Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 046 - Adding Substance to Hope

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum finishes Hebrews.  We discuss priesthood and faith, exploring what is meant by the substance of things hoped for.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-046-adding-substance-to-hope


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 45 - A High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Hebrews 1-6.  We look at what a High Priest is, and why Jesus was the ultimate example of Priesthood.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-45-a-high-priest-after-the-order-of-melchizedek


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 44 - The Most Controversial of Paul's Teachings

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.  We look at the spirit of "fear," the roots of evils and perilous times, and the most controversial of Paul's teachings.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-44-the-most-controversial-of-pauls-teachings


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 43 - αποστασία

This week, Come Follow Me brings us to 1 and 2 Thessalonians.  We look at several proverbs of Paul, and discuss the falling away prophesied by the apostle.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-43


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 042 - Perspective, Phobia, and Beauty

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Philippians and Colossians.  We look at Paul's perspective while in bondage, how to work with fear, and what true beauty is.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-042-prespective-phobia-and-beauty

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 41 - Why the Bible Tells Wives to Submit to their Husbands

This week in Come Follow Me, we wrap up Ephesians.  We discuss coming to a unity of the faith, why Paul told wives to submit to their husbands, and the armor of God.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-41-why-the-bible-tells-wives-to-submit-to-their-husbands

Youtube:

A Unity of the Faith

Unity is a major theme in Paul's epistles to the Ephesians... from describing how Christ abolishes the enmity between Jews and Gentiles, to this passage in chapter 4:

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men... And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4:4-8,11-14)

The idea of a single Christian faith was the goal of Catholic church...  The very term comes from Greek καθολικός (katholikos), meaning "universal."

 Unfortunately, at the time when the church gathered its leaders from all around the Mediterranean in Nicaea in AD 325, the apostles were gone... the highest authorities that remained were local bishops of various congregations, lacking not only the office that Jesus designated to lead his church, but also the authority that extended to all places to which they traveled... general authority.

As time progressed, the leadership of these men led to schisms and protests over centuries rather than the "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" that the apostle Paul taught.

Today, there are thousands of churches that profess belief in Jesus Christ.  There are numerous modes of baptism.  Various Christian faiths still debate over the most fundamental requirements of salvation.  While some claim that the thousands of versions of faith, and of Christ himself, are all facets of a single church, if this were the case, it would be the greatest manifestation of the "house divided against itself" that was described by Jesus. 

Claiming that Christianity is united in a single church is like finding a shattered mirror at a store that has been partly pieced together with scotch tape and labeled "definitely not broken." Even those with the best of intentions have found themselves "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" clutching only shattered pieces of the whole that Christ established with his apostles and prophets.

Is there a solution to unify Christianity?  What would it take to achieve actual ecumenicism?

The apostle Paul explains how the Lord intended to accomplish this feat:

"...he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers... till we all come in the unity of the faith..."

Some people might misunderstand the passage to mean that he gave to some people apostles, and to other people prophets, and to others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers... and so long as you have one of these, you're good.  This is incorrect.

The word "some" is in the accusative case... meaning it is the direct object.  In other words, it could be translated "he gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists..."  He made available men with these offices, to accomplish that Paul described after.

As important as this understanding is... perhaps the most important understanding is the pronoun he... the one doing the giving... The he is the Lord himself... and as always... he is the solution.

THE LORD calls apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists.  His Kingdom is not one of confusion, it is one of order.  He spent great length prescribing the construction of Noah's ark, of the Tabernacle of Moses, of the Ark of the Covenant, and of Nephite and Jaredite vessels.  He detailed precise directions for the children of Israel in the wilderness, and for Joshua's men to march around Jericho, and for Brigham Young to lead the pioneers in the west.  He patiently repeated his messages to Jonah regarding Nineveh, to Jerusalem regarding Babylon, and to Joseph Smith regarding the retrieval of the plates.  He deliberately and carefully divided even his labors in forging the world on which we now stand.  To suggest that any old schmo could just say "yeah, I'm going to be a pastor now," is contrary to the way he has directed his work for thousands of years.

Fortunately, there are apostles and prophets, called by the Lord, that preside over his church today.  Heeding their counsel will, as Paul suggested, lead to the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ.  Following their teachings will aid all in coming to a unity of faith, a knowledge of the Son of God, and offer protection from those who would, by cunning craftiness, lie in wait to deceive.

What was inaccessible to the ancient bishops who assembled in Nicaea in AD 325, is now available to you freely.  Do not neglect the privilege of your access to the apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists that he has called to help you find the one true Lord, the one true faith, and the one true baptism that will lead you on His strait and narrow covenant path.

Ward Preacher Podcast ep 40 - What is the point of freewill if there is predestination?

This week the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Ephesians.  We look at predestination, the fullness of times, and becoming a fellowcitizen with the saints.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-40-what-is-the-point-of-freewill-if-there-is-predestination


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 39 - Our bodies were made for our spirits, not the other way around

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Galatians.  If we are supposed to receive truth from the Spirit, then why have prophets?  How can the law come because of transgression... wouldn't there have to be a law first?  How should our spirit and body interact?  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-39-our-bodies-were-made-for-our-spirits-not-the-other-way-around

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 38 - What exactly is a false apostle?

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 2 Corinthians 8-13.  We focus on what it means to be a cheerful giver, and on Paul's warnings about false apostles.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-ep-038

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 37 - God Wants You Back

The Come Follow Me curriculum for this week brings us to 2 Corinthians 1-7.  We discuss forgiving others, feeling godly sorrow, and being reconciled to God.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-37-god-wants-you-back

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 36 - Life After Death

This week in the Come Follow Me Curriculum, we finish off 1 Corinthians, looking at the gift of prophesy, the reality of resurrection, work for the dead, and degrees of glory.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-36-life-after-death

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 35 - Let's covet some nice gifts!

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 1 Cor 8-13.  We focus on the various roles and gifts people have, and that we should covet the best spiritual gifts.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-35-lets-covet-some-nice-gifts


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 34 - Paul said what about marriage?!

This week the Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 1 Corinthians 1-7.  Paul teaches some important truths about contention, about the divine nature of our bodies... and then gives some surprising counsel about marriage.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-34-paul-said-what-about-marriage


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 33 - Joint-Heirs with Christ

This week, Come Follow Me wraps up the book of Romans.  Paul talks about elections and foreknowledge, leading to the question "is free will real?"  Also, what is meant by being Joint-Heirs with Christ.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-33-joint-heirs-with-christ

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 32 - Is grace truly a "free gift?"

The Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Romans 1-6.  We dive into Paul's counsel about human nature, being servants of sin or righteousness, and what is meant by grace being a "free gift."  Study with me!

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-32-is-grace-truly-a-free-gift

Youtube:

An Appeal to the Highest Authority

The Apostle Paul knew exactly what would happen if he gave in to the request of Festus, to be tried in Jerusalem.  The chief priests had asked Festus to bring Paul from Caesarea so that they could kill him.  He had been locked away for two years with no conviction because of the corruption of local leaders, but in spite of the peril he faced, he still had one recourse:

Every Roman citizen could, when a local governor or authority seemed unjust, appeal their case to the highest authority in the Roman government... to Caesar himself.

Standing before Festus, Paul used his last maneuver:

"Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.  For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them.  I appeal unto Caesar." (Acts 25:10-11)

As corrupt as the local governors were, they still had to honor this fundamental Roman right.  There was only one possible reply that Festus could give, and he gave it:

"Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go."

Of course, the logistics of having one high authority hear every case make this a difficult right to honor.  Caesar might not have had any time for any other matters of state had he needed to immediately honor every appeal.  The obvious solution is to have the accused wait until such time that Caesar could hear there case... time which Paul used to communicate with the church and preach Jesus as he was able.

Similar systems of appeal have been employed by other organizations and governments.  A notable example is the Supreme Court of the United States.  Each year, thousands of applications are made for Writ of Certiorari, which allows the case to be heard before the Supreme Court.  Only small number of these applications are granted.  Between the years 2014-2017, the year with the highest percentage of granted applications was 2015, with only 4.2% of applications submitted being granted. (https://supremecourtpress.com/chance_of_success.html)

The logistics of hearing numerous cases may be daunting, but compounding the difficulty, the final judgment may not be just.  In the United States, cases such as Dred Scott v Sanford, which ruled against an escaped slave, demonstrate the potential for bad decisions by the Supreme Court.

Though we do not know the result of Paul's case from the New Testament, there are traditions that suggest Paul was beheaded by Nero.  Whether or not this is true, most sources seem to agree that Paul never left Rome.

While a system of appeals may be able to mitigate problems with unfair treatment, and encourage justice, the costs of such a system are significant, and it is clear that a system run by corruptible people can be corrupted.

Perhaps this is the reason that human beings have been given one last recourse... an appeal to the Highest Authority.

This is not just an application for Writ of Certiorari.  It is not a queue into which a person enters and waits for years to be heard.  It does not require a lengthy journey or a complex scheduling algorithm.  It does not even require a specific type of case; the appeal can be used for any reason.

Does this appeal seem too good to be true?  It should.

Right now, at this very minute, whether you are bearing a difficult burden or just need a little comfort... whether you have endured awful abuse, or you're just not getting along with someone... whether you need answers to serious questions about life, love, and purpose, or you have misplaced your keys... You can appeal immediately to the Highest Authority!

The name of this appeal is prayer.

While, on the surface, this may seem to be a simple thing, consider how ludicrous it would be to file a Writ of Certiorari because of an argument about what to have for dinner.  You might not want to stand before a King or Emperor asking for help remembering where you put your phone down, or to do well on an exam.  You probably don't expect Oprah and Dr. Phil to personally come and help you sort out your relationship issues.

Yet the Eternal God who knows all and forged the plan that put billions and billions of people into mortality sends all his prophets and apostles to remind you to come to him with all of these things because he is eager to hear and help you!

The volume of requests cannot exceed his capacity to hear and answer... the triviality of your worries will not exclude you from approaching his throne... he will not weary of hearing genuine the genuine pleas of his beloved children... and in spite of how insignificant we are in comparison to him, he invites you to call him Father.

Only a fool would neglect such a ridiculously generous gift.  Don't be a fool... however long it has been since you have appealed to the Highest Authority, do it again.  Call upon God in prayer.  Even if you have made mistakes... even if they have been serious mistakes... all you need is a sincere heart and faith that he can hear and answer.  Mercy and love abounds among all those who kneel before him and call upon his name.

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 31 - When not to turn the other cheek

This week in the Come Follow Me curriculum, we wrap up the book of Acts.  Paul doesn't turn the other cheek, but defends himself, and witnesses of Jesus in all circumstances.  Study with me!

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-31-when-not-to-turn-the-other-cheek

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 30 - You are more than your circumstances

This week's Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Acts 16-21.  Paul triumphs over circumstance by not letting prison get him down, and finding teaching opportunities everywhere.  Study with me!

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-30-you-are-more-than-your-circumstances

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 028 - A Dramatic Turnaround

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum takes us through the ministry of Stephen and the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-028-a-dramatic-turnaround

Youtube: