salvation has come to this man's house. But he's repentant, you know. That's right. And his repentance is shown in the fact that he gives back money. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, and that and that that's tied right with the story right be right before it, who when Jesus heals the blind beggar and he goes, Jesus, son of David, have mercy.

Jeramie: Mm-hmm. You know, he's the tax collector who actually comes to Jesus in faith. you know, he stands far off, he's up in the sycamore fig tree. and then Jesus comes to him and says, I want to come to your house today. And he says, Salvation has come to this man's house. But he's repentant, you know. That's right. And his repentance is shown in the fact that he gives back money. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, and that and that that's tied right with the story right be right before it, who when Jesus heals the blind beggar and he goes, Jesus, son of David, have mercy.

Allen: Yeah on me, son of David, had mercy on me. And then immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God in all the people when they saw it gave praise to God. And you see, it's like, yeah, it's repentance and faith. And what happens is when you come to him in faith, people are gonna glorify God for his saving, saving work. Drawing on your sermon again. You mentioned like, what's the greatest miracle that we're experiencing? It's like the miracle of salvation, dead hearts made alive in Christ, following him. Like this is an amazing.

Jeramie: Yeah on me, son of David, had mercy on me. And then immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God in all the people when they saw it gave praise to God. And you see, it's like, yeah, it's repentance and faith. And what happens is when you come to him in faith, people are gonna glorify God for his saving, saving work. Drawing on your sermon again. You mentioned like, what's the greatest miracle that we're experiencing? It's like the miracle of salvation, dead hearts made alive in Christ, following him. Like this is an amazing.

Allen: Miracle. This is the greatest miracle of all time. I didn't know God and now I know God. Yeah. The greatest miracle is the fact that I became a Christian and every day I've woken up since then I remain a Christian. Yeah. Like that's a miracle. That's a miracle. And that's that's because greater is he who is in me, Christ, than he was in the world antichrist. And if Christ wasn't in me, I would I would flop back into the world, you know, in a second. Yeah. Yeah. That's great. One I'm gonna go backwards just a teeny bit, but one thing that

Jeramie: Miracle. This is the greatest miracle of all time. I didn't know God and now I know God. Yeah. The greatest miracle is the fact that I became a Christian and every day I've woken up since then I remain a Christian. Yeah. Like that's a miracle. That's a miracle. And that's that's because greater is he who is in me, Christ, than he was in the world antichrist. And if Christ wasn't in me, I would I would flop back into the world, you know, in a second. Yeah. Yeah. That's great. One I'm gonna go backwards just a teeny bit, but one thing that

Allen: In s in seventeen, w which I think is a really cool section. when Jesus calls back to the old testament, in this theme of water is judgment in in twenty five, but first he must suffer. He's speaking about about about himself. and they'll say to you, Look there or look here, do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But

Jeramie: In s in seventeen, w which I think is a really cool section. when Jesus calls back to the old testament, in this theme of water is judgment in in twenty five, but first he must suffer. He's speaking about about about himself. and they'll say to you, Look there or look here, do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But

Allen: First he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation, just as it was, he's calling back in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. And then he go on t talk about Lot. But I just think it's interesting that this idea of of judgment and persecution of God's righteous people and how he brings about judgment to then bring in

Jeramie: First he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation, just as it was, he's calling back in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. And then he go on t talk about Lot. But I just think it's interesting that this idea of of judgment and persecution of God's righteous people and how he brings about judgment to then bring in

Allen: a new thing, which is this kingdom that he's brought in, which we've talked about a lot previously, but just kind of this upside down nature of the kingdom and that's what's exemplified in our steer in our stories with Zacchaeus and the blind beggar and the and and those who come who are unexpected to be there. All right. Second Timothy I might that was a little rambly. That's good. Yeah. That's fine. That's good. We're just moving us along. Yeah. There we go.

Jeramie: a new thing, which is this kingdom that he's brought in, which we've talked about a lot previously, but just kind of this upside down nature of the kingdom and that's what's exemplified in our steer in our stories with Zacchaeus and the blind beggar and the and and those who come who are unexpected to be there. All right. Second Timothy I might that was a little rambly. That's good. Yeah. That's fine. That's good. We're just moving us along. Yeah. There we go.

Allen: All right, finally, Second Timothy. this is wrapping up Second Timothy. Again, this letter from Paul to his young pastoral protege. And really, Second Timothy is a lot about pastoral ministry and ministry in general, what a healthy pastor looks like. I love what Pastor Bobby said because he's by the way, he's teaching through this in our ABC's adult Bible classes, which happened right before our worship service. And he he was teaching

Jeramie: All right, finally, Second Timothy. this is wrapping up Second Timothy. Again, this letter from Paul to his young pastoral protege. And really, Second Timothy is a lot about pastoral ministry and ministry in general, what a healthy pastor looks like. I love what Pastor Bobby said because he's by the way, he's teaching through this in our ABC's adult Bible classes, which happened right before our worship service. And he he was teaching

Allen: I liked how he said it. He said First Timothy and Titus describe a healthy church. Second Timothy describes a healthy pastor. Yeah, that's right. I thought that was really good. This is about a healthy pastor, which of course applies to the church. And I think lots every Christian can be edified from Second Timothy. But that's kind of the original purpose in writing. Right. Yeah. And he Bobby's category Pastor Bob Bobby's categories where a healthy pastor is he's scriptural, he's strategic, he's steadfast, and he's sober. Sober.

Jeramie: I liked how he said it. He said First Timothy and Titus describe a healthy church. Second Timothy describes a healthy pastor. Yeah, that's right. I thought that was really good. This is about a healthy pastor, which of course applies to the church. And I think lots every Christian can be edified from Second Timothy. But that's kind of the original purpose in writing. Right. Yeah. And he Bobby's category Pastor Bob Bobby's categories where a healthy pastor is he's scriptural, he's strategic, he's steadfast, and he's sober. Sober.

Allen: sober minded. Yeah, sober minded. Yeah, which is not just meaning he doesn't get drunk, but also just that like his you know, his his thinking is steady. He doesn't get caught up in things and his mind doesn't go off on, you know, wild ideas. Yeah. Yeah. So we we finish this letter. so many things in chapter two just about being a a persevering pastor that the pastoral ministry is

Jeramie: sober minded. Yeah, sober minded. Yeah, which is not just meaning he doesn't get drunk, but also just that like his you know, his his thinking is steady. He doesn't get caught up in things and his mind doesn't go off on, you know, wild ideas. Yeah. Yeah. So we we finish this letter. so many things in chapter two just about being a a persevering pastor that the pastoral ministry is

Allen: Hard. It it takes dedication, endurance through suffering. chapter three is is a really important chapter in terms of the doctrine of scripture. Yeah. Because Paul tells Timothy that he needs to hold on to the scriptures, which he's heard from infancy. and here we learn about two things about is really about the the power of scripture.

Jeramie: Hard. It it takes dedication, endurance through suffering. chapter three is is a really important chapter in terms of the doctrine of scripture. Yeah. Because Paul tells Timothy that he needs to hold on to the scriptures, which he's heard from infancy. and here we learn about two things about is really about the the power of scripture.

Allen: He says, in chapter three, verse fourteen, you know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures, here we go, which are able, in other words, which have a capacity and ability to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. So it's through the scriptures that communicate by scripture and by the spirit the ability and the wisdom to be saved. So if we want people to be saved, they need

Jeramie: He says, in chapter three, verse fourteen, you know those who taught you, and you know that from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures, here we go, which are able, in other words, which have a capacity and ability to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. So it's through the scriptures that communicate by scripture and by the spirit the ability and the wisdom to be saved. So if we want people to be saved, they need

Allen: The scriptures. Yeah, that's right. And then he says, verse 16, all scripture is inspired by God. And and you know, you probab maybe have heard this, but that word there means breathed out by God. So this is the inspiration. So my ESV says it's breathed. Yeah, it's literally breathed out by God. Yeah, yeah. God exhales the scripture. So in other words, the Bible we're reading is the word of God and is profitable. In other words, here again, it does something, it's not just words on a page, but just as it can give you wisdom for salvation. So if you're saved, it's profitable.

Jeramie: The scriptures. Yeah, that's right. And then he says, verse 16, all scripture is inspired by God. And and you know, you probab maybe have heard this, but that word there means breathed out by God. So this is the inspiration. So my ESV says it's breathed. Yeah, it's literally breathed out by God. Yeah, yeah. God exhales the scripture. So in other words, the Bible we're reading is the word of God and is profitable. In other words, here again, it does something, it's not just words on a page, but just as it can give you wisdom for salvation. So if you're saved, it's profitable.

Allen: For teaching, rebuking, for correcting, and training in righteousness. So the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. If you want to be equipped to do the work of the ministry and to serve the Lord, you just need the word. The word can make you complete. You don't need the word plus, you know, some some special guru who's gonna give you some special impartation. Yeah, you gotta unlock some special insights, you can finally reach a higher level of spirituality or idea. God's gonna have some anointing that He's gonna give you that you're gonna help go to another level. Yep. No, Paul's like

Jeramie: For teaching, rebuking, for correcting, and training in righteousness. So the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. If you want to be equipped to do the work of the ministry and to serve the Lord, you just need the word. The word can make you complete. You don't need the word plus, you know, some some special guru who's gonna give you some special impartation. Yeah, you gotta unlock some special insights, you can finally reach a higher level of spirituality or idea. God's gonna have some anointing that He's gonna give you that you're gonna help go to another level. Yep. No, Paul's like

Allen: the scriptures makes you complete. That's the equipped for every good work. Yeah, that's right. It's not like equipped for most good works. Yeah. And no wonder then in chapter four, he gives this solemn charge and he says, preach the word. Yep. Be ready. Preach the word, brother. That's right. And and he and Timothy's gotta be ready because people aren't going to want to hear it. You know, verse three.

Jeramie: the scriptures makes you complete. That's the equipped for every good work. Yeah, that's right. It's not like equipped for most good works. Yeah. And no wonder then in chapter four, he gives this solemn charge and he says, Preach the word. Yep. Be ready. Preach the word, brother. That's right. And and he and Timothy's gotta be ready because people aren't going to want to hear it. You know, verse three.

Allen: a time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, we'll multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. And so we, you know, because of that, we have to, those of us who are pastors and anyone who's handling the word, we have to be steadfast in putting our confidence in the scriptures, yeah, not in anything else. And there's always temptations in ministry, especially a pastoral ministry.

Jeramie: a time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, we'll multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. And so we, you know, because of that, we have to, those of us who are pastors and anyone who's handling the word, we have to be steadfast in putting our confidence in the scriptures, yeah, not in anything else. And there's always temptations in ministry, especially a pastoral ministry.

Allen: To think that the power for quote unquote reaching people or the power for seeing souls saved or the power for whatever growing your church is in some other gimmick or idea or strategy. Instead of being like, no, my job is to keep bringing the word of God because that's that is what is able to save and able to equip the saints for the work of ministry.

Jeramie: To think that the power for quote unquote reaching people or the power for seeing souls saved or the power for whatever growing your church is in some other gimmick or idea or strategy. Instead of being like, No, my job is to keep bringing the word of God because that's that is what is able to save and able to equip the saints for the work of ministry. so we call this in theological categories the sufficiency of scripture. Yeah.

Allen: so we call this in theological categories the sufficiency of scripture. Yeah. The scripture is sufficient. But the spirit will work through the word to bring It has everything you need for life, for godliness, for knowing God, and to live the faithful Christian life. Yeah. Exactly. That's exactly right. So I think, you know, this this passage is great, not only 'cause it teaches that scripture is inspired by God, but this is the thing that I think we as Christians sometimes get lose our nerve on, is that it's sufficient. Mm-hmm and it's enough. Yeah.

Jeramie: The scripture is sufficient. That the Spirit will work through the Word. It has everything you need for life, for godliness, for knowing God, and to live the faithful Christian life. Yeah. Exactly. That's exactly right. So I think, you know, this this passage is great, not only because it teaches that scripture is inspired by God, but this is the thing that I think we as Christians sometimes get lose our nerve on, is that it's sufficient and it's enough. Yeah.

Allen: And this is what people need. This is what real Christians need is is the the pure

Jeramie: And this is what people need. This is what real Christians need is is the the pure.

Allen: food of the word. Yeah. Yeah. I heard it said one time, I want to hear your take on this, in in commenting of the itching ears, right? It's like in those days, the last days, there'll be itching ears and people satisf you know, these false prophets and teachers will satisfy people's itching ears. he was commenting on how this is why false teachers are raised up.

Jeramie: Food of the word. Yeah. Yeah. I heard it said one time, I want to hear your take on this in in commenting of the itching ears, right? It's like in those days, the last days, there'll be itching ears, and people satisfy you know, these false prophets and teachers will satisfy people's itching ears. he was commenting on how this is why false teachers are raised up, like why Satan uses these people and raises them up to satisfy those people. Yeah. It's like

Allen: Like why Satan uses these people and raises them up to satisfy those people. Yeah. It's like, whoa. I'd never really thought about that. It's like that's why th they're able to be profit profitable. Yeah, yeah. Not actually prop, but it's like you're gonna because they can go satisfy those people and that's how they're gonna get their following. And I'm like, man, yeah. Yeah, it's like there's a ready market. Yeah, there's a ready market. There's gonna be people to listen, man. Yeah, that's right. And if it weren't for the the grace of God in my life, I'd be a part of that.

Jeramie: Whoa, I'd never really thought about that. It's like that's why though they're able to be profitable profitable. Yeah, yeah. Not actually prop, but it's like you're gonna because they can go satisfy those people and that's how they're gonna get their following. And I'm like, man, yeah, yeah. It's like there's a ready market. Yeah, there's a ready market. There are gonna be people to listen, man. Yeah, that's right. And if it weren't for the the grace of God in my life, I'd be a part of that market. yeah, 100%. I'd I'd want to hear, you know, what I want to hear. yeah. I'd want my sin nature wants to hear certain things. Yeah, yeah. maybe we can.

Allen: yeah, 100%. I'd I'd want to hear, you know, what I want to hear. yeah. I'd want my sin nature wants to hear certain things. Yeah. Yeah. maybe we can close on this. This is some of I think maybe to the discouraged Christian, as I've been at times. Maybe you've been discouraged in your Christian walk before. verse ten in in in chapter two says ten through thirteen, therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect that also

Jeramie: Close on this. This is some of I think maybe to the discouraged Christian, as I've been at times. Maybe you've been discouraged in your Christian walk before. verse 10 in in in chapter two says 10 through 13, therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect that also they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for if we have died with him, we will also live with him.

Allen: They may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy. For if we have died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. God cannot deny himself. He is faithful to bring about to completion what he has started, and that that is an in unshakable glory.

Jeramie: If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. God cannot deny himself. He is faithful to bring about to completion what he has started, and that that is an in unshakable glory that he will see it through. And I just think that's such an encouragement for the Christian that hey, he's gonna remain faithful. You're gonna stumble, you're gonna sin, keep turning back to him.

Allen: that he will see it through. And I just think that's such an encouragement for the Christian that hey, he's gonna remain faithful. You're gonna stumble, you're gonna sin, keep turning back to him. He'll he's faithful to finish the work he started.

Jeramie: He'll f he's faithful to finish the work he started.

Allen: Well, we are continue to be encouraged. we keep getting great just feedback by people who are reading the plan, listening to the podcast and seeing the word of God do the work. So we're just praising God for you guys. We love you guys and this has been another episode of the SC C Saver Podcast. Check us out on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, and we'll see you next time.

Jeramie: Well, we are continue to be encouraged. we keep getting great just feedback by people who are reading the plan, listening to the podcast and seeing the word of God do the work. So we're just praising God for you guys. We love you guys and this has been another episode of the SC C Saver Podcast. Check us out on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, and we'll see you next time.