Dying to the World with Christ
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
Release Date: 04/02/2025
Demons and the Sovereignty of God
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony delve into the topic of demons and spiritual warfare, exploring what the Bible teaches about these spiritual entities and their activity in the world. The conversation begins with an examination of Job 1, where Satan appears in the heavenly court to accuse Job, demonstrating how God’s sovereignty encompasses even the actions of the devil and his demons. The discussion emphasizes that while demons are real and dangerous, they operate under the ultimate authority of God, who uses even their actions to fulfill His purposes. The hosts...
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Understanding Spiritual Battles in Daily Life
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal tackle the often-overlooked topic of spiritual warfare, focusing on the biblical truths about angels and demons. The discussion begins by affirming the reality of Satan and his demons as active agents in the world, working to oppose God and deceive humanity. Drawing from both Scripture and personal experiences, the hosts emphasize the importance of being aware of the spiritual battles that Christians face daily and how these confrontations are a central part of our spiritual journey. The conversation highlights the need...
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The Lord’s Day and Its Significance
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this engaging episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal dive into the rich theological and practical significance of the Sabbath in Reformed theology. They begin by discussing the dual aspects of the Sabbath as a creation ordinance and a ceremonial practice, explaining how it is both a moral obligation for all humanity and a type that pointed forward to Christ's redemptive work. The hosts emphasize that the Sabbath is a blessing, not a burden, designed for rest, worship, and spiritual renewal. The conversation explores how the Sabbath transitions from the seventh...
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Capturing Knowledge That Glorifies God
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Tony Arsenal takes listeners on a deep dive into the art and purpose of effective note-taking, particularly within the context of Christian living and theological study. With Jesse absent for this episode, Tony explores practical techniques to help Christians retain, process, and apply what they read, whether it be from Scripture, theological works, or even secular writings. Highlighting his own personal process, Tony emphasizes the importance of reading with intention and grounding all study in the ultimate goal of glorifying God and enjoying Him...
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Christian Unity in Action
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony explore Paul’s letter to Philemon, unpacking its rich theological and practical implications. At the heart of the discussion is Paul’s appeal for Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a Christian. Paul’s letter serves as a vivid demonstration of how the gospel transforms relationships, highlighting the themes of forgiveness, restitution, and reconciliation. The hosts reflect on the radical nature of grace, which not only calls for the restoration of broken relationships but also compels believers to go above and beyond in...
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From Slave to Brother
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb and Tony Arsenal delve into the letter of Philemon, focusing on the transformative power of the gospel in relationships. They examine Paul’s heartfelt appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, a slave who has become a believer and is now returning as a brother in Christ. The discussion reflects on the profound theological implications of forgiveness, reconciliation, and Christian unity, as well as the way the gospel subverts societal roles while upholding spiritual kinship. Jesse and Tony explore the delicate yet powerful language...
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The Fellowship of Faith
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode, Jesse and Tony dive into the letter of Philemon, exploring its rich themes of forgiveness, reconciliation, and Christian unity. As a follow-up to their study of Colossians, this episode highlights how the gospel transforms relationships and challenges believers to live out their faith in practical ways. Paul’s appeal to Philemon serves as a powerful example of applying theology to real-life situations, emphasizing the importance of love and mutual partnership in faith. The discussion unpacks Paul’s unique rhetorical approach in addressing Philemon. Instead of commanding...
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Lessons from Paul’s Closing Words
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
n this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony dive into the final verses of Colossians 4, reflecting on Paul’s closing words and the rich theological and practical insights they offer. The discussion begins by addressing the significance of these often-overlooked sections of scripture, emphasizing their God-breathed purpose and the enduring lessons they provide for the church today. Paul's ministry partners, including Tychicus, Onesimus, and Luke, take center stage as Jesse and Tony explore how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes in His kingdom. The...
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Prayer as the Christian’s Lifeline
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of the Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony dive into Colossians 4:2–6, unpacking its rich themes of persistent prayer, evangelism, and the importance of gracious communication. They explore Paul's exhortation to the Colossian church, focusing on how prayer, wisdom, and speech are integral to a Christian's life and witness. The conversation emphasizes that prayer is not merely an action but a defining characteristic of the Christian life, reflecting the believer's intimacy with God and reliance on His grace. The hosts examine Paul's request for prayers that his proclamation...
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Understanding Christian Household Ethics
Reformed Brotherhood | Reformed Theology and Brotherly Love
In this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse Schwamb dives deep into the rich and challenging teachings of Colossians 3:18–4:1 on Christian household ethics. With Tony absent, Jesse takes the reins to explore the revolutionary and countercultural aspects of Paul's instructions to wives, husbands, children, and slaves. He emphasizes how these teachings, though often misunderstood or misapplied, are deeply rooted in the lordship of Christ and the call for submission, love, and service within the family structure. Jesse begins by highlighting the groundbreaking nature of Paul's...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Reformed Brotherhood, Jesse and Tony explore Colossians 2:13-23, focusing on the sufficiency of Christ and the freedom believers have in Him. The conversation begins with a discussion on the legalistic practices that Paul warns against, such as strict food regulations, festivals, and other ceremonial laws, which are described as shadows pointing to the true substance—Jesus Christ. The hosts emphasize that Christ's work on the cross has fulfilled all these requirements, liberating believers from the constraints of legalism and empty religious rituals.
The episode addresses the deeper theological implications of being “dead to the world with Christ.” This union with Christ means believers are no longer bound by man-made regulations or ascetic practices that offer no real value in battling sin or promoting true spiritual growth. Instead, believers are called to hold fast to Christ, the source of all spiritual nourishment and growth. The hosts also caution against the dangers of being disqualified by falling into legalistic or mystical practices, which disconnect believers from the sufficiency of Christ.
Wrapping up, Jesse and Tony highlight the liberating power of the Gospel, stressing that true Christian freedom is found in living in accordance with God's moral law, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a joyful response to the grace and love of Christ. This episode is a call to reject legalism and embrace the freedom and sufficiency that comes through union with Christ.
Key Points:
- The Shadows of the Old Testament Point to Christ: The Old Testament ceremonial laws, such as dietary restrictions, festivals, and Sabbaths, were shadows that anticipated Christ. With His coming, these shadows are fulfilled in the substance of Jesus.
- Union with Christ Brings Freedom: Being united with Christ means believers are no longer subject to legalistic or ascetic practices, as they are dead to the elemental spirits of the world and alive in Christ.
- The Dangers of Legalism and Empty Rituals: Legalism and man-made religious practices cannot bring about true spiritual growth or victory over sin. Instead, they risk disconnecting believers from the sufficiency of Christ.
- True Christian Freedom and Obedience: Freedom in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence but an invitation to live joyfully within God's moral law, empowered by His grace.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does understanding Christ as the substance of the Old Testament shadows change the way you view the ceremonial laws?
- In what ways have you seen legalistic or ascetic practices fail to promote true spiritual growth in your life or in others?
- How can you hold fast to Christ as the source of spiritual nourishment in a world full of distractions and false teachings?
- What does true Christian freedom look like in your daily life, and how does it differ from a life constrained by legalism?