What's Better Than Mind Over Matter? - U, Inc.
Essential Church Podcast
SUMMARY The concept of "You Incorporated" - examining whether we would keep our job if we were the CEO, CFO, or manager of our own lives. The issue of self-control and being "mastered" by things we desire, such as addictions, impulses, and cravings. The limitations of willpower and the ancient Greek philosophical idea of the "mind over matter" approach to self-control. The importance of having a greater passion or love for something more than our cravings and desires, as exemplified by athletes in training. The example of Jesus, who endured the cross for the "joy set before him" - his love...
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Follow the Money to Find Faith - U, Inc.
Essential Church Podcast
SUMMARY The importance of managing your finances and being a faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you. The biblical principles of budgeting, avoiding debt, and prioritizing God over money. How our finances and spending habits reveal the true condition of our hearts and relationship with God. The temporary nature of earthly possessions and the need to focus on eternal, spiritual riches. The danger of loving money and the need to choose to serve God rather than money. The call to examine our own financial practices and align them with God's principles. The need for...
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The Politics of Jesus Part 3 - Thy Kingdom Come
Essential Church Podcast
The Politics of Jesus Part 3 Thy Kingdom Come Essential Church November 10, 2024 SUMMARY: The speaker emphasizes that the central focus of Jesus' teachings was the kingdom of God, not political agendas or ideologies. The speaker explains that the kingdom of God is not a physical, political entity, but a spiritual reality that is present among us and within us when we recognize Jesus as the King of kings. The speaker uses various parables told by Jesus to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of God, such as the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, the yeast, the wedding...
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The Politics of Jesus Part 2 - Thy Kingdom Come
Essential Church Podcast
The Politics of Jesus Part 2 Thy Kingdom Come Essential Church November 3, 2024 Summary - The speaker addresses the topic of Jesus' politics and how it is often misunderstood or used to support certain political views. The speaker examines the interaction between Jesus and Pilate, where Pilate asks Jesus if he is the "King of the Jews" and Jesus responds ambiguously, saying "You have said so." The speaker explains that Jesus was not interested in establishing a political or theocratic kingdom, but rather a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of people. The speaker cautions against deifying or...
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The Politics of Jesus Part 1 - Thy Kingdom Come
Essential Church Podcast
The Politics of Jesus Thy Kingdom Come Essential Church October 27, 2024 Summary - Jesus was asked a political question about paying taxes to Caesar, but he avoided taking a partisan stance. Jesus emphasized that the ultimate allegiance should be to God, not any earthly political authority. The transcript discusses the historical context of the Pharisees and Herodians, two opposing political factions in Jesus' time. The speaker cautions against making politics the primary focus, rather than the message of the gospel and a relationship with Jesus. The speaker argues that Jesus did not come...
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Prayer vs. Action
Essential Church Podcast
Prayer vs. Action Essential Church October 20, 2024
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Empathy and Narcissism - FRIENDS
Essential Church Podcast
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Social Media and Friendship - FRIENDS
Essential Church Podcast
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Marriage and Friendship - FRIENDS
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What Does It Mean To Go Deeper With God? - FRIENDS
Essential Church Podcast
Message from Steve Swisher on September 22, 2024.
info_outlineThe Politics of Jesus Part 2
Thy Kingdom Come
Essential Church
November 3, 2024
Summary -
- The speaker addresses the topic of Jesus' politics and how it is often misunderstood or used to support certain political views.
- The speaker examines the interaction between Jesus and Pilate, where Pilate asks Jesus if he is the "King of the Jews" and Jesus responds ambiguously, saying "You have said so."
- The speaker explains that Jesus was not interested in establishing a political or theocratic kingdom, but rather a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of people.
- The speaker cautions against deifying or sanctifying political candidates as being God's "anointed" choice, as this is not supported by Scripture.
- The speaker acknowledges the truth in the proverb that "when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice," but argues that it is not always clear who the "righteous" candidate is.
- The speaker suggests that the founding principles of the United States were aligned with biblical principles, but that the country has since drifted away from those foundations.
- The speaker emphasizes that the primary calling of the church is to lead people to a relationship with God, not to promote a particular political agenda or candidate.
Discussion Questions -
- What is the main point the speaker is trying to make about Jesus' politics and the relationship between Christianity and politics?
- The speaker discusses the idea of a "theocracy" and how the people in the Old Testament asked for a king, which displeased God. What is the significance of this and how does it relate to the speaker's views on Christianity and politics?
- The speaker references various Bible verses and passages that are often used to justify certain political views. How does the speaker analyze and interpret these verses differently?
- What does the speaker mean when he says that Jesus' kingdom is "not of this world" and that Jesus deliberately gave an ambiguous answer to Pilate's question about being a king?
- The speaker cautions against "deifying" or "sanctifying" any particular political candidate as God's "anointed" choice. Why does he think this is problematic, and what does he suggest should guide Christians' political views and voting decisions instead?
- Overall, what is the speaker's perspective on the relationship between Christianity and politics, and how does he think Christians should approach political issues and elections?