EP 14: SCC Savor, Month 4, Days 1-6

Allen Smith: Welcome, welcome, welcome back. It's your favorite podcast, the SCC Saver, where we're savoring God through every bite of scripture. I'm one of your co-hosts, Alan Smith, and I'm joined with my good friend, Jeremy Rennie, senior pastor of the best church on the East Coast. Or West Coast. Or West Coast. Which coast are we on? ⁓ yeah, you're right. Well, I guess technically, to most people this would be like this.

Jeramie: Welcome, welcome, welcome back. It's your favorite podcast, the SCC Saver, where we're savoring God through every bite of scripture. I'm one of your co-hosts, Alan Smith, and I'm joined with my good friend, Jeremy Rennie, senior pastor of the best church on the East Coast. Or West Coast. Or West Coast. Which coast are we on? ⁓ yeah, you're right. Well, I guess technically, to most people this would be like this.

Allen Smith: People call this the East Coast in most of the country, but we call this the West Coast. that's right. It's the Gulf Coast. It's the Gulf Coast. Dude, I watched a video yesterday of like the deadliest hurricane camera footage. Yeah. And, you know, obviously Ian was on there. Yeah. Dude, I was looking at that. That looked insane, bro. It's bananas. There's a famous one of time lapse where it shows the waters rising on Fort Myers Beach that like when people are like, what was it like or whatever, I just show them that because it's, yeah, it's spooky. Yeah.

Jeramie: People call this the East Coast in most of the country, but we call this the West Coast. that's right. It's the Gulf Coast. It's the Gulf Coast. Dude, I watched a video yesterday of like the deadliest hurricane camera footage. Yeah. And, you know, obviously Ian was on there. Yeah. Dude, I was looking at that. That looked insane, bro. It's bananas. There's a famous one of time lapse where it shows the waters rising on Fort Myers Beach that like when people are like, what was it like or whatever, I just show them that because it's, yeah, it's spooky. Yeah.

Allen Smith: Some guy was like in his high-rise, like didn't evacuate. You just see the water ripping through, like there's no ground. You can't see anything. Yeah. It's just unbelievable. It's just like... It's unbelievable. I can't imagine that. It's just like, I can't imagine, I walk around Santa Belle, ride my bike or whatever, and like, I couldn't imagine, I would be completely underwater. Yeah, I do that. Like sometimes when people are here and they're like, what was it like, whatever, like I'll be standing outside my house on the street with them and I'll be like, right now you'd be underwater. That's funny. Yeah.

Jeramie: Some guy was like in his high-rise, like didn't evacuate. You just see the water ripping through, like there's no ground. You can't see anything. Yeah. It's just unbelievable. It's just like... It's unbelievable. I can't imagine that. It's just like, I can't imagine, I walk around Santa Belle, ride my bike or whatever, and like, I couldn't imagine, I would be completely underwater. Yeah, I do that. Like sometimes when people are here and they're like, what was it like, whatever, like I'll be standing outside my house on the street with them and I'll be like, right now you'd be underwater. That's funny. Yeah.

Allen Smith: I have a question for you. Okay. What do you think about AI? Wow Small small but but powerful but the power of it comes from From a lack of obedience. That's what I mean ultimately. Okay, cuz God is not You know, he's not behind it. ⁓ you know What are you talking about? I just asked by AI. Yeah

Jeramie: I have a question for you. Okay. What do you think about AI? Wow Small small but but powerful but the power of it comes from From a lack of obedience. That's what I mean ultimately. Okay, cuz God is not You know, he's not behind it. ⁓ you know What are you talking about? I just asked by AI. Yeah

Allen Smith: Aren't you talking about Joshua? I the city of I What bro AI? What? AI you mean Joshua the new book we just started. Oh not I'm a artificial intelligence Oh, you're thinking about the Bible. Oh, yeah, that's right. You're a pastor that makes sense You're thinking about the Bible all the time. There we go. All right, Joshua new book AI it's it's not actually AI though. Is it AI? I think it was one of our most rad intros ever

Jeramie: Aren't you talking about Joshua? I the city of I What bro AI? What? AI you mean Joshua the new book we just started. Oh not I'm a artificial intelligence Oh, you're thinking about the Bible. Oh, yeah, that's right. You're a pastor that makes sense You're thinking about the Bible all the time. There we go. All right, Joshua new book AI it's it's not actually AI though. Is it AI? I think it was one of our most rad intros ever Okay, welcome. We're getting back into our Navigators Bible reading plan. You would have read, this is month four, so a new month. Congratulations, you're on a new month. You would have read Joshua 1-14 and Psalms 72-77, 1 Corinthians 1-5 and Mark 1-2. So we got three new books. Three new books we got to kick off. Yeah, so let's comment a little bit about

Allen Smith: Okay, welcome. We're getting back into our Navigators Bible reading plan. You would have read, this is month four, so a new month. Congratulations, you're on a new month. You would have read Joshua 1-14 and Psalms 72-77, 1 Corinthians 1-5 and Mark 1-2. So we got three new books. Three new books we got to kick off. Yeah, so let's comment a little bit about Joshua just to kind of remind you where we are in the story of the Old Testament story of Israel We've now got a new leader. We've transitioned from Moses and now we've got Joshua And then this is also a new generation. This is not the one who had left Egypt that crossed the Jordan River ⁓ But now this is a new generation ⁓ Sorry, the new generation that crossed the Jordan River to enter into the promised land of Canaan and so ⁓ We've got a new leader new generation Joshua that's our main

Jeramie: Joshua just to kind of remind you where we are in the story of the Old Testament story of Israel We've now got a new leader. We've transitioned from Moses and now we've got Joshua And then this is also a new generation. This is not the one who had left Egypt that crossed the Jordan River ⁓ But now this is a new generation ⁓ Sorry, the new generation that crossed the Jordan River to enter into the promised land of Canaan and so ⁓ We've got a new leader new generation Joshua that's our main

Allen Smith: main character here is actually interesting. His name literally means the Lord saves or Yahweh saves. And so we see this is actually the name of Jesus in his Hebrew name. So Jesus is an English translation of the Greek, which I can't say it's like Eosus or Jesus. Yeah, Jesus. So yeah, we get this name that's like, hey, Yahweh saves, Lord saves. And that's what we'll start to see ⁓ in this book. And so, yeah, we have covenant promises between Joshua,

Jeramie: main character here is actually interesting. His name literally means the Lord saves or Yahweh saves. And so we see this is actually the name of Jesus in his Hebrew name. So Jesus is an English translation of the Greek, which I can't say it's like Eosus or Jesus. Yeah, Jesus. So yeah, we get this name that's like, hey, Yahweh saves, Lord saves. And that's what we'll start to see ⁓ in this book. And so, yeah, we have covenant promises between Joshua

Allen Smith: people of God will see him deliver. So here's like a one sentence, here's the purpose of Joshua as we're reading. The purpose of the book of Joshua is to show the fulfillment of God's promise to the patriarchs to give the land of Canaan to their descendants. so really this is key to see that Joshua is fulfilling and rolling out things that were promised way back in Genesis. So we begin to see this is a ⁓ consistent story that's unfolding here.

Jeramie: people of God will see him deliver. So here's like a one sentence, here's the purpose of Joshua as we're reading. The purpose of the book of Joshua is to show the fulfillment of God's promise to the patriarchs to give the land of Canaan to their descendants. so really this is key to see that Joshua is fulfilling and rolling out things that were promised way back in Genesis. So we begin to see this is a ⁓ consistent story that's unfolding here.

Allen Smith: Yeah, and so as we're reading this story What are some of the things that we're gonna see maybe just at a you know broad metad narrative? Theological themes that we're gonna see in Joshua as we're reading one of the first ones It's maybe as you're already reading can sometimes be disturbing to modern readers. Yes this idea of holy war right I mean, it's a lot of killing and Josh. It's a lot of bloodshed and it turns people off because

Jeramie: Yeah, and so as we're reading this story What are some of the things that we're gonna see maybe just at a you know broad metad narrative? Theological themes that we're gonna see in Joshua as we're reading one of the first ones It's maybe as you're already reading can sometimes be disturbing to modern readers. Yes this idea of holy war right I mean, it's a lot of killing and Josh. It's a lot of bloodshed and it turns people off because

Allen Smith: know, war, and the idea that God is commanding this war. And I think especially we live in times where we have seen people do terrible things and kill other people in the name of God. And so, it's like, well, how is this any different? Here's like a people who wiped out multiple people groups all in the name of God. And it's like, well, is this good? Is this like the jihad in the Bible? Like, what is this?

Jeramie: know, war, and the idea that God is commanding this war. And I think especially we live in times where we have seen people do terrible things and kill other people in the name of God. And so, it's like, well, how is this any different? Here's like a people who wiped out multiple people groups all in the name of God. And it's like, well, is this good? Is this like the jihad in the Bible? Like, what is this?

Allen Smith: Yeah, so what would you say maybe to the modern reader as they're thinking about these things that maybe makes that claim? It's like, well, this God just commanded war. Yeah. What would, what would as being trying to be faithful Christians who subject themselves to the word? It's a tough question. I would go back several steps because there's several presuppositions behind this. You know, A, is there a God? If people don't believe there's a God, like, of course, none of this makes sense. Yeah. B, does this God

Jeramie: Yeah, so what would you say maybe to the modern reader as they're thinking about these things that maybe makes that claim? It's like, well, this God just commanded war. Yeah. What would, what would as being trying to be faithful Christians who subject themselves to the word? It's a tough question. I would go back several steps because there's several presuppositions behind this. You know, A, is there a God? If people don't believe there's a God, then like, of course, none of this makes sense. Yeah. B, does this God

Allen Smith: have the right to judge us? And most Christians are like, yeah, of course he does. Okay. C, then, does he have the right to judge us as he pleases? Can he send a flood? Can he send fire from heaven? Can he judge any way he wants? Yeah. Then D, does that, you know, therefore, you know, here's the conclusion, could he not choose to judge by the sword wielded by others? Yeah. So, and that's...

Jeramie: have the right to judge us? And most Christians are like, yeah, of course he does. Okay. C, then, does he have the right to judge us as he pleases? Can he send a flood? Can he send fire from heaven? Can he judge any way he wants? Yeah. Then D, does that, you know, therefore, you know, here's the conclusion, could he not choose to judge by the sword wielded by others? Yeah. So, and that's...

Allen Smith: And that's essentially what we have in Joshua with the wiping out of the Canaanites is that God is bringing final judgment on them. But rather than sending a flood or a fire or a plague or locust, he's sending his own people with the sword. ⁓ And, you know, again, it's like, well, maybe other people claim to be doing that in God's name. yeah, people's people claims all kinds of crazy things, but there's only Israelites that had like

Jeramie: And that's essentially what we have in Joshua with the wiping out of the Canaanites is that God is bringing final judgment on them. But rather than sending a flood or a fire or a plague or locust, he's sending his own people with the sword. ⁓ And, you know, again, it's like, well, maybe other people claim to be doing that in God's name. yeah, people's people claims all kinds of crazy things, but there's only Israelites that had like

Allen Smith: the river part for them. and the very specific people who actually heard the voice of the Lord spoken through their leader. Confirmed by great and mighty miracles. I mean, you know, as they're coming into the promised land, you know, when they go to Jericho and they the spies in, they say, we've all heard what you did, how God led you out of Egypt. Like, we know the miracle. So this isn't just some crackpot claiming in the name of God to do something. These are people who... So it's a unique thing. It's a unique circumstance.

Jeramie: the river part for them. and the very specific people who actually heard the voice of the Lord spoken through their leader. Confirmed by great and mighty miracles. I mean, you know, as they're coming into the promised land, you know, when they go to Jericho and they the spies in, they say, we've all heard what you did, how God led you out of Egypt. Like, we know the miracle. So this isn't just some crackpot claiming in the name of God to do something. These are people who... So it's a unique thing. It's a unique circumstance.

Allen Smith: And it's not just because someone claimed to have a revelation. Yeah, exactly right. And speaking of revelation, this is a revelation he gives to Joshua. So there's some really encouraging ⁓ things in here he's going to give to Joshua. And as you mentioned, God's judgment as he pleases, you're actually going to see the mercy of God displayed at the same time with the story of Rahab. Yes. Right. And so so you see Joshua, hey, have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. So he promises to be with them.

Jeramie: And it's not just because someone claimed to have a revelation. Yeah, exactly right. And speaking of revelation, this is a revelation he gives to Joshua. So there's some really encouraging ⁓ things in here he's going to give to Joshua. And as you mentioned, God's judgment as he pleases, you're actually going to see the mercy of God displayed at the same time with the story of Rahab. Yes. Right. And so so you see Joshua, hey, have I not commanded you be strong and courageous, do not be frightened and do not be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. So he promises to be with them.

Allen Smith: If they obey God's word. If they obey God's word. And so that's a huge theme is their dependency upon obeying the law of Moses now handed down to Joshua to give to the people of Israel to follow. That's right. And so we'll see them actually start to get defeated in some battles. Well, going back to ⁓ Ai, right? You know, they should have been able to defeat Ai like with one hand tied behind their backs. There's a little like podunk village. And suddenly that village owns them. Yeah.

Jeramie: If they obey God's word. If they obey God's word. And so that's a huge theme is their dependency upon obeying the law of Moses now handed down to Joshua to give to the people of Israel to follow. That's right. And so we'll see them actually start to get defeated in some battles. Well, going back to ⁓ Ai, right? You know, they should have been able to defeat Ai like with one hand tied behind their backs. There's a little like podunk village. And suddenly that village owns them. Yeah.

Allen Smith: in battle and they're fleeing before them and it's like why they disobeyed God's command to completely destroy everything in Jericho and not take any loot. Right. ⁓ So you see that wow this whole thing is totally dependent upon whether God's with him or not. Yeah exactly right. ⁓ The mercy of God displayed in Rahab. Rahab is a prostitute in Jericho who actually took the two spies. So this is actually a call back to numbers 14 right when we had two spies Caleb, Joshua.

Jeramie: in battle and they're fleeing before them and it's like why? They disobeyed God's command to completely destroy everything in Jericho and not take any loot. So you see that, wow, this whole thing is totally dependent upon whether God's with them or not. Yeah, exactly right. ⁓ The mercy of God displayed in Rahab. Rahab is a prostitute in Jericho who ⁓ actually took the two spies, so this is actually a call back to Numbers 14, right, when we had two spies, Caleb, Joshua.

Allen Smith: when they were the only two that were faithful. And then we now have Rahab who actually hides the spies because she had heard about Yahweh. She says, I know that the Lord Yahweh has given you the land that the fear of you has fallen upon us and all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you and when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to Seihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And so

Jeramie: when they were the only two that were faithful. And then we now have Rahab who actually hides the spies because she had heard about Yahweh. She says, I know that the Lord Yahweh has given you the land that the fear of you has fallen upon us and all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you. And when you came out of Egypt and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond Jordan to see hone and ogue whom you devoted to destruction. And so

Allen Smith: She had heard about the miraculous works of Yahweh and decided to be faithful to the God of Israel. And what did God do with Rahab? That's right. Saved her. And really, this might be a conversion moment where she says, for the Lord your God, this is in Joshua 2.11, the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. It's kind like when Ruth says, your God will be my God. And so I think it's her switching allegiances to the God of Israel, which is why she saved.

Jeramie: She had heard about the miraculous works of Yahweh and decided to be faithful to the God of Israel. And what did God do with Rahab? That's right. Saved her. And really, this might be a conversion moment where she says, for the Lord your God, this is in Joshua 2.11, the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below. It's kind like when Ruth says, your God will be my God. And so I think it's her switching allegiances to the God of Israel, which is why she saved.

Allen Smith: By the way, don't you love Sihon and Og as names? This is random. I always think I would love to get two pugs and name them Sihon and Og. Dude, dude, that's so unfitting. You need like bulldogs or like pit bulls. This is a war. These are war dogs. That's makes it even funnier. Inconsistency. Little pugs. know. ugly. Sihon Og. Get off the couch. The are so ugly. They are. They're so weird. Sorry if you have a pug.

Jeramie: By the way, don't you love Sihon and Og as names? This is random. I always think I would love to get two pugs and name them Sihon and Og. Dude, dude, that's so unfitting. You need like bulldogs or like pit bulls. This is a war. These are war dogs. That's makes it even funnier. Inconsistency. Little pugs. know. ugly. Sihon Og. Get off the couch. The are so ugly. They are. They're so weird. Sorry if you have a pug.

Allen Smith: No offense. All right. So hey one thing that I think is interesting in in Joshua is the memorial stones from the Jordan the 12 Memorial stones. Yeah, it's like man This is this is a when your children ask in time to come what do those stones mean to you? Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord again symbol that the Lord is with them when it

Jeramie: No offense. All right. So hey one thing that I think is interesting in in Joshua is the memorial stones from the Jordan the 12 Memorial stones. Yeah, it's like man This is this is a when your children ask in time to come what do those stones mean to you? Then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord again symbol that the Lord is with them when it

Allen Smith: passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off, so these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever. Isn't it interesting how often God sets up memorials, know, the Passover feast, the stones. I mean, for us, the Lord's Supper that we're called to observe regularly and to be a memorial for us, which tells us that we have a problem remembering what God has done. And we get caught up in the drama of the moment. And that's why we need to be in the Word.

Jeramie: passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off, so these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever. Isn't it interesting how often God sets up memorials, know, the Passover feast, the stones. I mean, for us, the Lord's Supper that we're called to observe regularly and to be a memorial for us, which tells us that we have a problem remembering what God has done. And we get caught up in the drama of the moment. And that's why we need to be in the Word.

Allen Smith: because we're reading these stories and reminding us this is who our God is. That's why we need to be in church to take the Lord's Supper, to hear the preaching of God's Word, and it's just reminding us so that we don't do what Israel's going to do, which is fall away and forget the Lord. Exactly right. Is there anything that you do to remind your children, your kids, church, I mean, this is the command given to the people of like, remember what the Lord has done. ⁓ How would you, maybe someone looking, hey, maybe someone on here does that, let us know, or anything that you've done.

Jeramie: because we're reading these stories and reminding us this is who our God is. That's why we need to be in church to take the Lord's Supper, to hear the preaching of God's Word, and it's just reminding us so that we don't do what Israel's going to do, which is fall away and forget the Lord. Exactly right. Is there anything that you do to remind your children, your kids, church, I mean, this is the command given to the people of like, remember what the Lord has done. ⁓ How would you, maybe someone looking, hey, maybe someone on here does that, let us know, or anything that you've done.

Allen Smith: ⁓ to remind people what this is what the Lord has done in my life to encourage. Yeah, think it's Sorry, that's the idea of testimony though. Like this past Easter service. we had to, we had John and Preston get up on there and tell people what the Lord has done in their life. Yeah, and I think it's why it's important to have spiritual conversations among the church. You know, sometimes in church we talk about we need to have fellowship. But I think people sometimes think fellowship is just socializing. Socializing is not fellowship. That's right.

Jeramie: ⁓ to remind people what this is what the Lord has done in my life to encourage. Yeah, think it's Sorry, that's the idea of testimony though. Like this past Easter service. we had to, we had John and Preston get up on there and tell people what the Lord has done in their life. Yeah, and I think it's why it's important to have spiritual conversations among the church. You know, sometimes in church we talk about we need to have fellowship. But I think people sometimes think fellowship is just socializing. Socializing is not fellowship. That's right.

Allen Smith: Fellowship is ⁓ the spiritual bond we have through the Holy Spirit that we use to edify one another. And so spiritual conversation is one where we're trying to build each other up. And part of that is just sharing what God has done. And then that encourages each of us as we bear witness to God's faithfulness. Yeah, exactly right. So tell your brothers and sisters about what the Lord has done in your life. Just a little encouragement. Hey, this is what God did for me. One maybe quick note.

Jeramie: Fellowship is ⁓ the spiritual bond we have through the Holy Spirit that we use to edify one another. And so spiritual conversation is one where we're trying to build each other up. And part of that is just sharing what God has done. And then that encourages each of us as we bear witness to God's faithfulness. Yeah, exactly right. So tell your brothers and sisters about what the Lord has done in your life. Just a little encouragement. Hey, this is what God did for me. One maybe quick note.

Allen Smith: On Josh as we're moving through again, their dependency upon the Lord and the Lord promising to be them is we see the sin of Achan actually obliterate Israel. Meaning he took the loot, he did what the Lord told them not to do and it just absolutely affected the entire covenant community of Israel because of this one man sin. ⁓ so we see the There sin in the camp. There was sin in the camp and devastation. And he was put to death. He was-

Jeramie: On Josh as we're moving through again, their dependency upon the Lord and the Lord promising to be them is we see the sin of Achan actually obliterate Israel. Meaning he took the loot, he did what the Lord told them not to do and it just absolutely affected the entire covenant community of Israel because of this one man sin. ⁓ so we see the There sin in the camp. There was sin in the camp and devastation. And he was put to death. He was-

Allen Smith: stoned and then burned. Which, you know, I know we're kind of like, we're bouncing around here a little bit, but that again just reinforces that Israel's ⁓ holy war on the Canaanites was only by the empowerment of God because it was God doing it. That the second they stopped obeying God, they lost all ability to do this. So it's not a case of just some people who want to take over some other people and just use God as their excuse.

Jeramie: stoned and then burned. Which, you know, I know we're kind of like, we're bouncing around here a little bit, but that again just reinforces that Israel's ⁓ holy war on the Canaanites was only by the empowerment of God because it was God doing it. That the second they stopped obeying God, they lost all ability to do this. So it's not a case of just some people who want to take over some other people and just use God as their excuse.

Allen Smith: This is God sending a people who literally have no fighting chance, pun intended, unless God is with them, because it's his power and his work that they're carrying out. that's great in there. remembering that these nations that they're defeating are wicked. Yes. But they can be like Rahab and turn to the God of Israel and be spared. Well, and the patriarchs are told that, ⁓ you know, that ⁓

Jeramie: This is God sending a people who literally have no fighting chance, pun intended, unless God is with them, because it's his power and his work that they're carrying out. that's great in there. remembering that these nations that they're defeating are wicked. Yes. But they can be like Rahab and turn to the God of Israel and be spared. Well, and the patriarchs are told that, ⁓ you know, that ⁓

Allen Smith: The Israelites will be captives in the land of Egypt for 400 years, and after that they'll be brought out. And then there's this line, because the sin of the Amorites is yet to be filled up. And so, the sin of the Amorites is the Canaanites, and so God waits that time because now the judgment is ripe. It's kind of like at the flood, where God says, I've had enough, it's time to judge. And so now it's time to judge the Canaanites. Yeah, exactly right. So, as you continue to read through Joshua, see God's promises to His people, see him...

Jeramie: The Israelites will be captives in the land of Egypt for 400 years, and after that they'll be brought out. And then there's this line, because the sin of the Amorites is yet to be filled up. And so, the sin of the Amorites is the Canaanites, and so God waits that time because now the judgment is ripe. It's kind of like at the flood, where God says, I've had enough, it's time to judge. And so now it's time to judge the Canaanites. Yeah, exactly right. So, as you continue to read through Joshua, see God's promises to His people, see him...

Allen Smith: delivers, see God as holy, see their obedience to the law and what happens, and then when they disobey the law and what happens. Continuing on in the Psalms. ⁓ I love Psalm 73 because ⁓ this guy, Asaph, he gets jealous about what seems like the prosperity of the wicked. This is a problem Christians have. It's like, why is it that people who don't love God, who don't love Jesus, who live

Jeramie: delivers, see God as holy, see their obedience to the law and what happens, and then when they disobey the law and what happens. Continuing on in the Psalms. ⁓ I love Psalm 73 because ⁓ this guy, Asaph, he gets jealous about what seems like the prosperity of the wicked. This is a problem Christians have. It's like, why is it that people who don't love God, who don't love Jesus, who live

Allen Smith: a godless life, sometimes are rich and successful and happy and healthy, and everything seems to be going good. And that's what he wrestles with in Psalm 73. But, you know, his solution then is when he finally comes to the house of the Lord. And he meditates on it in God's house and realizes that their end will come suddenly and dramatically. And so there is a judgment in a

Jeramie: a godless life, sometimes are rich and successful and happy and healthy, and everything seems to be going good, and that's what he wrestles with in Psalm 73. But, you know, his solution then is when he finally comes to the house of the Lord, and he meditates on it in God's house and realizes that their end will come suddenly and dramatically. And so there is a judgment in a

Allen Smith: final accounting, which we've talked about before. God's ultimate answer to the problem of evil is judgment. And so that's what Psalm 73 reminds us is whatever apparent blessing that the wicked seem to have or those who reject God seem to have, it is very temporary and it will go away in a snap, in a heartbeat. Yeah, I think that's interesting because I know I'm using a theme from the New Testament to bring in the Old Testament is in some of the pastoral epistles there's false teachers

Jeramie: final accounting, which we've talked about before. God's ultimate answer to the problem of evil is judgment. And so that's what Psalm 73 reminds us is whatever apparent blessing that the wicked seem to have or those who reject God seem to have, it is very temporary and it will go away in a snap, in a heartbeat. Yeah, I think that's interesting because I know I'm using a theme from the New Testament to bring in the Old Testament is in some of the pastoral epistles there's false teachers

Allen Smith: and people that seem to be maybe prosperous. And then Paul writes, hey, encourage your brothers and sisters that the return of Christ is going to happen. You'll be raised up with him and then the wicked will be destroyed. So the judgment is supposed to be an encouragement. Yeah, that's right. It's a warning, but with hope. And the reason God hasn't brought the judgment so far is His mercy and waiting for the world to repent and turn back to Him. Yeah, He's patient.

Jeramie: and people that seem to be maybe prosperous. And then Paul writes, hey, encourage your brothers and sisters that the return of Christ is going to happen. You'll be raised up with him and then the wicked will be destroyed. So the judgment is supposed to be an encouragement. Yeah, that's right. It's a warning, but with hope. And the reason God hasn't brought the judgment so far is His mercy and waiting for the world to repent and turn back to Him. Yeah, He's patient.

Allen Smith: When I read Psalm 77, I this was interesting. Another Psalm of Asaph, which because he's crying out to God to hear him. So that's how he starts. He's like, he's crying out to God. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. He's distressed. He's troubled. He goes, Lord, ⁓ you know, when I remember God, I moan. When I meditate, my spirit faints. And he's kind of just torn before the Lord.

Jeramie: When I read Psalm 77, I this was interesting. Another Psalm of Asaph, which because he's crying out to God to hear him. So that's how he starts. He's like, he's crying out to God. I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. He's distressed. He's troubled. He goes, Lord, ⁓ you know, when I remember God, I moan. When I meditate, my spirit faints. And he's kind of just torn before the Lord.

Allen Smith: He's like, has this steadfast love forever ceased? It's like, has God's love for me ceased? And then at the end, he switches to verse 13, your way, O God is holy. What God is great like our God. It's because he remembers his character. He remembers the deeds of Yahweh. Same thing. We, I remember the deeds of the Lord. Yes, I remember your wonders of old. We just talked about this. He's forgotten what the Lord has done for him. But when he fixes his eyes on what he's done for him and on his character, he goes, wait, who's great like this God, my God.

Jeramie: He's like, has this steadfast love forever ceased? It's like, has God's love for me ceased? And then at the end, he switches to verse 13, your way, O God is holy. What God is great like our God. It's because he remembers his character. He remembers the deeds of Yahweh. Same thing. We, I remember the deeds of the Lord. Yes, I remember your wonders of old. We just talked about this. He's forgotten what the Lord has done for him. But when he fixes his eyes on what he's done for him and on his character, he goes, wait, who's great like this God, my God.

Allen Smith: our God. the answer... it's interesting what he specifically points out in verses 16 to 20 is the Exodus from Egypt. Yeah. So here's Asaph, and he's remembering like a good Israelite, the faithfulness of God in the book of Exodus that we read, and Joshua, and he's looking back and he's like, that's our God. He's faithful then, he's still faithful now. And so he battles his...

Jeramie: our God. the answer... it's interesting what he specifically points out in verses 16 to 20 is the Exodus from Egypt. Yeah. So here's Asaph, and he's remembering like a good Israelite, the faithfulness of God in the book of Exodus that we read, and Joshua, and he's looking back and he's like, that's our God. He's faithful then, he's still faithful now. And so he battles his...

Allen Smith: ⁓ sense of God's absence by remembering the past acts of God. Yeah, exactly right. 16 and 20 is pretty marvelous. It's literally his power, God's power makes the earth shake, right? The earth fears him. I'm like, whoa, even the wind and the waves obey. The waters obey. The seas obey this God. And then in the end, again, recalling the Exodus, you led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Yeah. And it's like, if he was with his people then

Jeramie: ⁓ sense of God's absence by remembering the past acts of God. Yeah, exactly right. 16 and 20 is pretty marvelous. It's literally his power, God's power makes the earth shake, right? The earth fears him. I'm like, whoa, even the wind and the waves obey. The waters obey. The seas obey this God. And then in the end, again, recalling the Exodus, you led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Yeah. And it's like, if he was with his people then

Allen Smith: He's still with me now. And so I'm going through tumultuous times. I feel like God is there. But, you know, we can't go by what we're feeling. We have to go by what God's word reminds us. We got to go to that pile of stones. Exactly. like, God is still our God. Yeah. One of the things, as again, we're kind of talking about memorial stones here. If you have this in your practice, great. If not, maybe to consider, is you remember the acts of God. If you keep a journal.

Jeramie: He's still with me now. And so I'm going through tumultuous times. I feel like God is there. But, you know, we can't go by what we're feeling. We have to go by what God's word reminds us. We got to go to that pile of stones. Exactly. like, God is still our God. Yeah. One of the things, as again, we're kind of talking about memorial stones here. If you have this in your practice, ⁓ great. If not, maybe to consider, is you remember the acts of God. If you keep a journal.

Allen Smith: in your Bible reading, just write down one thing a day. This is what the Lord did for me today. Even if it's a week. This is what the Lord did for me this week. And at some point, just go look back at it. You're having a hard time. You're having a hard day. Go back. Look. Oh, yeah. God provided for me then. He'll provide for me for me now. Yeah. I have a practice where every year I write just a document where I write down the good things God did through the ministry of the church that year. That's great. At our staff retreat in April, which you'll

Jeramie: in your Bible reading, just write down one thing a day. This is what the Lord did for me today. Even if it's a week. This is what the Lord did for me this week. And at some point, just go look back at it. You're having a hard time. You're having a hard day. Go back. Look. Oh, yeah. God provided for me then. He'll provide for me for me now. Yeah. I have a practice where every year I write just a document where I write down the good things God did through the ministry of the church that year. That's great. At our staff retreat in April, which you'll

Allen Smith: be a part of soon. One of the things we do is we just sit around and be like, what did God do? What were the wins? At our... Serve and celebrate. Yeah, yeah. With the volunteers, we just did that. We just went around and like, what did God do this year? And just reminding ourselves that he's been faithful, he's been at work, and it's just really good for our souls. Yeah, it's great for the souls. Do you have a favorite gospel? Is Mark it? I...

Jeramie: be a part of soon. One of the things we do is we just sit around and be like, what did God do? What were the wins? At our... Serve and celebration? Yeah, With the volunteers, we just did that. We just went around and like, what did God do this year? And just reminding ourselves that he's been faithful, he's been at work, and it's just really good for our souls. Yeah, it's great for the souls. Do you have a favorite gospel? Is Mark it? I...

Allen Smith: I don't favor gospel, mean, I don't want the other guys to hear it, you know. I mean, for me it's probably John. Because of the theological richness. But I love them all. Don't tell Mark I said that. Mark's cool. You're great, Mark. Mark, if you're listening, I just want you to know, you're awesome. You have to take it up with Mark. Except Mark got in trouble at one point with Paul. He did get in little bit of trouble, Paul. So who's Mark? But who's right? Oh yeah, who's Mark? John Mark is actually, he was not a...

Jeramie: I don't favor gospel, mean, I don't want the other guys to hear it, you know. I mean, for me it's probably John. Because of the theological richness. But I love them all. Don't tell Mark I said that. Mark's cool. You're great, Mark. Mark, if you're listening, I just want you to know, you're awesome. You have to take it up with Mark. Except Mark got in trouble at one point with Paul. He did get in little bit of trouble, Paul. So who's Mark? But who's right? Oh yeah, who's Mark? John Mark is actually, he was not a...

Allen Smith: follower of Jesus Christ at well, he was alive on the earth. Yeah, so he comes around afterward He's introduced as apparently the the son of a wealthy woman named Mary and actually who's home the Corinthians gathered for prayer So we'll get over in Corinthians and read that But again, he he wrote to preserve the eye-to-eye witness testimony of Peter. So he's likely Peter's interpreter So Peter's scribe. Yes. Yeah is like yeah guy who writes the memoirs from Peter's

Jeramie: follower of Jesus Christ at well, he was alive on the earth. Yeah, so he comes around afterward He's introduced as apparently the the son of a wealthy woman named Mary and actually who's home the Corinthians gathered for prayer So we'll get over in Corinthians and read that But again, he he wrote to preserve the eye-to-eye witness testimony of Peter. So he's likely Peter's interpreter So Peter's scribe. Yes. Yeah is like yeah guy who writes the memoirs from Peter's

Allen Smith: Yeah, exactly. So Mark, he writes his like an observer from the outside, but at the same time, he wants his readers to feel so close to his stories that they can like smell the characters. He gets really in depth into characters, his style, he's kind of writing with urgency. He's going to interweave, repeat, reiterate some themes. He's kind of gritty, little bit underlining. And what's also interesting is you just got out of Matthew with a ton of callback to the Old Testament and Old Testament scriptures, and that's likely because he had a more Jewish audience.

Jeramie: Yeah, exactly. So Mark, he writes his like an observer from the outside, but at the same time, he wants his readers to feel so close to his stories that they can like smell the characters. He gets really in depth into characters, his style, he's kind of writing with urgency. He's going to interweave, repeat, reiterate some themes. He's kind of gritty, little bit underlining. And what's also interesting is you just got out of Matthew with a ton of callback to the Old Testament and Old Testament scriptures, and that's likely because he had a more Jewish audience.

Allen Smith: with Mark, we're going to get more less quotations from the Old Testament. And when he talks about some of the Jewish customs, he adds like little parenthetical. Yeah, to help the reader understand. To help the reader understand because they're like, I don't know what you're talking about, bro. Yeah, it's a shorter book. It's a more ⁓ action oriented book. You know, he loves to say immediately, immediately. And so the narrative keeps moving along.

Jeramie: with Mark, we're going to get more less quotations from the Old Testament. And when he talks about some of the Jewish customs, he adds like little parenthetical. Yeah, to help the reader understand. To help the reader understand because they're like, I don't know what you're talking about, bro. Yeah, it's a shorter book. It's a more ⁓ action oriented book. You know, he loves to say immediately, immediately. And so the narrative keeps moving along.

Allen Smith: But he's also in the midst of it, he's in his of terstness style, terstness of his style. He's very clever in how he frames things and we'll see that as we go. Yeah, kind of two questions that Mark is going to kind of propose before us as we're reading this is who is Jesus and how will he become king? Yeah, it's who is Jesus and his kingship and what will that look like? in fact, interestingly, Mark is the gospel without any kind of... ⁓

Jeramie: But he's also in the midst of it, he's in his of terstness style, terstness of his style. He's very clever in how he frames things and we'll see that as we go. Yeah, kind of two questions that Mark is going to kind of propose before us as we're reading this is who is Jesus and how will he become king? Yeah, it's who is Jesus and his kingship and what will that look like? in fact, interestingly, Mark is the gospel without any kind of... ⁓

Allen Smith: Yeah, there's no genealogy like in Matthew, there's no birth narrative, there's no birth narrative in genealogy like in Luke. Or in John, you get the like super before time narrative of in the beginning was the word. But Mark just is like right out of the gate. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, go. And he's right into John the Baptist. And so ⁓ he's the Son of God, the Lord who is coming. And then John shows up on the scene. And I think even in the first...

Jeramie: Yeah, there's no genealogy like in Matthew, there's no birth narrative, there's no birth narrative in genealogy like in Luke. Or in John, you get the like super before time narrative of in the beginning was the word. But Mark just is like right out of the gate. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, go. And he's right into John the Baptist. And so ⁓ he's the Son of God, the Lord who is coming. And then John shows up on the scene. And I think even in the first...

Allen Smith: two chapters which ⁓ you should have read by now as part of this, ⁓ an emphasis on Jesus coming to deal with sin. So you have John the Baptist leading people in confessing their sins, chapter 1, verse 5. Then you have Jesus kind of in 1.15, a summary of His message, which is, time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is near, repent and believe. In chapter 2, you have this whole thing about Him forgiving

Jeramie: two chapters which ⁓ you should have read by now as part of this, ⁓ an emphasis on Jesus coming to deal with sin. So you have John the Baptist leading people in confessing their sins, chapter 1, verse 5. Then you have Jesus kind of in 1.15, a summary of His message, which is, time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is near, repent and believe. In chapter 2, you have this whole thing about Him forgiving

Allen Smith: the sins of the paralytic and people being like, can't forgive sins, only God can do that. And then in chapter 2, 13 to 17, he's eating with the tax collectors, again, doing things that Pharisees didn't do. He's stirring up controversy. He's stirring up controversy. And when they call him out on it, he says in verse 17 in chapter 2, it's not those who are well-needed doctor, but those who are sick, I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Jeramie: the sins of the paralytic and people being like, can't forgive sins, only God can do that. And then in chapter 2, 13 to 17, he's eating with the tax collectors, again, doing things that Pharisees didn't do. He's stirring up controversy. He's stirring up controversy. And when they call him out on it, he says in verse 17 in chapter 2, it's not those who are well-needed doctor, but those who are sick, I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Allen Smith: So you see, he's already, even amidst his miracles and his exorcisms, he's establishing a ministry of restoring and saving sinners. And so Mark is building that into the narrative right away. Yeah, he's saving sinners. He's bringing in the kingdom and driving out the kingdom of darkness. Yeah, that's right. But to enter into the kingdom of God is about repenting and believing for the forgiveness of your sins. You can't get into the kingdom without forgiveness, and you can't have forgiveness without repentance.

Jeramie: So you see, he's already, even amidst his miracles and his exorcisms, he's establishing a ministry of restoring and saving sinners. And so Mark is building that into the narrative right away. Yeah, he's saving sinners. He's bringing in the kingdom and driving out the kingdom of darkness. Yeah, that's right. But to enter into the kingdom of God is about repenting and believing for the forgiveness of your sins. You can't get into the kingdom without forgiveness, and you can't have forgiveness without repentance. Yeah, that's exactly right. Two things here, we're at again, Marcus right away, boom, go, John the Baptist says Jesus is front runner, right? Like a new Elijah, it's a new prophet, then the final prophet, Christ coming, ⁓ is Jesus is baptized and then he's tempted immediately, and then he begins his ministry, then he calls his disciples, then he starts performing miracles. ⁓ Why did Jesus have to be baptized? And why did he have to be tempted?

Allen Smith: Yeah, that's exactly right. Two things here, we're at again, Marcus right away, boom, go, John the Baptist says Jesus is front runner, right? Like a new Elijah, it's a new prophet, then the final prophet, Christ coming, ⁓ is Jesus is baptized and then he's tempted immediately, and then he begins his ministry, then he calls his disciples, then he starts performing miracles. ⁓ Why did Jesus have to be baptized? And why did he have to be tempted? Yeah, great question. Well, one thing is clear. He wasn't baptized because he was confessing his own sins. Right. Because that's why we baptize, is we're saying, hey, we have sinned, but we've died with Christ and raised with Christ and have newness of life. That's right. But Jesus… So it's interesting. We get baptized because we're identifying with Christ, but Jesus got baptized because he was identifying with his people.

Jeramie: Yeah, great question. Well, one thing is clear. He wasn't baptized because he was confessing his own sins. Right. Because that's why we baptize, is we're saying, hey, we have sinned, but we've died with Christ and raised with Christ and have newness of life. That's right. But Jesus… So it's interesting. We get baptized because we're identifying with Christ, but Jesus got baptized because he was identifying with his people.

Allen Smith: And so he's like, I'm here for you people. I'm here to stand with the sinners. It's Jesus entering into humanity. That's right. Mark is really emphasizing Jesus' humanity. Yeah. And the baptism we do is Christian baptism is not the same as John's baptism. People sometimes confuse that. But John's baptism was a baptism of repentance in preparation for Christ. Christian baptism is faith and identification with Jesus in light of his completed work on the cross and resurrection.

Jeramie: And so he's like, I'm here for you people. I'm here to stand with the sinners. It's Jesus entering into humanity. That's right. Mark is really emphasizing Jesus' humanity. Yeah. And the baptism we do is Christian baptism is not the same as John's baptism. People sometimes confuse that. But John's baptism was a baptism of repentance in preparation for Christ. Christian baptism is faith and identification with Jesus in light of his completed work on the cross and resurrection.

Allen Smith: So but also notice here's the other interesting thing is you get ⁓ You get a lot of Exodus imagery here. ⁓ yeah So Jesus is he goes in the water and comes out of the water just like Israel did and then he goes into the wilderness 40 days Just like Israel went to the wilderness 40 years. Mm-hmm. so Jesus is also leading the new Exodus. Yeah. Jesus leading a new Exodus and then

Jeramie: So but also notice here's the other interesting thing is you get ⁓ You get a lot of Exodus imagery here. ⁓ yeah So Jesus is he goes in the water and comes out of the water just like Israel did and then he goes into the wilderness 40 days Just like Israel went to the wilderness 40 years. Mm-hmm. so Jesus is also leading the new Exodus. Yeah. Jesus leading a new Exodus and then

Allen Smith: forming a new community, which is immediately what he does. He goes and calls the first disciples, right? He goes to Simon and Andrew and he says, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. So now he's new kind of Israel and new community, which was a large, which is why you get in all this controversy afterward. He goes, what is happening? The Pharisees are going, what is happening? Why is he forgiving sins? Why is he

Jeramie: forming a new community, which is immediately what he does. He goes and calls the first disciples, right? He goes to Simon and Andrew and he says, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. So now he's new kind of Israel and new community, which was a large, which is why you get in all this controversy afterward. He goes, what is happening? The Pharisees are going, what is happening? Why is he forgiving sins? Why is he

Allen Smith: healing paralytics, only God can do these things and it's getting him trouble. So he gains a lot of fame right up front, but then also a lot of ⁓ controversy at the same time. then Mark is really trying to show us that Jesus is ushering in this new kingdom that's unlike what they were predicting. Yeah, just as Israel came out from the wilderness and went to Mount Sinai and became the new covenant community of God's people. So now Jesus is forming the

Jeramie: healing paralytics, only God can do these things and it's getting him trouble. So he gains a lot of fame right up front, but then also a lot of ⁓ controversy at the same time. then Mark is really trying to show us that Jesus is ushering in this new kingdom that's unlike what they were predicting. Yeah, just as Israel came out from the wilderness and went to Mount Sinai and became the new covenant community of God's people. So now Jesus is forming the

Allen Smith: the true covenant community, he is true Israel. He defines Israel. Israel is now defined by Jesus himself. He's the one who is recapitulating or re-telling the story, reliving the story of Israel in his own way. And now to be a part of the covenant community, this is the shocker to the Pharisees, he's like, you guys aren't in unless you repent and believe in me.

Jeramie: the true covenant community, he is true Israel. He defines Israel. Israel is now defined by Jesus himself. He's the one who is recapitulating or re-telling the story, reliving the story of Israel in his own way. And now to be a part of the covenant community, this is the shocker to the Pharisees, he's like, you guys aren't in unless you repent and believe in me.

Allen Smith: So it's no longer defined by ethnicity. It's no longer defined by keeping the law of Moses. It's defined by faith in Christ. Yeah, that's great. One thing I think is super interesting is you see Jesus cast out demons saying Jesus is greater than spiritual forces. He heals many, so he's greater than sickness. And then he's greater than sin because with the unclean man, when Jesus touches the unclean man, what would happen in...

Jeramie: So it's no longer defined by ethnicity. It's no longer defined by keeping the law of Moses. It's defined by faith in Christ. that's great. One thing I think is super interesting is you see Jesus cast out demons saying Jesus is greater than spiritual forces. He heals many, so he's greater than sickness. And then he's greater than sin because with the unclean man, when Jesus touches the unclean man, what would happen in...

Allen Smith: the law of Moses was that person would then become unclean. But you see that impurity doesn't make Jesus impure, but actually cleanliness goes out from Christ making that man pure, meaning that he makes people pure and clean, which is absurd. Yeah, in light of the cleanliness laws of the Mosaic covenant, it's just, that's bananas. It's amazing. Speaking of bananas, First Corinthians. Bananas. That place was bananas. they were bananas.

Jeramie: the law of Moses was that person would then become unclean. But you see that impurity doesn't make Jesus impure, but actually cleanliness goes out from Christ making that man pure, meaning that he makes people pure and clean, which is absurd. Yeah, in light of the cleanliness laws of the Mosaic covenant, it's just, that's bananas. It's amazing. Speaking of bananas, First Corinthians. Bananas. That place was bananas. they were bananas.

Allen Smith: ⁓ There's sometimes I think a thought in Christianity where it's like, hey, let's just be like the early church. Let's be like... That was paradise back then. Yeah. It was literally utopia in the early church. Yeah. ⁓ wait. And then you read first Corinthians and you're like, dude, these are rebukes. These are questions. In a way, it's kind of interesting because...

Jeramie: ⁓ There's sometimes I think a thought in Christianity where it's like, hey, let's just be like the early church. Let's be like... That was paradise back then. Yeah. It was literally utopia in the early church. Yeah. ⁓ wait. And then you read first Corinthians and you're like, dude, these are rebukes. These are questions. In a way, it's kind of interesting because...

Allen Smith: We talked about this last episode a little bit where we have the full revelation of the scriptures where they probably didn't have the entire canon at the time. And they had all types of questions, problems, and issues. And they're still Paul's addressing those. And it was a church, I mean, you think about this, this is a church Paul planted. He taught there for a year and a half. And still, he's dealing with all these problems in this church. And this was a church where...

Jeramie: We talked about this last episode a little bit where we have the full revelation of the scriptures where they probably didn't have the entire canon at the time. And they had all types of questions, problems, and issues. And they're still Paul's addressing those. And it was a church, I mean, you think about this, this is a church Paul planted. He taught there for a year and a half. And still he's dealing with all these problems in this church. And this was a church where...

Allen Smith: the Holy Spirit was powerfully working. There were miracles, there were prophecies. They were really gifted. Gifted by the Spirit. And again, to your point, sometimes people think like, we, you know, the church today has lost its way, we just need to get back to the Holy Spirit and the original church. And it's like, this was the original church with the Holy Spirit. And this letter, Paul is debugging this thing like crazy because there are so many...

Jeramie: the Holy Spirit was powerfully working. There were miracles, there were prophecies. They were really gifted. Gifted by the Spirit. And again, to your point, sometimes people think like, we, you know, the church today has lost its way, we just need to get back to the Holy Spirit and the original church. And it's like, this was the original church with the Holy Spirit. And this letter, Paul is debugging this thing like crazy because there are so many...

Allen Smith: Yeah, kind of the whole book is really Or there's a couple things Apparently they're getting letters from ⁓ Chloe about questions that they have in Corinth and so he's answering questions and this is arranged more like theologically ⁓ In the letter, so you're gonna see him acknowledge like hey Jesus Christ lordship in ownership over them and it has implications for how they ought to live So he's gonna talk about ⁓ Hey the authority of Christ

Jeramie: Yeah, kind of the whole book is really Or there's a couple things Apparently they're getting letters from ⁓ Chloe about questions that they have in Corinth and so he's answering questions and this is arranged more like theologically ⁓ In the letter, so you're gonna see him acknowledge like hey Jesus Christ lordship in ownership over them and it has implications for how they ought to live So he's gonna talk about ⁓ Hey the authority of Christ

Allen Smith: unity, morality, the role of women, spiritual gifts, resurrection. They got all these types of questions. They're like, Lord, supper. They're getting. It's like a help desk letter where he's like, wow, you guys, you know, they're like, listen, I just need help because we have all these problems. And there's problems that they don't think they have that he calls them out on, let alone like the questions they have. So some of the things he deals with. ⁓

Jeramie: unity, morality, the role of women, spiritual gifts, resurrection. They got all these types of questions. They're like, Lord, supper. It's like a help desk letter where he's like, wow, you guys, you know, they're like, listen, I just need help because we have all these problems. And there's problems that they don't think they have that he calls them out on, let alone like the questions they have. So some of the things he deals with. ⁓

Allen Smith: They're getting drunk at the Lord's Supper. They're getting drunk at the Lord's Supper. Just like in 1-5, some of the things they deal with, ⁓ one of them is they are kind of full of pride because they think the important thing is to be wise like the world, like Greco-Worm and wisdom. And in chapter 1, he just slams that and he's like, wait a minute, the gospel is foolishness to the world.

Jeramie: They're getting drunk at the Lord's Supper. They're getting drunk at the Lord's Supper. Just like in 1-5, some of the things they deal with, ⁓ one of them is they are kind of full of pride because they think the important thing is to be wise like the world, like Greco-Worm and wisdom. And in chapter 1, he just slams that and he's like, wait a minute, the gospel is foolishness to the world.

Allen Smith: it's, the Jews think it's foolish, the Greeks think it's foolish, but he says, for the Jews ask for signs, chapter 1 verse 22, the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified. So he's like, guys, the gospel is foolishness to the world, but in chapter 2, it's actually God's wisdom. It's actually wise. It's just the world thinks it's foolish. They have a big problem, chapter 3, with

Jeramie: it's, the Jews think it's foolish, the Greeks think it's foolish, but he says, for the Jews ask for signs, chapter 1 verse 22, the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified. So he's like, guys, the gospel is foolishness to the world, but in chapter 2, it's actually God's wisdom. It's actually wise. It's just the world thinks it's foolish. They have a big problem, chapter 3, with

Allen Smith: you know, like celebrity pastor problems. They're like, I like Paul, I like Apollo, I like Peter. And again, that's worldly. It's really immature, you know, where people get, they follow after a pastor and, you know, they're like, oh, you're not like that pastor. And Paul actually says like, I'm so thankful I didn't baptize any of you. Isn't that crazy? Isn't that nuts? He's like, I don't want you guys to get attached to me. Yeah.

Jeramie: you know, like celebrity pastor problems. They're like, I like Paul, I like Apollo, I like Peter. And again, that's worldly. It's really immature, you know, where people get, they follow after a pastor and, you know, they're like, oh, you're not like that pastor. And Paul actually says like, I'm so thankful I didn't baptize any of you. Isn't that crazy? Isn't that nuts? He's like, I don't want you guys to get attached to me. Yeah.

Allen Smith: And his whole point is just you see Paul is, again, this guy knows more than anything, and he goes, hey, let the, this is at the end of chapter one, he goes, let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. He's like, don't boast in teachers. This is silly. Don't boast in your pastor, boast in Christ. it's the Lord who does it. You know, for some great quotes, chapter three, verse six, I planted Apollos water, but God gave the growth. So neither

Jeramie: And his whole point is just you see Paul is, again, this guy knows more than anything, and he goes, hey, let the, this is at the end of chapter one, he goes, let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. He's like, don't boast in teachers. This is silly. Don't boast in your pastor, boast in Christ. it's the Lord who does it. You know, for some great quotes, chapter three, verse six, I planted Apollos water, but God gave the growth. So neither

Allen Smith: the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but only God who gives the growth. So, you know, that's like when people are like, well, I really like Pastor Teddy. We're like, kind of like Pastor Chris. It's like, guys, if you're growing at all, it's because God is working. And so what you want in your pastors is you want pastors who are faithful to the Word of God. You know, chapter four, in this regard, in verse two, it is required that managers be found faithful.

Jeramie: the one who plants, nor the one who waters anything, but only God who gives the growth. So, you know, that's like when people are like, well, I really like Pastor Teddy. We're like, kind of like Pastor Chris. It's like, guys, if you're growing at all, it's because God is working. And so what you want in your pastors is you want pastors who are faithful to the Word of God. You know, chapter four, in this regard, in verse two, it is required that managers be found faithful.

Allen Smith: We are just, your pastors are just stewards, temporary stewards, temporary managers of the household, so to speak. Our job is to be faithful. If we're faithful to the Word, then God will cause growth through His Word in the lives of the people. So it's not about the pastors and their personalities and who has better gifts or who you personally like more. It's about God growing His people through faithful stewards. Yeah. It's a big pressure reliever. It is. Right? And when I read that, I was super encouraged. I was like, man,

Jeramie: We are just, your pastors are just stewards, temporary stewards, temporary managers of the household, so to speak. Our job is to be faithful. If we're faithful to the Word, then God will cause growth through His Word in the lives of the people. So it's not about the pastors and their personalities and who has better gifts or who you personally like more. It's about God growing His people through faithful stewards. Yeah. It's a big pressure reliever. It is. Right? And when I read that, I was super encouraged. I was like, man,

Allen Smith: You know, I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to figure this all out. It's like it's the Lord who's going to cause the work. So it's an element of like maybe, hey, if you're listening, ⁓ you've got you're raising your kids or you've got grandkids or you know, you've got, you know, even a prodigal per se and you feel like you have to win them with the best words. You have to have the best speech. It's just like, look, it's the spirit who does the work and then you just be faithful. You be faithful and God will do the work because

Jeramie: You know, I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to figure this all out. It's like it's the Lord who's going to cause the work. So it's an element of like maybe, hey, if you're listening, ⁓ you've got you're raising your kids or you've got grandkids or you know, you've got, you know, even a prodigal per se and you feel like you have to win them with the best words. You have to have the best speech. It's just like, look, it's the spirit who does the work and then you just be faithful. You be faithful and God will do the work because

Allen Smith: He who waters, he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor." So it says, be faithful. For we are God's fellow workers, you are God's field, God's building. God is building, raising that up. ⁓ And so, yeah, just be faithful and let the Spirit do what only the Spirit can do. There's also warnings. ⁓ There's, you know, a warning about the fact that the Corinthians are harming the church with their, like, you know, faction mentality. I like this guy, I like that guy.

Jeramie: He who waters, he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor." So it says, be faithful. For we are God's fellow workers, you are God's field, God's building. God is building, raising that up. ⁓ And so, yeah, just be faithful and let the Spirit do what only the Spirit can do. There's also warnings. ⁓ There's, you know, a warning about the fact that the Corinthians are harming the church with their, like, you know, faction mentality. I like this guy. I like that guy.

Allen Smith: Paul warns them in chapter 3 verse 16, don't you yourselves know that you are God's temple and the spirit of God lives in you. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy and that is what you are. I mean, we've to really be careful when we do anything to break or divide or harm God's church. It's like, this is his temple. And even that kind of like, I like Paul, I like Apollos. He's like, you guys are dividing the temple and God is...

Jeramie: And Paul warns him in chapter three, verse 16, don't you yourselves know that you are God's temple and the spirit of God lives in you. If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy and that is what you are. I mean, we've to really be careful when we do anything to break or divide or harm God's church. It's like, this is his temple. And even that kind of like, I like Paul, I like Apollos. He's like, you guys are dividing the temple and God is...

Allen Smith: you know, not cool with this. mean, he'll judge it. Another warning one, just to wrap up our reading for this 1 Corinthians, was chapter 5, where this is a passage on what we often call church discipline, but one of the problems was they had a guy in the church who was doing something crazy. was sleeping with his father's wife, so like his stepmom.

Jeramie: you know, not cool with this. mean, he'll judge it. Another warning one, just to wrap up our reading for this 1 Corinthians, was chapter 5, where this is a passage on what we often call church discipline, but one of the problems was they had a guy in the church who was doing something crazy. was sleeping with his father's wife, so like his stepmom.

Allen Smith: And, you know, Paul's like, hey, even the pagans don't do this. This is like, everyone would see this as wrong. And so he says, you need to remove this man from among you. And so he calls the church congregation, not the leaders, but the congregation to remove this man as an act of church discipline for the purpose of hopefully saving his soul. And there are times when a church ⁓ has to, as a congregation, take action and remove someone from the church.

Jeramie: And, you know, Paul's like, hey, even the pagans don't do this. This is like, everyone would see this as wrong. And so he says, you need to remove this man from among you. And so he calls the church congregation, not the leaders, but the congregation to remove this man as an act of church discipline for the purpose of hopefully saving his soul. And there are times when a church ⁓ has to, as a congregation, take action and remove someone from the church.

Allen Smith: because they're unrepentant, they're obviously in gross sin. And so, it's kind of like a last ditch effort, this person has to be removed. So chapter five talks about that process. Yeah, and that process, as we see outlined by Jesus and Matthew, and then carried out here, hey, if this man is in sin, go and tell him, right? Any man or woman, go and tell him. So like, have you caught me in sin? Yeah.

Jeramie: because they're unrepentant, they're obviously in gross sin. And so, it's kind of like a last ditch effort, this person has to be removed. So chapter five talks about that process. Yeah, and that process, as we see outlined by Jesus and Matthew, and then carried out here, hey, if this man is in sin, go and tell him, right? Any man or woman, go and tell him. So like, have you caught me in sin? Yeah.

Allen Smith: Like, what should you do? Like, and we say cotton sin. We're talking about like, it's something clear, provable. Not like, ⁓ I think Jeremy has a bad attitude. Like, how do you prove that? But yeah, yeah. Yeah, something heinous. So like, what would you do? Yeah. So I would go to you and say, hey, brother, ⁓ you're in sin for this sin. Like, name the sin. You are in sin for this sin. Will you repent of your sin and trust in Christ? you know, hopefully I say, you're right. Thank you. I repent. I'm sorry. I need to get...

Jeramie: Like, what should you do? Like, and we say cotton sin. We're talking about like, it's something clear, provable. Not like, ⁓ I think Jeremy has a bad attitude. Like, how do you prove that? But yeah, yeah. Yeah, something heinous. So like, what would you do? Yeah. So I would go to you and say, hey, brother, ⁓ you're in sin for this sin. name the sin. You are in sin for this sin. Will you repent of your sin and trust in Christ? you know, hopefully I say, you're right. Thank you. I repent. I'm sorry. I need to get... My head is screwed on, or my spirit right. What if I said, hey, mind your own business? I'm the senior pastor. You don't talk to me that way. Then what would you do? It would bring two or three others. That's what Jesus taught in Matthew 18. Yeah, Matthew 18. Bring two or three others with him. Like, hey, this brother's in sin for this. I went to him already. He said, mind your own business. So we come with a couple witnesses and say, hey, brother, repent. Turn from your sins. And hopefully I'm like, you know what, you're right. But what if I'm like...

Allen Smith: head screwed on or my spirit right. What if I said, hey mind your own business? I'm the senior pastor. You don't talk to me that way. Then what would you do? It would bring two or three others. That's what Jesus taught in Matthew 18. Yeah, Matthew 18. Bring two or three others with him. Like hey, this brother's in sin for this. I went to him already. He said mind your own business. So we come with a couple witnesses and say hey brother repent turn from your sins. And hopefully I'm like you know what you're right. Yeah. But what if I'm like all y'all get out of my business. Then what? Then the final step is, he says, bring the church, the congregation. And I think that's what we're seeing here in chapter five is that final step where he's like, bring it to the church. And so he even gives ⁓ instructions, verse three, even though I'm absent in the body, I'm present in the spirit.

Jeramie: all y'all get out of my business. Yeah. Then what? Then the final step is, he says, bring the church, the congregation. And I think that's what we're seeing here in chapter five is that final step. Yeah. Where he's like, bring it to the church. And so he even gives ⁓ instructions, verse three, even though I'm absent in the body, I'm present in the spirit. As one who is present with you this way, I've already pronounced judgment on the ones who's been doing such a thing. When you are assembled, so when the church is together, so this is talking about the church, not the leaders, but the church assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus, and I'm with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that, here's the goal, his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. We're trying to, even that extreme step is hopefully going to bring someone back.

Allen Smith: As one who is present with you this way, I've already pronounced judgment on the one who's been doing such a thing. When you are assembled, so when the church is together, so this is talking about the church, not the leaders, but the church assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus, and I'm with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that, here's the goal, his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. We're trying to, even that extreme step is hopefully going to bring someone back. But sometimes you got to do the extreme measures. Yeah. And the goal is repentance, right? The goal is repentance and restoration and the saving. Yeah. And it's hard, but you have to see that someone's soul for eternity. That's the perspective that you have to keep in mind. That's right. It's for the good of that person. It's for the good of the church, because right now, you know, you've got someone in the church who is like living and saying, know, Paul goes on to talk about it as Levin.

Jeramie: But sometimes you got to do the extreme measures. Yeah. And the goal is repentance, right? The goal is repentance and restoration and the saving. Yeah. And it's hard, but you have to see that someone's soul for eternity. That's the perspective that you have to keep in mind. That's right. It's for the good of that person. It's for the good of the church, because right now, you know, you've got someone in the church who is like living and saying, know, Paul goes on to talk about it as Levin.

Allen Smith: Yeah, a little leaven, leavens. Yeah. So it's like, this is leaven in the dough that could harm the church and it's harming our witness. what's one of the things people always trash the church about? It's like, those hypocrites. Yeah. So if you let something like this go, yeah, you're just endorsing hypocrisy. That's right. That's right. Yeah. And so church discipline is for the good of the church. It's for the good of that soul. It's for the good of our witness. It's for the good of God. It's for every... It's always aimed at...

Jeramie: Yeah, a little leaven, leavens. Yeah. So it's like, this is leaven in the dough that could harm the church and it's harming our witness. what's one of the things people always trash the church about? It's like, those hypocrites. Yeah. So if you let something like this go, yeah, you're just endorsing hypocrisy. That's right. That's right. Yeah. And so church discipline is for the good of the church. It's for the good of that soul. It's for the good of our witness. It's for the good of God. It's for every... It's always aimed at...

Allen Smith: good, but it's just the reality of our sin that defiles. But that's why God has given us the church to be able to keep us from that. church discipline is really good thing. It's a good thing. ⁓ It's a last resort in many ways. ⁓ But when churches practice it faithfully and in the right way, it has to be done with the spirit of humility, with the goal of restoration. When it's done in the proper way, in the long term, it's really healthy for the church and for the gospel.

Jeramie: good, but it's just the reality of our sin that defiles. But that's why God has given us the church to be able to keep us from that. church discipline is really good thing. It's a good thing. ⁓ It's a last resort in many ways. ⁓ But when churches practice it faithfully and in the right way, it has to be done with the spirit of humility, with the goal of restoration. When it's done in the proper way, in the long term, it's really healthy for the church and for the gospel.

Allen Smith: Yeah, yeah. Well, any encouragement for our listeners? I just want to say we are, we're over a quarter of the way done. So this is really exciting. Keep reading, keep staying in the scriptures. ⁓ You know, hopefully you're starting to connect dots between Old Testament and New Testament as you read it all together. And it's just amazing how the Word of God all

Jeramie: Yeah, yeah. Well, any encouragement for our listeners? I just want to say we are, we're over a quarter of the way done. So this is really exciting. Keep reading, keep staying in the scriptures. ⁓ You know, hopefully you're starting to connect dots between Old Testament and New Testament as you read it all together. And it's just amazing how the Word of God all

Allen Smith: holds together as a coherent work. Even though there's many authors, there's one author, God, who's writing the whole thing. yeah, it's good. As my seminary professor put it, you can just rip out that page in between the Old and New Testament, because it's all one book, all one story. That's right, it's one story. It's one story. And I don't mean Malachi as the last book in the Old Testament. I mean like the blank page that separates the Old and the New Testament. I said that to someone the other day. They mean like Malachi, you mean rip out the book of Malachi.

Jeramie: holds together as a coherent work. Even though there's many authors, there's one author, God, who's writing the whole thing. yeah, it's good. As my seminary professor put it, you can just rip out that page in between the Old and New Testament, because it's all one book, all one story. That's right, it's one story. It's one story. And I don't mean Malachi as the last book in the Old Testament. I mean like the blank page that separates the Old and the New Testament. I said that to someone the other day. They mean like Malachi, you mean rip out the book of Malachi.

Allen Smith: ⁓ Wait, no, I just meant like the blank pages every child a new testament. How can we preach about tithing about Malachi? We have to Malachi. Right. All right. Hey, ⁓ we love you guys. Keep reading. ⁓ Keep praying. ⁓ We'll keep encouraging you with the scriptures and following Christ together till he comes back for us. This has been another episode of the SEC Saber podcast. We'll see you next time. Take care.

Jeramie: ⁓ Wait, no, I just meant like the blank pages every child a new testament. How can we preach about tithing about Malachi? We have to Malachi. Right. All right. Hey, ⁓ we love you guys. Keep reading. ⁓ Keep praying. ⁓ We'll keep encouraging you with the scriptures and following Christ together till he comes back for us. This has been another episode of the SEC Saber podcast. We'll see you next time. Take care.