https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-iyfpi-174bf1a

In today’s episode, Mike talks about body life and the meat of this Spiritual Hamburger: the primacy of love.

In his letter, Paul continues to emphasize unity and service because the gifts of the spirit caused disunity and unloving actions in the church. Let’s listen for God’s instruction to the church today.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

. . . eagerly desire the greater gifts, and now I will show you a most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jn3pd-174294d

Today we look a very important part of this Spiritual Hamburger: the lists of spiritual gifts that Paul gives in his letters — what are they, how do we get them, and why they are given. They are:

1. Prophecy (4x)
2. Teaching (3x)
3. Speaking in different kinds of tongues (2x)
4. Healing (2X)
5. Interpretation of tongues
6. Message (Word) of wisdom 
7. Message (Word) of knowledge 
8. Faith 
9. Miraculous powers
10. Distinguishing between spirits
11. Apostolic
12. Evangelistic
13. Pastoral
14. Workers of Miracles
15. Helping others
16. Administration
17. Service
18. Encouraging/Exhortation
19. Contributing to the needs of others
20. Leading
21. Acting in Mercy

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-tc8md-172b16c

Today we continue our look at the “Spiritual Hamburger” of 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14.

Mike addresses the questions – Why does the Lord give His gifts to His people? Are we limited to just one spiritual gift? What does it mean to see a ‘manifestion of the Spirit’?

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-tmsk3-1727c14

Joseph wasn’t bitter toward his brothers who threw him into the pit and sold him as a slave to Egypt, or toward Potiphar’s wife who lied about him and got him thrown into jail. It was part of God’s plan. 

 Jesus wasn’t bitter toward Judas who betrayed him. Of course it hurt to be betrayed by a friend. But the truth is Jesus could have completed His mission without John, James and Peter, but He could not have done it without Judas. Judas was the only apostle necessary in Jesus’ life to get Him to the cross and fulfill what God had for His life. 

 In the same way, we all need a Judas in our lives to help us get to our cross so we can die to ourselves and fulfill God’s plan for our lives.  

The people who hurt us most are the biggest blessing because it brings us closer to God, and causes us to die to ourselves so we can become more like Christ and live for all that God has for us. There is no reason for me or anyone else to become bitter. 

 We’re also called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. It’s not as easy to do as it is to say, but I’ve grown in this last year. God has really been teaching me the importance of this, of loving our enemies, of praying for those who persecute us, and to not become bitter when people hurt us. 

 So, remember, it all helps us to become more like Jesus. When people speak evil against us and lie like Jesus said they would, it can turn to a blessing. 

 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-rw26x-171c068

The purpose of this series of talks is to de-mystify a Biblical sandwich, a text that has often been divisive and/or misunderstood, very often taken out of context or broken into constituent parts. 

If you don’t have beef, do you have a hamburger?

Let’s talk about a Biblical Hamburger. 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zbhc7-16f2155

In this episode Mike looks at a real-world application of a Greek noun.

Do you need a lawyer? God provides one who will be with you forever.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-wcgm9-16e322f

What is the intended result for human beings? What is the goal and outcome of our walk with God?

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. — Philippians 2

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xf9wy-16d7051

Today we continue the extended series of episodes titled As He Leads. Mike turns on the microphone and shares what he senses the Lord saying.

May these words edify, encourage and comfort you or someone near you today.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jwuzv-16c39ab

Today, we look at the words of Jesus to the church in Laodicea:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ktzwq-165aad7

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15

There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. — 2 Timothy 3