New Work Fellowship Podcast

Get in the Fight with a Plan (5/5/24)

More Than Meets the Eye - "Get in the Fight with a Plan" (Matthew 4:1-11)

There is a fight. We have been equipped for the fight, but every fighter knows before the fight you have to get ready for the fight to come. The fight begins long before the fight. How did Jesus handle a spiritual attack? He combated the schemes of Satan with God's Word. Each temptation He faced was met with the words, "It is written..." How can we follow this example when under attack? Know God's Word and use it. We must all be in the Word and growing. Jesus confidently stepped into the fight. What about you?

Getting Ready for the Fight (4/28/24)

More Than Meets the Eye - "Getting Ready for the Fight" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

We've learned there is a fight. We can set ourselves up for struggle because we ignore the struggle, or we assume we are not equipped. But...we are equipped with the full armor of God. We have to be prepared and be ready for the fight!

There Is a Fight (4/21/24)

More Than Meets the Eye - "There Is a Fight" (John 8:31-47)

Jesus confronts the blind listeners in his world alerting them to the reality that not only is there a fight, but there is a source behind the fight. Jesus affirmed that 1) there is a devil, 2) the devil's end goal is death and destruction, and 3) the devil's primary weapon is lies.  Step one of winning the fight is understanding what Jesus understood - you have an enemy; there is a fight. Are you ready?

One for the Road (4/14/24)

On This Very Spot - "One for the Road" (Acts 21-23:11)

As the church explodes into the great commission - Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth - the great apostle/planter, Paul, is compelled by the spirit to come back to Jerusalem one last time. He was warned, but he was compelled. He was ready to be poured out.  This would, in fact, become the moment that launches the church to the ends of the earth. Whereas Pentecost was the spark that lit the fuse, this is the full thrust. Paul will go to Rome and the church will turn the world upside down. The church - the temple - is going on the road to the very household of Caesar himself. And to you too! Don't miss that!

One More Time (4/7/24)

On This Very Spot - "One More Time" (Acts 2)

After 40 days, you come to the day of Pentecost - the day when the Spirit of God falls in power. It is Sinai all over! (Exodus 19) But this is the coming of the Holy Spirit. God is pouring out His temple to all people; Jesus is for you; Jesus came for you; He died for you. The Holy Spirit is for you; He has come for you; He lives in you! 3,000 believed that day. What about this day? One more time God is coming to you. Will you come to Him?

This Is It! (3/31/24 - Easter)

On This Very Spot - "This Is It" (John 19:30, 19:4--42, 20:1-18)

Resurrection is the moment that everything has been building toward. Jesus is the rescuing sacrifice. He is the Passover Feast in the flesh (remember John 6:56). He is the altar of sacrifice; He is full embodiment of the glory of God - the God that could never be contained in a house. He is the untamed God who can never be put in a box. He is the greater glory. He is the salvation of all; the glory of God - and He is the only Temple! And what should be our response? Fall to His feet in worship, and then...go tell!

Wait. What Temple? (3/24/24)

On This Very Spot - "Wait. What Temple?" (John 2:13-22)

It wasn't His first visit to the temple, but it was the beginning of the end of His visits. John places the temple conflict early in his gospel to tell the reader - this is the reason for the coming conflict. Likely, it was at the end of His ministry, and it was the final straw that led to Jesus' death. It was a temple battle, and while it may have seemed that the great battles of the temple were in the past (when Babylon destroyed the city), the real battle came with the arrival of Jesus. He dares to speak of "destroying the temple." Now, we know he was talking about His body, but He was also talking about the temple. After Jesus, the presence of God is not just in that "very spot." It will soon be made available to every person who believes and puts faith in Jesus. What is your temple? Have you come to the temple?

He Is Here (3/17/24)

On This Very Spot - "He Is Here" (Luke 2:25-49)

Luke includes two early visits of Jesus at the temple. The first time, Simeon declares, "I have seen your salvation...He is the glory of [Israel]." Anna immediately erupts in praises to God. And then she talks to others about how God's rescue has come. At the end of this story - Jesus then makes another pilgrimage to Jerusalem - and this time, it is the great festival migration of Passover. Don't miss the foreshadowing of Joseph and Mary's searching for a missing Jesus - 3 days later they find him. There, in the temple, Jesus is the focus and in the middle of all the instruction. He is asking questions, but He is also answering questions.

Temple 2.0 (3/10/24)

On This Very Spot - "Temple 2.0" (Ezra 3, Haggai, Zechariah)

God doesn't give up. In the face of the rebuilt temple - those who remembered the splendor of what was before, wept. It didn't compare. They were undone. But where the people saw decline and despair - God was at work. Haggai 2:9. It's pointing to Jesus.

God Has Left the Building (3/3/24)

On This Very Spot - "God Has Left the Building" (Ezekiel 10:15-22)

There came a time when the people began to believe that the temple was their security blanket. They had "god" locked in and locked down. The God of the universe could never be defeated, and this was His Temple - therefore, he would never leave. This led to false security. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were rejected, in part because they foretold the fall of the temple and the departure of God's presence. God is not tied to a place or a people. Do not presume upon God.