Burden And Blessing Podcast

Join pastors Nathanael Mayhew, Neal Radichel and Mark Tiefel as they discuss the question whether Jesus really did die and rise again. One will take the Biblical perspective and another will approach it from a secular perspective in this debate series. In this we try to replicate the arguments that are presented against the Scriptural teaching and in conversations or disagreements that Christians may have in their daily lives. Join us again as we dig into why the death and resurrection of Jesus are so important, and what lies behind the assertions of many non-believers when this topic comes up and as we study what God has to say to us in His Word.

This second letter of John was written to the church. It has the assurance to us that God's Word doesn't change. Love" is a distinguishing feature, but needs to be appropriately defined. Love is the message of God's Word as seen in the work of Jesus for us. We also pass that love on to others. Our summary verse is from 2 John 1:5: “And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another." – (NKJV)

You will find an emphasis on true and false teaching in 1 John. It has has always been a mark of the true church to distinguish between what is true and false. John points to errors about the nature of Jesus, the nature of sin, the role of sanctification in the life of a Christian and more. No teaching of Scripture is unimportant. If God has given it, it is for our good, and we are called to defend it and proclaim it faithfully. Our summary verse is from 1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – (CSB)

Join Pastors Neal Radichel and Ben Libby for a review of Genesis 22 and application to the suffering and death of Jesus. The accounts is called the testing of Abraham, or the sacrifice of Isaac, and is full of imagery that connects to the sacrifice and death of Jesus for us. Join them as they dig into these verses and enrich our Lenten meditation on this Good Friday. 

John's gospel is unique in that it focuses on the person and power of Jesus, the Word made flesh. It details His miracles. It details His "I am" statements and His words from the cross. We thought this summary statement was fitting. Because Jesus not only has the words of eternal life, Jesus is the Word... the way, the truth, and the life! Our summary verse is from John 6:68: “Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life.” – (CSB)

Jude was dealing with false teaching and false thinking that was infiltrating the church. His purpose is to motivate Christians to be faithful to their calling and to stand up for the truth of God's Word. The phrase "contend earnestly" is one word in Greek and means to "fight" or "strive" or "go to battle". This is serious. We are at war. War is costly. It require sacrifice, commitment, determination. We have to know what is at stake! Jude's words are especially fitting in our modern world today. Our summary verse is from Jude 1:3: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” – (NKJV)

Hebrews was written to a group of people who were suffering persecution and were thinking about returning back to Judaism. The writer points out that Christ is the "real deal" and that all other religions are empty, because they don't have Him! It is only because of and in Jesus that we have salvation through the mercy and grace of God, and through which we are assured that our prayers are heard! Our summary verse is from Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – (KJV)

This is the last of Paul's "pastoral letters" and the last of his letters as he neared execution. It is more personal than the other pastoral letters, and shows a concern for Timothy and Christ's Church in general. It is a message of warning, comfort and encouragement, and gives confidence to every Christian in troubled times through the Word! Our summary verse is from 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – (ESV)

Abide with Me is a beloved hymn for many Christians and is often sung at Christian funerals. While it is found in the evening section of many hymnals because of its Scriptural foundation (The Emmaus Disciples), it focuses on our confidence in life and death in the Lord Jesus. Join Pastors Ben Libby and Nathanael Mayhew as they take a look at the background and theological depth of this beautiful hymn and point to the comfort and assurance we have in Christ.  

Mark's Gospel was intended for a Gentile audience and is the shortest of the Gospels and very fast paced. It deals more with the actions of Jesus and his purpose is to show Jesus as the Son of God as proved by His actions. Mark also reveals Jesus as the saving Servant who comes to give His life in order to accomplish mankind's salvation. This Gospel humbles us to understand the love an humility of our Savior Jesus! Our summary verse is from Mark 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." – (NKJV)

This is known as the letter of "knowledge" because various forms of "know" occur 16 times. This was in contrast to gnosticism, pointed to Jesus as Savior as the only true and all important knowledge. That knowledge which Peter describes is good for this life and for the life to come! Our summary verse is from 2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” (ESV)

Cancel Culture has become the new norm in our society. What is cancel culture? Join a roundtable discussion with Pastors Nathanael Mayhew, Neal Radichel and Mark Tiefel for an explanation and discussion on Cancel Culture from a Christian perspective. Learn about the dangers of the movement, and how we as Christians can bear witness to the truth in such a climate. 

Purpose of Peter's first letter was to encourage Christians in suffering, in hope, in sanctification. The word "suffer" occurs 16 times, and there are 30 imperatives or commands which point to the change in the Christian as a result of Christ's work for him or her. This passage highlights God's good and perfect gifts and how the Lord wants us to use them and grow in them. This is the Doctrine of Vocation! Our summary verse is from 1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – (NKJV)

This is the second of the "Pastoral letters" - written to other church leaders as an encouragement in the ministry. Titus was with Paul on his 3rd journey, collected the offering for Jerusalem, then began work on Crete. In this letter Paul puts again an emphasis on "sound doctrine", dealing with false teachers, and proper conduct. It serves as a mini Dogmatics book! Our summary verse is from Titus 3:5: “He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy.” – (CSB)

The Season of Lent is full of many theologically rich hymns which point to the high cost God paid in order to redeem sinful humanity to Himself. "Deep Were His Wounds" is not a familiar Lenten hymn, in part because it is relatively modern (20th Century), written by an unfamiliar author, and also isn't found in many Lutheran Hymnals. But it is a beautiful hymn, which simply describes the "Great Exchange" of Christ for Sinners. Join Pastors Rob Sauers and Nathanael Mayhew as they take a look at this hymn and enrich our Lenten meditations.  

This is the first of the "Pastoral letters" - written to other church leaders as an encouragement in the ministry. These letters give great advice for churches and Christians in general not just pastors. There is a mentorship taking place and being encouraged here. Paul charges Timothy and the church to teach and "keep the faith" and pass this on to the next generation. Our summary verse is from 1 Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – (NIV)

Acts covers the 30 years following the ascension of Jesus and the success of the Spirit's work through the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The Gospel is the message of Jesus and what He did to bring salvation to the world of sinners. Christ came to save all people (as we saw in Luke) and that message is taken to all people (as we now see in Acts). The Spirit works through it to build His Church. Our summary verse is from Acts 4:12: “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” – (ESV)

We resume our journey through Genesis as we review chapters 6-7 and the account of the Flood. We will review the state of the human condition, and God's response to mankind's sin. We will also discuss a number of assertions that are made about the Biblical account, dealing with whether it was a worldwide flood, the size of the ark, and whether all of the animals would have fit on such a structure. Join Pastors Nathanael Mayhew and Mark Tiefel as they continue though this important book of Genesis and both rediscover and discuss its revealed truths which continue to have a important bearing on our lives today. 

Luke points to the universality of salvation. He includes the familiar narrative of the birth of Jesus where the angels tell the shepherds that the coming of Jesus was for all. Luke alone also mentions the Good Samaritan, the lost parables, the 10 lepers, the criminal on the cross, all which point to the universality of Christ's salvation. Our summary verse is from Luke 2:10: “Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.'” –(NKJV)

This letter is later than the other three "prison" letters. The church at Philippi was established on Paul's second missionary journey where Lydia and the jailer lived. Paul was close to this congregation. Often called Paul's letter of joy. He encouraged them in that joy and urged them to live out their Christian calling. It is one of the most personal and joyful of his letters. The peace of Christ calms anxiety in world. Our prayers WILL be answered, in due time. Amen! Our summary verse is from Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” – (NASB)