EP 39: SCC Savor, Month 10, Days 7-13

Allen: Well, welcome back to the SCC Saver Podcast. This is one of your co-hosts, Alan, Pastoral Apprentice at Sanibel Community Church. And I'm Jeremy Rennie, senior pastor at Sanibel Community Church. Speaking of church and the people whom the Lord has entrusted over this church, they do many, many great things. Yes. but they all probably also do some other things that they wouldn't be super, super proud of to talk about. Okay. One of these

Jeramie: Well, welcome back to the SCC Saver Podcast. This is one of your co-hosts, Alan, Pastoral Apprentice at Sanibel Community Church. And I'm Jeremy Rennie, senior pastor at Sanibel Community Church. Speaking of church and the people whom the Lord has entrusted over this church, they do many, many great things. Yes. but they all probably also do some other things that they wouldn't be super, super proud of to talk about. Okay. One of these

Allen: Where's this going? Okay. Where's this going? Where's this going? It's not sin. Okay, good. all right. Great. Okay. Great. I was like, we're doing a podcast talking about the other people's sin. Yeah. No. I don't think this is right. That's right. No, we're not doing that. We're talking about their tears. Their tears. Yes. Specifically, I'm thinking, who or which pastor do you think

Jeramie: Where's this going? Okay. Where's this going? Where's this going? It's not sin. Okay, good. all right. Great. Okay. Great. I was like, we're doing a podcast talking about the other people's sin. Yeah. No. I don't think this is right. That's right. No, we're not doing that. We're talking about their tears. Their tears. Yes. Specifically, I'm thinking, who or which pastor do you think

Allen: would be most likely to cry during a movie. Or if this has already happened, has there been a movie night at the church and like you've looked over and like Bobby's weeping over there in the corny corner or Yeah. Who's most likely to cry? I think that's easy. Teddy Teddy all the way. It's totally Teddy all the way. Yeah.

Jeramie: would be most likely to cry during a movie. Or if this has already happened, has there been a movie night at the church and like you've looked over and like Bobby's weeping over there in the corny corner or Yeah. Who's most likely to cry? I think that's easy. Teddy Teddy all the way. It's totally Teddy all the way. Yeah.

Allen: Because he like he has an ability to get lost in the story. Yes. And he loves stories. He does love story. He suspends, you know, belief dis suspends disbelief and is just able to enter into stories and can feel things and which may seem s you know, strange because, you know, yeah, he's from Minnesota and you know, so has got that kind of stoic Minnesota thing. But like he's definitely the biggest, I think, feeler in our group.

Jeramie: Because he like he has an ability to get lost in the story. Yes. And he loves stories. He does love story. He suspends, you know, belief dis suspends disbelief and is just able to enter into stories and can feel things and which may seem s you know, strange because, you know, yeah, he's from Minnesota and you know, so has got that kind of stoic Minnesota thing. But like he's definitely the biggest, I think, feeler in our group.

Allen: He's definitely the biggest feeler. But hold on. Minnesotans aren't stoic. They're friendly. Yeah, friendly, but stoic. Like they don't yeah. Yeah. Super friendly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you it's it's that kind of like I mean, these are all stereotypes, right? Yeah. So, you know, you stereotypes are always true, by the way. A hundred percent. In every case. Every case. yeah. But you know how like like the idea is this kind of that Scandinavian kind of stoicism about life. maybe it comes from

Jeramie: He's definitely the biggest feeler. But hold on. Minnesotans aren't stoic. They're friendly. Yeah, friendly, but stoic. Like they don't yeah. Yeah. Super friendly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you it's it's that kind of like I mean, these are all stereotypes, right? Yeah. So, you know, you stereotypes are always true, by the way. A hundred percent. In every case. Every case. yeah. But you know how like like the idea is this kind of that Scandinavian kind of stoicism about life. maybe it comes from

Allen: being from the hard cold tundra. I don't I don't know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Would you just walking under tunnels in the wet for three months out of the year because it's too cold to walk outside? That would that would make you a little bit That's right. Yeah. It's like, well Yeah. Yeah. Heck of a day. Yep. Yep. Anyway, so I ended up having to get that surgery. Yes. And there's a couple of people that just kinda reached out to me said that they were praying for me, thought about me. Yeah. I think a lot of people are praying for you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I want to say a couple. That's exaggerated. But

Jeramie: being from the hard cold tundra. I don't I don't know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Would you just walking under tunnels in the wet for three months out of the year because it's too cold to walk outside? That would that would make you a little bit That's right. Yeah. It's like, well Yeah. Yeah. Heck of a day. Yep. Yep. Anyway, so I ended up having to get that surgery. Yes. And there's a couple of people that just kinda reached out to me said that they were praying for me, thought about me. Yeah. I think a lot of people are praying for you. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I want to say a couple. That's exaggerated. But

Allen: Just wanna say thank you to everyone who prayed. The operation went great when as when as planned, and I'm recovering. So praise God. Yeah. Yeah. Great. Yeah. So we're gonna hop in. This is month ten, days seven through thirteen. this is Jeremiah fourteen through thirty-four, Ecclesiastes five through ten. the gospel of John, chapter two, verse twelve through four forty-two, and then we're gonna finish out James three thirteen through.

Jeramie: Just wanna say thank you to everyone who prayed. The operation went great when as when as planned, and I'm recovering. So praise God. Yeah. Yeah. Great. Yeah. So we're gonna hop in. This is month ten, days seven through thirteen. this is Jeremiah fourteen through thirty-four, Ecclesiastes five through ten. the gospel of John, chapter two, verse twelve through four forty-two, and then we're gonna finish out James three thirteen through.

Allen: 520 and then we're gonna Peter is technically in day thirteen if you're following along there, but we'll skip that till next time. Yeah, we'll pick up Peter next week. First Peter, yeah. Yeah. So hopping back into Jeremiah. Yeah. yeah, do you have any comments beside the fact that I am absolutely terrified of Jeremiah as you're reading this? You're like, Yeah. I need to take a deep breath. I lit actually speaking of tears, yeah. I was reading, I was finishing up my reading this morning. Yeah. on the beach.

Jeramie: 520 and then we're gonna Peter is technically in day thirteen if you're following along there, but we'll skip that till next time. Yeah, we'll pick up Peter next week. First Peter, yeah. Yeah. So hopping back into Jeremiah. Yeah. yeah, do you have any comments beside the fact that I am absolutely terrified of Jeremiah as you're reading this? You're like, Yeah. I need to take a deep breath. I lit actually speaking of tears, yeah. I was reading, I was finishing up my reading this morning. Yeah. on the beach.

Allen: Yeah. And I had tears in my eyes. Yes. Because I read this and I'm like, this is so scary, so dreadful. Yes. And I couldn't just think about like I don't face this because of Jesus. Yeah, that's like it lit I was just so thankful for my salvation. I was reading this morning, I'm like, my gosh. And I just I know Jesus and enjoy the fullness of him and I don't suffer at his wrath. So that was just a devotional thought. Well, and it's probably one of the reasons why we need to keep reading Jeremiah. Because if there is a doctrine that our culture

Jeramie: Yeah. And I had tears in my eyes. Yes. Because I read this and I'm like, this is so scary, so dreadful. Yes. And I couldn't just think about like I don't face this because of Jesus. Yeah, that's like it lit I was just so thankful for my salvation. I was reading this morning, I'm like, my gosh. And I just I know Jesus and enjoy the fullness of him and I don't suffer at his wrath. So that was just a devotional thought. Well, and it's probably one of the reasons why we need to keep reading Jeremiah. Because if there is a doctrine that our culture

Allen: completely walls us off from and that our own hearts do not want to hear. It's the it's the subject of God's wrath against sin and the full ugliness of it. And and as we said last week, Jeremiah ministered or maybe this week before the Jeremiah ministered at a time when the God's wrath was coming complete for Judah after decades of warnings from the prophets. And so Jeremiah is kind of the finisher and so he's there at the

Jeramie: completely walls us off from and that our own hearts do not want to hear. It's the it's the subject of God's wrath against sin and the full ugliness of it. And and as we said last week, Jeremiah ministered or maybe this week before the Jeremiah ministered at a time when the God's wrath was coming complete for Judah after decades of warnings from the prophets. And so Jeremiah is kind of the finisher and so he's there at the

Allen: the drastic conclusion of it. So it it is it's it's a lot of judgment. It's God's wrath. and yet there's in this part of Jeremiah it ends with more hope. you know we kind of get to some prophecies of restoration at the end. you know some of the the texts that that might just be notable in this in this reading one is chapter twenty-three where the Lord pronounces woe on the shepherds

Jeramie: the drastic conclusion of it. So it it is it's it's a lot of judgment. It's God's wrath. and yet there's in this part of Jeremiah it ends with more hope. you know we kind of get to some prophecies of restoration at the end. you know some of the the texts that that might just be notable in this in this reading one is chapter twenty-three where the Lord pronounces woe on the shepherds

Allen: So the shepherds of Israel, you know, the priests and the prophets, they were they failed and the elders failed. But there's a promise that in the future the Lord will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. Yeah. and then the chief shepherd is going to be the branch. So chapter 23, verses five and six is a wonderful messianic prophecy, prophecy about a a br a righteous branch for David. So it's kind of this idea that out of this stump, this ruined

Jeramie: So the shepherds of Israel, you know, the priests and the prophets, they were they failed and the elders failed. But there's a promise that in the future the Lord will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them. Yeah. and then the chief shepherd is going to be the branch. So chapter 23, verses five and six is a wonderful messianic prophecy, prophecy about a a br a righteous branch for David. So it's kind of this idea that out of this stump, this ruined

Allen: lineage of Davidic kings, there will come a new branch who will be righteous, who will save them. And you know, this is the name he will be called the Lord our righteousness. And you just think like now as we look back through Christ to think how Jesus not only forgives us, but he is our righteousness. Yeah. Yeah, that's so good. And even continuing on in in another important kind of section of text, when we have this prophecy of the 70 years of captivity.

Jeramie: lineage of Davidic kings, there will come a new branch who will be righteous, who will save them. And you know, this is the name he will be called the Lord our righteousness. And you just think like now as we look back through Christ to think how Jesus not only forgives us, but he is our righteousness. Yeah. Yeah, that's so good. And even continuing on in in another important kind of section of text, when we have this prophecy of the 70 years of captivity.

Allen: Yes. For them, which is a theme that's going to come up, especially as we continue to read our plan. But this biblical number of again, this is they're going into captivity at the hands of the Babylons and the Chaldeans because of their covenant disobedience and unfaithfulness. Right. And so because they've not obeyed, all I will send all of the tribes, this is verse eight and nine, I will send for all of the tribes of the north, declares the Lord, and for Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and all these surrounding nations, I will devote them to destruction and make them a horror.

Jeramie: Yes. For them, which is a theme that's going to come up, especially as we continue to read our plan. But this biblical number of again, this is they're going into captivity at the hands of the Babylons and the Chaldeans because of their covenant disobedience and unfaithfulness. Right. And so because they've not obeyed, all I will send all of the tribes, this is verse eight and nine, I will send for all of the tribes of the north, declares the Lord, and for Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and all these surrounding nations, I will devote them to destruction and make them a horror.

Allen: hissing in an everlasting desolate desolation here. And so again, this is the Lord giving them over to their sin, raising up the Chaldeans, the Babylons for the seventy year captivity period. That's right. And so the seventy years is both bad news, good news. Right. the bad news is it's gonna be seventy years before you guys come back. Yeah. Which is an entire generation. A whole generation. and which is in contrast to the false prophets in Jeremiah's day that he was constantly contending with.

Jeramie: hissing in an everlasting desolate desolation here. And so again, this is the Lord giving them over to their sin, raising up the Chaldeans, the Babylons for the seventy year captivity period. That's right. And so the seventy years is both bad news, good news. Right. the bad news is it's gonna be seventy years before you guys come back. Yeah. Which is an entire generation. A whole generation. and which is in contrast to the false prophets in Jeremiah's day that he was constantly contending with.

Allen: Who were saying in just two years they'll be back. It's almost over. God's gonna God's gonna give them a breakthrough and they're gonna come back. And Jeremiah's like, no, plant vineyards, marry, seek the good of the city there. You're gonna be there a long time. Uh-huh. twenty so that's a big one. The the biggest text, and you know, again, this is just frustrating because I just want to go into all these texts. That's right. That's right. It's so good.

Jeramie: Who were saying in just two years they'll be back. It's almost over. God's gonna God's gonna give them a breakthrough and they're gonna come back. And Jeremiah's like, no, plant vineyards, marry, seek the good of the city there. You're gonna be there a long time. Uh-huh. twenty so that's a big one. The the biggest text, and you know, again, this is just frustrating because I just want to go into all these texts. That's right. That's right. It's so good.

Allen: But what one that as listeners you should if there's one text in Jeremiah you should have kind of mentally bookmarked. It's chapter thirty-one, verses thirty-one to thirty-three. This is the prophecy, this is a restoration prophecy, and it's of the new covenant that's coming. That's right. And this gets directly quoted in Hebrews chapter eight as the new covenant that Christ has brought. So we have a direct promise in the old covenant in Jeremiah.

Jeramie: But what one that as listeners you should if there's one text in Jeremiah you should have kind of mentally bookmarked. It's chapter thirty-one, verses thirty-one to thirty-three. This is the prophecy, this is a restoration prophecy, and it's of the new covenant that's coming. That's right. And this gets directly quoted in Hebrews chapter eight as the new covenant that Christ has brought. So we have a direct promise in the old covenant in Jeremiah.

Allen: And directly fulfilled in Christ. So we who are in Christ are the inheritors of we live in this new covenant. Yeah, that's right. Right. So, you know, where he says, Look, I'll make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. so this is gonna be different from the Moses covenant. This is a new covenant. the this one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt. So this is not the Moses covenant. Instead, I'll make this covenant with them.

Jeramie: And directly fulfilled in Christ. So we who are in Christ are the inheritors of we live in this new covenant. Yeah, that's right. Right. So, you know, where he says, Look, I'll make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. so this is gonna be different from the Moses covenant. This is a new covenant. the this one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt. So this is not the Moses covenant. Instead, I'll make this covenant with them.

Allen: I'll put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. So they're gonna have God's word on their hearts, not just on stone tablets. No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother saying, Know the Lord, for they will all know me. So everyone in the covenant will have a person we might say today in our modern evangelical language, a personal relationship with God. They will all know God. That's right. And I will for forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more. So forgiveness, a new heart.

Jeramie: I'll put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. So they're gonna have God's word on their hearts, not just on stone tablets. No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother saying, Know the Lord, for they will all know me. So everyone in the covenant will have a person we might say today in our modern evangelical language, a personal relationship with God. They will all know God. That's right. And I will for forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more. So forgiveness, a new heart.

Allen: In a new relationship with God. These are the marks of being in the new covenant. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. The I've heard it said this way that the the Christian life is marked by newness. Yes. Right. You know, Secretians five seventeen, we're new creations. We're under the new covenant, right? And so we have, yeah, this idea of newness, which is prophesied, which by the way, by the time that they're receiving this prophecy to now the new covenant, we're talking like six hundred years ish, which is a long time. Mm-hmm.

Jeramie: In a new relationship with God. These are the marks of being in the new covenant. Yeah. Yeah, that's good. The I've heard it said this way that the the Christian life is marked by newness. Yes. Right. You know, Secretians five seventeen, we're new creations. We're under the new covenant, right? And so we have, yeah, this idea of newness, which is prophesied, which by the way, by the time that they're receiving this prophecy to now the new covenant, we're talking like six hundred years ish, which is a long time. Mm-hmm.

Allen: But you know, the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise promises. But in what we have is God's covenant, faithfulness to raise up the righteous one, right? Who is Christ, who is our righteousness, and and because of that, we're in him, in we're new creations in Christ. And so there's just great comfort here when all the doom and gloom, wrath and anger, God makes his promise and he's gonna be faithful to fulfill it again, as we see come through in the Messiah in Christ in the New Testament. But and and it has to be a new covenant because

Jeramie: But you know, the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise promises. But in what we have is God's covenant, faithfulness to raise up the righteous one, right? Who is Christ, who is our righteousness, and and because of that, we're in him, in we're new creations in Christ. And so there's just great comfort here when all the doom and gloom, wrath and anger, God makes his promise and he's gonna be faithful to fulfill it again, as we see come through in the Messiah in Christ in the New Testament. But and and it has to be a new covenant because

Allen: You know, here we are in Jeremiah at the very end of the old covenant. Yeah. It has not quote unquote worked. It has not preserved a people. They have broken the covenant that are under the covenant curse. Yeah. And so we need a covenant that not only tells the people these are the laws, but we need a covenant that writes it on their hearts so that they have the law inside them and that forgives their s sin in their iniquity. So that's the i we need a new kind of covenant. Yeah. Yeah. We needed a a new kind of covenant by which

Jeramie: You know, here we are in Jeremiah at the very end of the old covenant. Yeah. It has not quote unquote worked. It has not preserved a people. They have broken the covenant that are under the covenant curse. Yeah. And so we need a covenant that not only tells the people these are the laws, but we need a covenant that writes it on their hearts so that they have the law inside them and that forgives their s sin in their iniquity. So that's the i we need a new kind of covenant. Yeah. Yeah. We needed a a new kind of covenant by which

Allen: The one whom is going to fulfill that covenant wouldn't fail it. Yeah, that's right. Right. Which is of course, hey, the Israelites, Israel Judah, they failed. But then in the new covenant, the one who kept the covenant isn't going to fail. And that's Christ. Yeah. And he's the new branch, unlike the old branches, like in the Davidic covenant, they've all failed. Yeah. So yeah, y you need a you need the new person. and so that's that's Jeremiah. So, you know, look for those notes of hope. And again, sorry we can't

Jeramie: The one whom is going to fulfill that covenant wouldn't fail it. Yeah, that's right. Right. Which is of course, hey, the Israelites, Israel Judah, they failed. But then in the new covenant, the one who kept the covenant isn't going to fail. And that's Christ. Yeah. And he's the new branch, unlike the old branches, like in the Davidic covenant, they've all failed. Yeah. So yeah, y you need a you need the new person. and so that's that's Jeremiah. So, you know, look for those notes of hope. And again, sorry we can't

Allen: Don't have time to t say more, but there's just every chapter has some rich yeah new nuance in it. And I just think f probably for me as a pastor and and for people in ministry and for any of us out there who are in our families or neighborhoods and we're trying to represent Christ, you know, the the kind of rejection that Jeremiah faced is just a reminder that like God's people, God's faithful people always get rejection.

Jeramie: Don't have time to t say more, but there's just every chapter has some rich yeah new nuance in it. And I just think f probably for me as a pastor and and for people in ministry and for any of us out there who are in our families or neighborhoods and we're trying to represent Christ, you know, the the kind of rejection that Jeremiah faced is just a reminder that like God's people, God's faithful people always get rejection.

Allen: in some form or another from the world and they you know they get pushback and they get suffering and sometimes persecution. Yeah. Nothing new. Yeah. Yeah. That's a good encouragement. And I think the the biggest thing is just thank God that you're in the new covenant. Yeah, right. Like just just praise God and say thank you. You know. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Ecclesiastes five through ten. Mm-hmm. man, heart wrenching, gut checking, reality check through this section of text, right?

Jeramie: in some form or another from the world and they you know they get pushback and they get suffering and sometimes persecution. Yeah. Nothing new. Yeah. Yeah. That's a good encouragement. And I think the the biggest thing is just thank God that you're in the new covenant. Yeah, right. Like just just praise God and say thank you. You know. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Ecclesiastes five through ten. Mm-hmm. man, heart wrenching, gut checking, reality check through this section of text, right?

Allen: And this is why we need a redeemer in a new covenant, because, you know, this is such a an unflinching, courageous look at life in a sinful and fallen world where where death rules everything and is kind of the final word short of God's grace. y you know, Ecclesiastes seven two i is kind of a a keynote verse. It is better to go to a house of mourning.

Jeramie: And this is why we need a redeemer in a new covenant, because, you know, this is such a an unflinching, courageous look at life in a sinful and fallen world where where death rules everything and is kind of the final word short of God's grace. y you know, Ecclesiastes seven two i is kind of a a keynote verse. It is better to go to a house of mourning.

Allen: Than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind and the living should take it to heart. And in some ways, that's part of the program of the Book of Ecclesiastes, is it wants to just remind us of the the vanity of life in a fallen world, so that we don't think that the purpose of life is just, you know, grabbing everything we want out of life and making, you know, this world the way we want it to be. And and I I think it's just a great correct corrective to our

Jeramie: Than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind and the living should take it to heart. And in some ways, that's part of the program of the Book of Ecclesiastes, is it wants to just remind us of the the vanity of life in a fallen world, so that we don't think that the purpose of life is just, you know, grabbing everything we want out of life and making, you know, this world the way we want it to be. And and I I think it's just a great correct corrective to our

Allen: kind of modern optimism. You know, as Americans, we tend to be very optimistic. As modern modern people are optimistic, through technology and technique, we can overcome any problem. That's right. And and while that's true to some degree, like technology and technique have helped make advances. Yeah, in the end of the day, at the end of the day, there's death awaiting us and it renders life vain, even our greatest accomplishments. Yeah. So Ecclesiastes is just a really good reality check.

Jeramie: kind of modern optimism. You know, as Americans, we tend to be very optimistic. As modern modern people are optimistic, through technology and technique, we can overcome any problem. That's right. And and while that's true to some degree, like technology and technique have helped make advances. Yeah, in the end of the day, at the end of the day, there's death awaiting us and it renders life vain, even our greatest accomplishments. Yeah. So Ecclesiastes is just a really good reality check.

Allen: on human on humanism and human optimism. Yeah. Yeah, it's great. There's two particular things that really stood out to me. One comes in chapter eight, verses verse twelve says, Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God because they fear before him. So it's like what's the whole point of life? Fear God. Fear him. Like that was the whole point. even in continuing down, fourteen and fifteen, how this really changed me this week.

Jeramie: on human on humanism and human optimism. Yeah. Yeah, it's great. There's two particular things that really stood out to me. One comes in chapter eight, verses verse twelve says, Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God because they fear before him. So it's like what's the whole point of life? Fear God. Fear him. Like that was the whole point. even in continuing down, fourteen and fifteen, how this really changed me this week.

Allen: essentially he's like verse fifteen, and I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. So essentially God is sovereign, God has given him days. You're gonna face toil and striving and vanity. So the best thing you can do is enjoy the days that God has given you. Right. In the fear of the Lord. In the fear of the Lord. Right. That really changed me my this past week 'cause I was like, man I

Jeramie: essentially he's like verse fifteen, and I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun. So essentially God is sovereign, God has given him days. You're gonna face toil and striving and vanity. So the best thing you can do is enjoy the days that God has given you. Right. In the fear of the Lord. In the fear of the Lord. Right. That really changed me my this past week 'cause I was like, man I

Allen: There's so much stuff that goes on and surgery, especially just mean I was you know, I'm in the sling, I'm in surgery. I'm like, Well, there's nothing better than just to fear God and enjoy and eat and drink and be merry and be thankful. So I'm like, Yep. Yep. Yeah. So there's just kind of things that kind of transform me a little bit. chapter nine is a particularly, I'd say sobering chapter. Yeah. you know, it's the reality of death. Everyone is kind of looking at death, it's staring at us. and then

Jeramie: There's so much stuff that goes on and surgery, especially just mean I was you know, I'm in the sling, I'm in surgery. I'm like, Well, there's nothing better than just to fear God and enjoy and eat and drink and be merry and be thankful. So I'm like, Yep. Yep. Yeah. So there's just kind of things that kind of transform me a little bit. chapter nine is a particularly, I'd say sobering chapter. Yeah. you know, it's the reality of death. Everyone is kind of looking at death, it's staring at us. and then

Allen: the reality of wisdom better than foolishness because we're all gonna die. Like, hey, you need a you know message of encouragement. Well here it is. You're all gonna die. Which is which is again something we don't talk about a lot. I think we're sort of a a denial culture when it comes to death. But other generations thought often about death. And you know, the Psalms tell us to teach the Lord teach us a number of our days.

Jeramie: the reality of wisdom better than foolishness because we're all gonna die. Like, hey, you need a you know message of encouragement. Well here it is. You're all gonna die. Which is which is again something we don't talk about a lot. I think we're sort of a a denial culture when it comes to death. But other generations thought often about death. And you know, the Psalms tell us to teach the Lord teach us a number of our days.

Allen: And you know, so so it's it's actually a healthy thing just to remind yourself at the brevity of life and therefore what's ultimate is not this life. What's ultimate is not you know, our bucket list in this life. What's ultimate is eternal life with God. And that's really where our hope should be. But it's hard to keep it there. Yeah. So Ecclesiastes helps us with that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And short, you know, it's like remind yourself daily that you're going to die. Yeah. Which is a sobering thought.

Jeramie: And you know, so so it's it's actually a healthy thing just to remind yourself at the brevity of life and therefore what's ultimate is not this life. What's ultimate is not you know, our bucket list in this life. What's ultimate is eternal life with God. And that's really where our hope should be. But it's hard to keep it there. Yeah. So Ecclesiastes helps us with that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And short, you know, it's like remind yourself daily that you're going to die. Yeah. Which is a sobering thought.

Allen: do you know every once in a while there's a text I read in the Bible and you're like, is that really Bible? Or is that like and one of those is eleven, it says again, I saw under the sun, the race is not to the swift, not nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happened to them all. He's basically just like, I'm looking at life, I'm looking at people who do good and do bad. The same thing happens to them all. So it's just time and chance. So it seems like you're just playing a game of chance. You're like

Jeramie: do you know every once in a while there's a text I read in the Bible and you're like, is that really Bible? Or is that like and one of those is eleven, it says again, I saw under the sun, the race is not to the swift, not nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happened to them all. He's basically just like, I'm looking at life, I'm looking at people who do good and do bad. The same thing happens to them all. So it's just time and chance. So it seems like you're just playing a game of chance. You're like

Allen: Well what what about the sovereignty of God? What about God's in control? And it's just of course, you know, the author of Ecclesiastes isn't denying that, but he's basically saying it kinda just looks like chance because who knows what's gonna happen. The wind blows where the wind blows. That was one of those texts I was like, whoa. Yeah, and again, a lot of Ecclesiastes you have to remember too is is is it's it's a kind of observational approach to life in a sinful and fallen world. And so it's it's not that that it's teaching

Jeramie: Well what what about the sovereignty of God? What about God's in control? And it's just of course, you know, the author of Ecclesiastes isn't denying that, but he's basically saying it kinda just looks like chance because who knows what's gonna happen. The wind blows where the wind blows. That was one of those texts I was like, whoa. Yeah, and again, a lot of Ecclesiastes you have to remember too is is is it's it's a kind of observational approach to life in a sinful and fallen world. And so it's it's not that that it's teaching

Allen: chance right that God doesn't rule the universe I mean you can't you can't believe that that the writer of Ecclesiastes believes in chance in light of everything else he says in Ecclesiastes about God's sovereignty. but but it does seem that in life like there's there's no mechanical promise that if I do this, this and this, this will be my outcome. Yeah, that's right. and so it's again, it just tears down the idea of of human control of our lives. Yeah. Yeah. It's a good place to be to recognize that we're not in control. Yeah. Yeah.

Jeramie: chance right that God doesn't rule the universe I mean you can't you can't believe that that the writer of Ecclesiastes believes in chance in light of everything else he says in Ecclesiastes about God's sovereignty. but but it does seem that in life like there's there's no mechanical promise that if I do this, this and this, this will be my outcome. Yeah, that's right. and so it's again, it just tears down the idea of of human control of our lives. Yeah. Yeah. It's a good place to be to recognize that we're not in control. Yeah. Yeah.

Allen: Yeah. we're moving on in John chapter two, twelve to four forty-two. Yes. important passage in chapter twelve, where Jesus cleanses the temple. Yeah. Chapter two rather. But yeah. Yeah, chapter two. Yeah. What'd I say? Twelve. Twelve. Yeah, we're not there. People got scared. Yeah, people got people. chapter two, where you know, he tears down he

Jeramie: Yeah. we're moving on in John chapter two, twelve to four forty-two. Yes. important passage in chapter twelve, where Jesus cleanses the temple. Yeah. Chapter two rather. But yeah. Yeah, chapter two. Yeah. What'd I say? Twelve. Twelve. Yeah, we're not there. People got scared. Yeah, people got people. chapter two, where you know, he tears down he

Allen: cleans the temple and all the religious leaders like who said you could do that. And he says, destroy this temple, I'll raise it up in three days. And they're like, looking around the building. Of course that's what they think they're he's talking about, which he he so often does in John, where he references physical things, but he's really talking about spiritual things. Yeah. That's his like and he he'll do that in chapter three and four. Yeah. But he says, and they think he's talking about the physical temple. but first twenty one, he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Jeramie: cleans the temple and all the religious leaders like who said you could do that. And he says, destroy this temple, I'll raise it up in three days. And they're like, looking around the building. Of course that's what they think they're he's talking about, which he he so often does in John, where he references physical things, but he's really talking about spiritual things. Yeah. That's his like and he he'll do that in chapter three and four. Yeah. But he says, and they think he's talking about the physical temple. but first twenty one, he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Allen: So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this and they believed the scriptures and the statement that Jesus had made. So in in essence, Jesus is saying, I'm the real temple. Yeah. I'm the true temple. Yeah. So the Old Testament temple was merely there as a prefigurement of Christ Himself, who is God with us. You know, or you think back in chapter one where it says the word became flesh and dwelt among us. That

Jeramie: So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this and they believed the scriptures and the statement that Jesus had made. So in in essence, Jesus is saying, I'm the real temple. Yeah. I'm the true temple. Yeah. So the Old Testament temple was merely there as a prefigurement of Christ Himself, who is God with us. You know, or you think back in chapter one where it says the word became flesh and dwelt among us. That

Allen: That word is to live in a tent. So it's he was the tabernacle and here he's the temple. And you know, what's the temple? It's the place where God dwells among people. That's right. And Jesus is the tabernacle. Yeah. And he is the temple. Yeah. So that yeah. So the Old Testament temple finds its fulfillment in meaning in Christ. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, that sweet like reality that he comes to literally live in a twent tent tabernacle and dwell inside of us. Yeah. Which is, as you mentioned, he's obvious

Jeramie: That word is to live in a tent. So it's he was the tabernacle and here he's the temple. And you know, what's the temple? It's the place where God dwells among people. That's right. And Jesus is the tabernacle. Yeah. And he is the temple. Yeah. So that yeah. So the Old Testament temple finds its fulfillment in meaning in Christ. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, that sweet like reality that he comes to literally live in a twent tent tabernacle and dwell inside of us. Yeah. Which is, as you mentioned, he's obvious

Allen: He's pointing to physical things, but he's talking about spiritual things. And you can imagine maybe the faces on, you know, the Jews are like, Well, I'm actually coming to live inside of you. You're like, What are you why what are you talking about? God's never lived inside of anybody, He's always been in a temple or a tabernacle. And so there's again that newness of the n kind of new covenant, right? Which is marked by newness that God would actually come to live inside of him and each person would know God and would be written on their heart. Right. So there's so there's I guess a double sense there. I mean that

Jeramie: He's pointing to physical things, but he's talking about spiritual things. And you can imagine maybe the faces on, you know, the Jews are like, Well, I'm actually coming to live inside of you. You're like, What are you why what are you talking about? God's never lived inside of anybody, He's always been in a temple or a tabernacle. And so there's again that newness of the n kind of new covenant, right? Which is marked by newness that God would actually come to live inside of him and each person would know God and would be written on their heart. Right. So there's so there's I guess a double sense there. I mean that

Allen: And here he's talking about his physical body as the temple. Right. But then when the spirit comes and then the spirit dwells in us and we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. which I'm a little bit I'm a few chapters a little bit. About another step you see in chapter twelve. Chapter twelve is calling it. Yeah, that's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. chapter three, actually, to your point, is about the new birth. Yeah.

Jeramie: And here he's talking about his physical body as the temple. Right. But then when the spirit comes and then the spirit dwells in us and we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. which I'm a little bit I'm a few chapters a little bit. About another step you see in chapter twelve. Chapter twelve is calling it. Yeah, that's right. That's right. That's right. That's right. chapter three, actually, to your point, is about the new birth. Yeah.

Allen: What a remarkable passage. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, comes to Jesus and he's like, Hey, we know you're from God. He's like trying to talk to him as equals and Jesus just lays it on him. He's like, You can't enter the kingdom of God. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he's born again. Mm-hmm. And to say that to the ru a ruler of the Jews is pretty crazy. Yeah. You know, but but but you know, we can't enter God's kingdom unless we're born again. And you know, you say, What's it mean to be born again? Well, it's

Jeramie: What a remarkable passage. Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, comes to Jesus and he's like, Hey, we know you're from God. He's like trying to talk to him as equals and Jesus just lays it on him. He's like, You can't enter the kingdom of God. No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he's born again. Mm-hmm. And to say that to the ru a ruler of the Jews is pretty crazy. Yeah. You know, but but but you know, we can't enter God's kingdom unless we're born again. And you know, you say, What's it mean to be born again? Well, it's

Allen: Be in the new covenant. Yeah. It's to have this Holy Spirit give you a new birth, a new life, to write God's law on on our hearts, to give us new affections inside for God. And and it's something that God does, you know, he he talks about like the wind blowing where it wills. Like God is the one who's sovereign over the new birth. We can't make anyone born again. That's right. You can't make yourself born again. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. The wind blows where it wills. Yeah.

Jeramie: Be in the new covenant. Yeah. It's to have this Holy Spirit give you a new birth, a new life, to write God's law on on our hearts, to give us new affections inside for God. And and it's something that God does, you know, he he talks about like the wind blowing where it wills. Like God is the one who's sovereign over the new birth. We can't make anyone born again. That's right. You can't make yourself born again. That's right. Yeah. Yeah. The wind blows where it wills. Yeah.

Allen: There's a there's a really cool text in here, which the men study we've been going through numbers and this was actually what we studied last week. yeah, which is you know Numbers twenty-one verses four through nine there. I won't go cite them, but it's alluded to here in John three fourteen, where there's the story where the Israelites have rebelled against God and Moses, so God sent fiery serpents to bite their heels.

Jeramie: There's a there's a really cool text in here, which the men study we've been going through numbers and this was actually what we studied last week. yeah, which is you know Numbers twenty-one verses four through nine there. I won't go cite them, but it's alluded to here in John three fourteen, where there's the story where the Israelites have rebelled against God and Moses, so God sent fiery serpents to bite their heels.

Allen: And then he they recognize their sins, they go to the l to Moses and say, Pray to us for God to deliver us. And what he does is he takes this serpent, puts it up on a pole, and that if they look at that, they would be healed. Well, now flash forward all the way here to the New Testament, and we see that in as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. So what you have is this prefigurement or this shadow.

Jeramie: And then he they recognize their sins, they go to the l to Moses and say, Pray to us for God to deliver us. And what he does is he takes this serpent, puts it up on a pole, and that if they look at that, they would be healed. Well, now flash forward all the way here to the New Testament, and we see that in as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. So what you have is this prefigurement or this shadow.

Allen: Of hey, they're they're healed by looking up at this serpent that's cursed on this pole. But then now they're gonna look to Christ who was cursed on a tree. This is Deuteronomy 21 that says that everyone who is hanged on a tree is cursed. And so Jesus became a curse for us so that we would be now in Christ. And so yeah, there's this idea of like, man, thousands of years ago promised in the old covenant that there would be a son of man who would be lifted up and then that they would be healed by his wounds.

Jeramie: Of hey, they're they're healed by looking up at this serpent that's cursed on this pole. But then now they're gonna look to Christ who was cursed on a tree. This is Deuteronomy 21 that says that everyone who is hanged on a tree is cursed. And so Jesus became a curse for us so that we would be now in Christ. And so yeah, there's this idea of like, man, thousands of years ago promised in the old covenant that there would be a son of man who would be lifted up and then that they would be healed by his wounds.

Allen: Healed by Christ being lifted up and dying for our sins. So it's just one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. Yeah. It's it's an obscure reference if if you're not familiar with it in chapter three, verse 14. But when you read that background in Numbers, yeah, it it it's really powerful. You know, just the idea that that you look, you believe, and you're saved. that's the thing too. Like the people, all they can do is look at the snake and all we can do is look at Christ. We don't save ourselves, we don't make ourselves born again.

Jeramie: Healed by Christ being lifted up and dying for our sins. So it's just one of my favorite passages in the New Testament. Yeah. It's it's an obscure reference if if you're not familiar with it in chapter three, verse 14. But when you read that background in Numbers, yeah, it it it's really powerful. You know, just the idea that that you look, you believe, and you're saved. that's the thing too. Like the people, all they can do is look at the snake and all we can do is look at Christ. We don't save ourselves, we don't make ourselves born again.

Allen: You know, you say you can't make yourself born again. Like what am I supposed to do? Look to Christ. Yeah, the trait. Look to Christ. That's our job is to look to Christ by faith. Mm-hmm. And and then right after that, the thing you just quoted comes the famous John three sixteen, for God so loved the world, He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes, or in other words, looks by faith, like kinda like looking up at the serpent in him, will not perish, but will have eternal life. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Amen.

Jeramie: You know, you say you can't make yourself born again. Like what am I supposed to do? Look to Christ. Yeah, the trait. Look to Christ. That's our job is to look to Christ by faith. Mm-hmm. And and then right after that, the thing you just quoted comes the famous John three sixteen, for God so loved the world, He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes, or in other words, looks by faith, like kinda like looking up at the serpent in him, will not perish, but will have eternal life. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Amen.

Allen: chapter four, another great dialogue. So you get all these cool dialogues in John, these kind of extended theological conversations. Mm-hmm. And this is the Samaritan woman at the well. Yeah. And again Jesus talks about a physical thing, water, but he's referring to a spiritual thing, which is spiritual water, and is just telling the woman, like, I'm the one who can give you I'm I'm the real well, I can give you the real water, and the water will become a well in you, referring to the Holy Spirit. Mm-hmm.

Jeramie: chapter four, another great dialogue. So you get all these cool dialogues in John, these kind of extended theological conversations. Mm-hmm. And this is the Samaritan woman at the well. Yeah. And again Jesus talks about a physical thing, water, but he's referring to a spiritual thing, which is spiritual water, and is just telling the woman, like, I'm the one who can give you I'm I'm the real well, I can give you the real water, and the water will become a well in you, referring to the Holy Spirit. Mm-hmm.

Allen: So again, there's this reference to the indwelling work of the spirit, which is like being born again by the spirit, which is just different ways of talking about the experience of the new covenant. Mm-hmm. And that it it becomes the spirit's life in us. Yeah. And only Jesus can give. Yeah, that's good. So is you know, thirteen, fourteen, this is the promise Jesus makes. And I want you to help us draw some applications on here because I think sometimes this can be hard to apply. Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again.

Jeramie: So again, there's this reference to the indwelling work of the spirit, which is like being born again by the spirit, which is just different ways of talking about the experience of the new covenant. Mm-hmm. And that it it becomes the spirit's life in us. Yeah. And only Jesus can give. Yeah, that's good. So is you know, thirteen, fourteen, this is the promise Jesus makes. And I want you to help us draw some applications on here because I think sometimes this can be hard to apply. Jesus said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again.

Allen: But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty. She missed it. She missed it. She missed it. Right. Right? Or man, I'm I'm just thinking about today. I know this may be theological truth that Jesus is the water and I'll never be thirsty again. How do I keep coming back to him?

Jeramie: But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. The woman said to him, Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty. She missed it. She missed it. She missed it. Right. Right? Or man, I'm I'm just thinking about today. I know this may be theological truth that Jesus is the water and I'll never be thirsty again. How do I keep coming back to him?

Allen: Like when my soul or my well kind of feels a little bit dry, it maybe I'm not even feeling like, you know, I know Jesus, I'm supposed to be filled. Why don't I feel filled? What does it look like to come back to him so that he can satisfy my soul because he's the living water? I I mean I think one of the the fundamental ways is we come back to his word. Yeah. And we believe his word. y you know, it's interesting that in Ephesians five,

Jeramie: Like when my soul or my well kind of feels a little bit dry, it maybe I'm not even feeling like, you know, I know Jesus, I'm supposed to be filled. Why don't I feel filled? What does it look like to come back to him so that he can satisfy my soul because he's the living water? I I mean I think one of the the fundamental ways is we come back to his word. Yeah. And we believe his word. y you know, it's interesting that in Ephesians five,

Allen: We're told to be filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking one one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. So there's that filling up of the Holy Spirit, be filled. So clearly it's an ongoing experience. Not that you lose the Holy Spirit, but it's the idea of the the full work of the spirit and impact the spirit in our lives. So keep being filled with the spirit. and then if you look at the parallel text in Colossians three, sixteen.

Jeramie: We're told to be filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking one one another in Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. So there's that filling up of the Holy Spirit, be filled. So clearly it's an ongoing experience. Not that you lose the Holy Spirit, but it's the idea of the the full work of the spirit and impact the spirit in our lives. So keep being filled with the spirit. and then if you look at the parallel text in Colossians three, sixteen.

Allen: it says, Let the word of Christ dwell you in you richly, as you speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Yeah. So in Ephesians, and Ephesians Colossians have a ton of similarities. In fact, author, you know, scholars wonder like what the relationship is between the two. Did Paul write them one after the other? All those kind of things. but anyway, the the point is Ephesians, it's to be filled with the spirit.

Jeramie: it says, Let the word of Christ dwell you in you richly, as you speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Yeah. So in Ephesians, and Ephesians Colossians have a ton of similarities. In fact, author, you know, scholars wonder like what the relationship is between the two. Did Paul write them one after the other? All those kind of things. but anyway, the the point is Ephesians, it's to be filled with the spirit.

Allen: Colossians, it's let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. So I think one of the the ways we we keep being filled up is by reading the word of God and hearing the word of God. And because word and spirit always go together. Yeah. So yeah, I mean, which is of course that's why we're doing this podcast. Why we're doing the bo you know, why we're just trying to encourage ourselves to keep feeding on God's word. Yeah, it's good. It it it sounds it's it's funny because you just are like, What do you mean? You're just making that too simple. You know, it's like at well, you're like, that's way too simple.

Jeramie: Colossians, it's let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. So I think one of the the ways we we keep being filled up is by reading the word of God and hearing the word of God. And because word and spirit always go together. Yeah. So yeah, I mean, which is of course that's why we're doing this podcast. Why we're doing the bo you know, why we're just trying to encourage ourselves to keep feeding on God's word. Yeah, it's good. It it it sounds it's it's funny because you just are like, What do you mean? You're just making that too simple. You know, it's like at well, you're like, that's way too simple.

Allen: We're like, Yeah. Yeah. That's got it, right? And it's why is why a church, you know, our central thing is God's word. Yeah, it's right. Like we want to sing the word, we want to hear the preaching of his word, why we have Bible studies because we know that and people lose sight of that and then they replace the word with other things that aren't necessarily maybe bad things, but they become central. Like you you know, there's churches where like you know, what's central in the church, what's emphasized what's emphasized in its social activities or it's you know

Jeramie: We're like, Yeah. Yeah. That's got it, right? And it's why is why a church, you know, our central thing is God's word. Yeah, it's right. Like we want to sing the word, we want to hear the preaching of his word, why we have Bible studies because we know that and people lose sight of that and then they replace the word with other things that aren't necessarily maybe bad things, but they become central. Like you you know, there's churches where like you know, what's central in the church, what's emphasized what's emphasized in its social activities or it's you know

Allen: nifty programs or we're doing this service project in the community. All those can be good things. Great. But if the word's not at the center, then the water's not at the center. Yeah. And it's not the living water. Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Yeah. It's just, you know, we want to never lose our confidence that this word is doing something inside of us. Yeah. Is satisfying our soul. Even, you know, even when we don't feel it. Yeah. And it 'cause I think that's the hard part. There's a lot of times, you know, many times where I don't really read the word.

Jeramie: nifty programs or we're doing this service project in the community. All those can be good things. Great. But if the word's not at the center, then the water's not at the center. Yeah. And it's not the living water. Yeah. Yeah. That's good. Yeah. It's just, you know, we want to never lose our confidence that this word is doing something inside of us. Yeah. Is satisfying our soul. Even, you know, even when we don't feel it. Yeah. And it 'cause I think that's the hard part. There's a lot of times, you know, many times where I don't really read the word.

Allen: Yeah. But and I think that's at the same time, I know I need to read the word more than anything else. Why is it so hard to get y yourself to read the word? Yeah. Like what what is that? Well, well, I I actually I think it's two things. One, well, of course, our own human sinfulness. Sinfulness, yep. But then the reality Satan is alive. He doesn't want you to read it. He does not want you to hear from God. That's right. And I I don't think about that. I don't think I think about that enough. Where it's like

Jeramie: Yeah. But and I think that's at the same time, I know I need to read the word more than anything else. Why is it so hard to get y yourself to read the word? Yeah. Like what what is that? Well, well, I I actually I think it's two things. One, well, of course, our own human sinfulness. Sinfulness, yep. But then the reality Satan is alive. He doesn't want you to read it. He does not want you to hear from God. That's right. And I I don't think about that. I don't think I think about that enough. Where it's like

Allen: Part of hey, one of Satan's greatest tactics would be like, don't listen to your God. Don't listen to your heavenly father who is delighting to meet with you. Right. He calls you his bride. I mean, that's the first thing he said in the garden. Yeah. Did God really say? Did he really say that? Did he really say like you know, just like trying to get people off the word? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I think I think it's interesting. And I think what's also really interesting is think about old saints here who love the word, been reading the word their whole lives. The people who are like love the word the most, it's not like they

Jeramie: Part of hey, one of Satan's greatest tactics would be like, don't listen to your God. Don't listen to your heavenly father who is delighting to meet with you. Right. He calls you his bride. I mean, that's the first thing he said in the garden. Yeah. Did God really say? Did he really say that? Did he really say like you know, just like trying to get people off the word? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, I think I think it's interesting. And I think what's also really interesting is think about old saints here who love the word, been reading the word their whole lives. The people who are like love the word the most, it's not like they

Allen: just are so in love with the word that they it's so easy for them. Typically the people that I know that read the word the most will tell you it's really, really hard for me to get in my word and I have to pretty much break myself sometimes to get in the word. And so I think it's an encouragement 'cause it makes it reality. And it means it's, you know, if if there was no resistance, spiritual resistance, then you think like, maybe I shouldn't be doing this. But when there's, you know, it's kinda like when there's hardship, pushback, whatever. It's like, yeah, Satan's not happy.

Jeramie: just are so in love with the word that they it's so easy for them. Typically the people that I know that read the word the most will tell you it's really, really hard for me to get in my word and I have to pretty much break myself sometimes to get in the word. And so I think it's an encouragement 'cause it makes it reality. And it means it's, you know, if if there was no resistance, spiritual resistance, then you think like, maybe I shouldn't be doing this. But when there's, you know, it's kinda like when there's hardship, pushback, whatever. It's like, yeah, Satan's not happy.

Allen: Yeah. And there's this spiritual war. Yeah. but that's it. You got you've got to be people the word. by the way, last Sunday Chris preached. I was in a church in DC with at the church of one of my former associate pastors who went on to be a senior pastor. cool. So it's really cool to be there. But I I taught at their men's retreat and the theme they they chose was men of the book. Cool. And I love that. Yeah, it was it was great. It was real simple. And it was three, three, three talks. One was study the book, number two,

Jeramie: Yeah. And there's this spiritual war. Yeah. but that's it. You got you've got to be people the word. by the way, last Sunday Chris preached. I was in a church in DC with at the church of one of my former associate pastors who went on to be a senior pastor. cool. So it's really cool to be there. But I I taught at their men's retreat and the theme they they chose was men of the book. Cool. And I love that. Yeah, it was it was great. It was real simple. And it was three, three, three talks. One was study the book, number two,

Allen: Do the book or obey it. And number three is teach the book based on Ezra 710. Nice. So but that was, you know, I was like, why study the book? And we talked about Second Timothy three, and then it's like the reason you study the book is the book acts upon you. It's not like you're studying it so that you can fill your head up with information to mansplain to people. Yeah, that's right. It's it's you're you're wanting the book to affect you because it is breathed out by God, it is profitable, it is able.

Jeramie: Do the book or obey it. And number three is teach the book based on Ezra 710. Nice. So but that was, you know, I was like, why study the book? And we talked about Second Timothy three, and then it's like the reason you study the book is the book acts upon you. It's not like you're studying it so that you can fill your head up with information to mansplain to people. Yeah, that's right. It's it's you're you're wanting the book to affect you because it is breathed out by God, it is profitable, it is able.

Allen: To make us wise. So it's because the book is the living word of God. So that's why we read it is because it's gonna it's gonna fill us with that living water. Yeah. Amen. That's cool. I bet those the I'm sure they love those talks. It we had a good time. I love I love men's retreats because well, I AM a man. Yeah. I've never spoken to women's retreats. I I assume women's treats are great. I just never have been invited to speak at one. Which I take very personally. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's right. That's right. But you I I love men's treats too, 'cause you can just like speak like

Jeramie: To make us wise. So it's because the book is the living word of God. So that's why we read it is because it's gonna it's gonna fill us with that living water. Yeah. Amen. That's cool. I bet those the I'm sure they love those talks. It we had a good time. I love I love men's retreats because well, I AM a man. Yeah. I've never spoken to women's retreats. I I assume women's treats are great. I just never have been invited to speak at one. Which I take very personally. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's right. That's right. But you I I love men's treats too, 'cause you can just like speak like

Allen: Like straight mantle. Yeah. Yeah, you can. You just cut it straight. Be blunt. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can be blunt. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, that's that's great, man. And that's so cool that I think w I mean we were talking about this in our signal chat. That's our staff text thread, but I think in the elders, pastors apprentices chat of just how, you know, you've you've done a great job of raising up guys behind you. As you mentioned, this is your former associate who's now gone and be a senior pastor, and you get invited to go back and see the fruits that you bore. So I just had about the head.

Jeramie: Like straight mantle. Yeah. Yeah, you can. You just cut it straight. Be blunt. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You can be blunt. Yeah, that's right. Yeah, that's that's great, man. And that's so cool that I think w I mean we were talking about this in our signal chat. That's our staff text thread, but I think in the elders, pastors apprentices chat of just how, you know, you've you've done a great job of raising up guys behind you. As you mentioned, this is your former associate who's now gone and be a senior pastor, and you get invited to go back and see the fruits that you bore. So I just had about the head.

Allen: Mm-hmm. Who he's training. dude, that's cool. So it's like these are like my spiritual grandsons. Yeah, that's cool. That's cool. Yeah, it's really yeah, that'd be really sweet for you. Yeah. That's cool, man. That's all right. James. Yeah, James. Bringing it home with James. Yep. yeah. Talk about Mr. Feel Good. James. He's just Mr. Warm Hug. Yeah. Yeah. Some heavy text. Yeah, we do. John was like our sweetener. You know? It's like we're back to it. Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

Jeramie: Mm-hmm. Who he's training. dude, that's cool. So it's like these are like my spiritual grandsons. Yeah, that's cool. That's cool. Yeah, it's really yeah, that'd be really sweet for you. Yeah. That's cool, man. That's all right. James. Yeah, James. Bringing it home with James. Yep. yeah. Talk about Mr. Feel Good. James. He's just Mr. Warm Hug. Yeah. Yeah. Some heavy text. Yeah, we do. John was like our sweetener. You know? It's like we're back to it. Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

Allen: James chapter four. Yeah. so so much about spiritual wisdom and it back into even three thirteen, what does it look like to be truly wise or to be foolish? And you know, true wisdom is humility, it's being loving, gentle, full of mercy. to be foolish is to be arrogant, it's to be you know, self

Jeramie: James chapter four. Yeah. so so much about spiritual wisdom and it back into even three thirteen, what does it look like to be truly wise or to be foolish? And you know, true wisdom is humility, it's being loving, gentle, full of mercy. to be foolish is to be arrogant, it's to be you know, self

Allen: you know, self absorbed, having your own way, you know, selfish motives, and you know, constantly being in conflict 'cause you're not getting what you want. so so it's it's a great kind of take on wisdom and folly because it's not so much about information you know as it is how you live in community with other people. which is

Jeramie: you know, self absorbed, having your own way, you know, selfish motives, and you know, constantly being in conflict 'cause you're not getting what you want. so so it's it's a great kind of take on wisdom and folly because it's not so much about information you know as it is how you live in community with other people. which is

Allen: Which is a kind of a a fresh way of thinking about wisdom and folly. That's what of course it's very proverbial. I mean, that's a book of Proverbs. That's right, that's right. Is that people who are foolish bring disruption, drama, conflict, and discord to communities. Mm-hmm. And people who are wise bring unity and healing. And yeah. Yeah, that's good. there's a particular verse in here. you know, everyone's got their fighting verses. Yep. J s you know, we're just talking about the devices of Satan, how he doesn't want us to read the word, how he wants us to

Jeramie: Which is a kind of a a fresh way of thinking about wisdom and folly. That's what of course it's very proverbial. I mean, that's a book of Proverbs. That's right, that's right. Is that people who are foolish bring disruption, drama, conflict, and discord to communities. Mm-hmm. And people who are wise bring unity and healing and yeah. Yeah, that's good. there's a particular verse in here. you know, everyone's got their fighting verses. Yep. J s you know, we're just talking about the devices of Satan, how he doesn't want us to read the word, how he wants us to

Allen: Believe lies. James 4 7, here's a promise. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. So that's a regular verse when I'm feeling tempted to sin, when I'm feeling like I d don't want the things of God, I don't want a desire to God. I pray, Lord, I submit myself to you, I resist the devil, and I you know, and he'll flee. Like there is a promise here that, like, yeah, because the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me that over Jesus overcame the devil.

Jeramie: Believe lies. James 4 7, here's a promise. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. So that's a regular verse when I'm feeling tempted to sin, when I'm feeling like I d don't want the things of God, I don't want a desire to God. I pray, Lord, I submit myself to you, I resist the devil, and I you know, and he'll flee. Like there is a promise here that, like, yeah, because the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me that over Jesus overcame the devil.

Allen: That lives inside of me. And so I'm not under his yoke or under his bondage. That's right. But I can actually resist him and have victory in Christ. So that's a regular fighting verse for me. So if you ever struggle, you're struggling with temptation, you're struggling with coldness of heart, you're struggling with these things, cite this, Lord, submit myself to you and resist the devil, and he will flee because that's a promise. I love a few verses later, is verse eleven. Don't criticize in don't criticize one another, brothers and sisters.

Jeramie: That lives inside of me. And so I'm not under his yoke or under his bondage. That's right. But I can actually resist him and have victory in Christ. So that's a regular fighting verse for me. So if you ever struggle, you're struggling with temptation, you're struggling with coldness of heart, you're struggling with these things, cite this, Lord, submit myself to you and resist the devil, and he will flee because that's a promise. I love a few verses later, is verse eleven. Don't criticize in don't criticize one another, brothers and sisters.

Allen: Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. And again, I I think our human nature loves to criticize, defame, and judge. and we live in a culture that celebrates people ripping into each other. So th this I you know, it it's like we we don't it used to be that you could be ferocious in debating ideas. Yes. But you were polite and civil in terms of showing respect to each other. That's right.

Jeramie: Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. And again, I I think our human nature loves to criticize, defame, and judge. and we live in a culture that celebrates people ripping into each other. So th this I you know, it it's like we we don't it used to be that you could be ferocious in debating ideas. Yes. But you were polite and civil in terms of showing respect to each other. That's right.

Allen: so that people could have knocked down drag outs about ideas, but at the end of the day they loved each other. But today it's like we don't even think ideas. People don't they just go right at each other. Yeah, straight for the juggler. Straight for the juggler. It's all ad hominem, personal attacks. Yeah, that's right. so so I think like you know that that's shifted and and we just have to resist that. We have to be careful that in a church and our relationships, especially when we disagree about something. Yeah. It's like fine, let's disagree about a topic.

Jeramie: so that people could have knocked down drag outs about ideas, but at the end of the day they loved each other. But today it's like we don't even think ideas. People don't they just go right at each other. Yeah, straight for the juggler. Straight for the juggler. It's all ad hominem, personal attacks. Yeah, that's right. so so I think like you know that that's shifted and and we just have to resist that. We have to be careful that in a church and our relationships, especially when we disagree about something. Yeah. It's like fine, let's disagree about a topic.

Allen: But let's not criticize one another, defame, judge. You know, defaming like saying things that are bad about another person. Maybe they're not even true. Assuming things about them, assuming motives and narratives that it's like the other person's like, That's not why I'm doing what I'm doing or thinking what I'm thinking. Yeah. So just I d I just think that's a verse that that, you know, continues to have great impact for us and significance. Yeah. That's great wisdom. One of the things that I've been really helped by, someone said one time it's like

Jeramie: But let's not criticize one another, defame, judge. You know, defaming like saying things that are bad about another person. Maybe they're not even true. Assuming things about them, assuming motives and narratives that it's like the other person's like, That's not why I'm doing what I'm doing or thinking what I'm thinking. Yeah. So just I d I just think that's a verse that that, you know, continues to have great impact for us and significance. Yeah. That's great wisdom. One of the things that I've been really helped by, someone said one time it's like

Allen: You know, if your brothers and sisters in Christ, like church members especially, it's like just assume the best motives. Assume the best. Just just assume that they're op operating from good motives. Even when you disagree. Even when you disagree. Yeah. You're like, they disagree with me, but y you know, like so you disagree about things in the church and s assume that they want what's best for the church or the committee or the program or the Bible study. And you do too. You're just disagreeing on what's the best. Yeah. But assume that they're

Jeramie: You know, if your brothers and sisters in Christ, like church members especially, it's like just assume the best motives. Assume the best. Just just assume that they're op operating from good motives. Even when you disagree. Even when you disagree. Yeah. You're like, they disagree with me, but y you know, like so you disagree about things in the church and it's assume that they want what's best for the church or the committee or the program or the Bible study. And you do too. You're just disagreeing on what's the best. Yeah. But assume that they're

Allen: They're for the good of the church. It's free for your soul. Yeah. And they're good for you. Yeah. You know. and then that helps you kind of depersonalize and de emotionalize things and then just kind of think rationally. Okay, well, what is the best answer to that thing? Yeah. Yeah. another great passage in James Four is just remembering that God is sovereign over the future, you know, four thirteen to seventeen, where he, you know, we we like to say, I'm gonna do this tomorrow, I'm gonna do this next year. Yeah.

Jeramie: They're for the good of the church. It's free for your soul. Yeah. And they're good for you. Yeah. You know. and then that helps you kind of depersonalize and de emotionalize things and then just kind of think rationally. Okay, well, what is the best answer to that thing? Yeah. Yeah. another great passage in James Four is just remembering that God is sovereign over the future, you know, four thirteen to seventeen, where he, you know, we we like to say, I'm gonna do this tomorrow, I'm gonna do this next year. Yeah.

Allen: Instead you should say verse fifteen, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. Yeah. Lord willing. Lord willing. Yeah. Lord willing. Lord willing. I love those people that go, Yeah, Lord willing, I'm gonna that. Yeah, Lord willing. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And and I think we've talked about this. It's just a good like thing to add into our vocabulary as Christians. Lord willing. Yeah. And even with non Christians. Yeah. You know, like, yeah, well, I'll do that, Lord willing. And, you know, why do you say that? Well, because you know, man plans and God laughs. Yeah.

Jeramie: Instead you should say verse fifteen, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. Yeah. Lord willing. Lord willing. Yeah. Lord willing. Lord willing. I love those people that go, Yeah, Lord willing, I'm gonna that. Yeah, Lord willing. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And and I think we've talked about this. It's just a good like thing to add into our vocabulary as Christians. Lord willing. Yeah. And even with non Christians. Yeah. You know, like, yeah, well, I'll do that, Lord willing. And, you know, why do you say that? Well, because you know, man plans and God laughs. Yeah.

Allen: That's right. We really believe like our life is not our own. Yeah. Yeah. That's right. Man, chapter five, it's got a ton in there. Ton in there. love the the call if you're sick to call the elders of the church to pray. And I just want to say to anyone who's out there, we do that as elders. Mm-hmm. That if if you are sick and you want to pray in faith, you know, we do anoint with oil and pray over those who are sick. That's great. So you have to call the elders. Yeah.

Jeramie: That's right. We really believe like our life is not our own. Yeah. Yeah. That's right. Man, chapter five, it's got a ton in there. Ton in there. love the the call if you're sick to call the elders of the church to pray. And I just want to say to anyone who's out there, we do that as elders. Mm-hmm. That if if you are sick and you want to pray in faith, you know, we do anoint with oil and pray over those who are sick. That's great. So you have to call the elders. Yeah.

Allen: You know, we don't just set up a booth outside the courtyard. Yeah. Call the elders. Yeah. Like it says here. Cause that's part of your step of faith. Mm-hmm. Is that you're calling the elders in faith and they'll come and anoint you with oil. verse five fourteen. And the prayer of faith will save the sick person, the Lord will raise them up. And if he's committed sins, he'll be forgiven. Mm-hmm. So isn't that amazing that that God uses the prayers of the body and confession one another to bring about healing in his time. Yeah.

Jeramie: You know, we don't just set up a booth outside the courtyard. Yeah. Call the elders. Yeah. Like it says here. Cause that's part of your step of faith. Mm-hmm. Is that you're calling the elders in faith and they'll come and anoint you with oil. verse five fourteen. And the prayer of faith will save the sick person, the Lord will raise them up. And if he's committed sins, he'll be forgiven. Mm-hmm. So isn't that amazing that that God uses the prayers of the body and confession one another to bring about healing in his time. Yeah.

Allen: That's so good. Yeah. Okay. So yeah, sickness and sins. It says, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great powers at as it is working, or the old King James says has the prayers of an affectious, righteous person availth much. I just think it's a good word. Availeth. Availeth. Yeah. Yeah. isn't that interesting where confession is healing? Yeah. In like with so much, I think, again, on that theme of like one of Satan's lies is to say

Jeramie: That's so good. Yeah. Okay. So yeah, sickness and sins. It says, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great powers at as it is working, or the old King James says has the prayers of an affectious, righteous person availth much. I just think it's a good word. Availeth. Availeth. Yeah. Yeah. isn't that interesting where confession is healing? Yeah. In like with so much, I think, again, on that theme of like one of Satan's lies is to say

Allen: they're you're gonna go confess your sin to a brother or sister in Christ or an elder, someone who's been entrusted with your soul and wants nothing more for you but to commune with God, right? That they're gonna condemn and shame you. It's like, no, confess so you can be healed. Yeah. Yeah. And in fact, sometimes people are like, if I go confess my sins, they're gonna drag me in front of the church and discipline me. It's like, no, you don't understand. Like, yeah, the whole point is that we confess and repent. Yeah. You know, church discipline is for people.

Jeramie: they're you're gonna go confess your sin to a brother or sister in Christ or an elder, someone who's been entrusted with your soul and wants nothing more for you but to commune with God, right? That they're gonna condemn and shame you. It's like, no, confess so you can be healed. Yeah. Yeah. And in fact, sometimes people are like, if I go confess my sins, they're gonna drag me in front of the church and discipline me. It's like, no, you don't understand. Like, yeah, the whole point is that we confess and repent. Yeah. You know, church discipline is for people.

Allen: Who are clearly caught in sin and don't confess. That's right. And don't repent. Yeah, that's right. That's what that is. But like if you're if you're like saying, like, man, I'm caught in this sin, let's confess, then it's like, great. That's the goal. Yeah. That is that is back to repentance and faith and to come to Jesus in whom there's forgiveness. Yeah. Yeah. There's healing. There's healing. Yeah, that's the goal. Healing, restoration. That's right. so but I I think we don't think about that a lot. Just the power of communion.

Jeramie: Who are clearly caught in sin and don't confess. That's right. And don't repent. Yeah, that's right. That's what that is. But like if you're if you're like saying, like, man, I'm caught in this sin, let's confess, then it's like, great. That's the goal. Yeah. That is that is back to repentance and faith and to come to Jesus in whom there's forgiveness. Yeah. Yeah. There's healing. There's healing. Yeah, that's the goal. Healing, restoration. That's right. so but I I think we don't think about that a lot. Just the power of communion.

Allen: confessing to each other in the body of Christ and praying for each other in the body of Christ. That's right. Any concluding words? no. Just it's good to be back. Looking forward to continuing our Sunday morning study in First Samuel, which is so rich. And well, I guess Revelation's coming up pretty soon in the letters is coming.

Jeramie: confessing to each other in the body of Christ and praying for each other in the body of Christ. That's right. Any concluding words? no. Just it's good to be back. Looking forward to continuing our Sunday morning study in First Samuel, which is so rich. And well, I guess Revelation's coming up pretty soon in the letters is coming.

Allen: There's never been a debate about how that book should be interpreted and church. It'll be easy. It'll be easy. Do you think maybe in fact it's so easy? Do you think maybe when we get to that part in this podcast we should just skip Revelation? I think yeah, that'd be a good point. If you listeners out there feel like we should talk about it, just like let us know. We we're probably gonna skip it unless you say we'll probably skip it. Here, here's here. That's all you need to know about Revelation. Jesus is coming back. That's right. That's it.

Jeramie: There's never been a debate about how that book should be interpreted and church. It'll be easy. It'll be easy. Do you think maybe in fact it's so easy? Do you think maybe when we get to that part in this podcast we should just skip Revelation? I think yeah, that'd be a good point. If you listeners out there feel like we should talk about it, just like let us know. We we're probably gonna skip it unless you say we'll probably skip it. Here, here's here. That's all you need to know about Revelation. Jesus is coming back. That's right. That's it.

Allen: What else are you? God wins. That's all we're going to say. God wins. God wins. God wins. Amen. Well, this has been another episode of the SCC Saver Podcast where we're savoring God through every bite of scripture. Till next time.

Jeramie: What else are you? God wins. That's all we're going to say. God wins. God wins. God wins. Amen. Well, this has been another episode of the SCC Saver Podcast where we're savoring God through every bite of scripture. Till next time.