Living By The Word Podcast

Living by The Word - A Church Fight That Went Right - 11/17/24

A Church Fight That Went Right
Episode Title: A Church Fight That Went RightScripture Reference: Acts 15:1-35
Introduction
The episode focuses on Acts 15, exploring a pivotal moment in the early church—the Jerusalem Council.
Background Context
Journey through Acts: From Pentecost to the missionary journeys, highlighting how Acts 1:8 unfolds through witness, empowerment by the Holy Spirit, and outreach to distant regions.
Challenges in the Early Church: The Jew-Gentile divide posed risks of doctrinal corruption and sectarianism, threatening gospel unity and purity.
Key Crisis in Acts 15
Issue of Circumcision: Certain Jewish teachers insisted Gentiles must be circumcised to attain salvation, suggesting adherence to Jewish law was a prerequisite for Christianity.
Theological Implications: This debate was about the essence of salvation—law versus grace—and struck at the core of gospel doctrine.
Framework for Addressing Controversy
The Nature of the Controversy:
Defined by doctrinal purity and unity.
Paul’s emphasis in Galatians underscores the exclusivity of salvation through grace alone, not adherence to the Mosaic law.
The Response to the Controversy:
Delegation to Jerusalem: Paul, Barnabas, and others traveled to Jerusalem to seek counsel from the apostles and elders.
Debate and Discernment:
Peter’s testimony: Highlighted God’s work among Gentiles, reaffirming salvation by grace through faith.
Barnabas and Paul’s report: Confirmed Gentile conversions through God’s miraculous works.
James’ argument: Grounded in Old Testament prophecy, affirming the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s covenant.
The Result of the Controversy:
Decision: Gentiles were not required to adopt Jewish rites like circumcision. However, a few practical guidelines were suggested to maintain harmony with Jewish believers.
Dispatch and Delivery: A letter was sent to Gentile churches, emphasizing gospel freedom and unity.
Applications and Reflections
Theological Triage:
Distinguishing between primary, secondary, and tertiary doctrines to avoid unnecessary divisions.
Ensuring core gospel truths remain uncompromised.
Grace in Practice:
While the gospel liberates, it calls for sensitivity and deference to others for the sake of unity.
Gospel Unity:
The council modeled how to resolve disputes with humility and clarity, preserving church unity and doctrinal purity.
Historical and Modern Implications
Lessons from Acts 15 resonate through later church councils (e.g., Nicaea, Chalcedon) and modern disputes.
Unity amidst diversity reflects the eternal reality of worship with believers from every nation and culture.
Closing Thoughts
The Jerusalem Council stands as an example of a “church fight that went right.” It shows how God’s providence uses conflict to strengthen His church.
Encouragement to stand firm on gospel essentials while extending grace in non-essentials.
Final Quote:"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, love."

Living by The Word: The Gospel on the Move 10/27/24

"The Gospel on the Move" (Acts 13:13-52)
This message discusses the expansion of the gospel through the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas as detailed in Acts 13. Here, the gospel transcends cultural boundaries, emphasizing the role of intentionality, resilience, and the power of the message.
Key Points
The Missionary Plan
Teamwork: Paul and Barnabas, with John Mark and other companions, worked as a team, reflecting the importance of collective effort in missions.
Targeted Approach: Their missionary journey was purposeful; they headed to Pisidian Antioch, a key strategic city in Asia Minor for gospel outreach.
Strategic Method: Paul and Barnabas began in synagogues, where their audience had a foundational understanding of the Old Testament, facilitating their message’s reception.
Clear Goal: The mission’s purpose was clear—to preach the good news of forgiveness and salvation in Jesus.
The Missionary Message
Historical Foundation: Paul recounted Israel's history, emphasizing God’s promises, especially the promise of a Messiah from David’s lineage.
Fulfillment in Christ: Paul highlighted how Jesus fulfilled prophecies, including John the Baptist’s ministry, Jesus’ crucifixion, and especially His resurrection as proof of His messianic role.
Call and Warning: Paul presented the gospel as an offer of salvation through faith in Christ, with a warning to accept or face judgment, referencing Habakkuk 1:5.
A Backbone for Missions
Bold Proclamation: Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, even amidst opposition.
Scriptural Conviction: Paul relied on scripture, using passages like Isaiah 42 and 49 to affirm his mission to Gentiles.
Trust in God’s Will: They acknowledged that salvation is ultimately God’s work, referring to “those appointed to eternal life.”
Perseverance in Suffering: Despite rejection, expulsion, and John Mark’s desertion, they continued joyfully, undeterred in their mission.
Scripture References
Acts 1:8 - Jesus' charge to spread the gospel.
Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 55:3; Acts 16:10 - Used by Paul to demonstrate fulfillment of messianic promises.
Galatians 3:11 - The righteous live by faith, not the law.
Luke 9:5, 10:11 - Shaking the dust off as a sign of rejection.
Philippians 4:3; Luke 10:20 - Assurance in the “book of life.”
Practical Application
Missions Require a Message: True missions involve communicating the gospel, not merely charitable actions.
Scripture Offers Eternal Life: The word of God is central to the message of salvation.
Truth’s Dual Nature: The gospel unites believers but also creates division when rejected.
This message underscores the essence of missions: a clear plan, an unwavering message of salvation, and the courage to persist amidst opposition, reflecting both the joy and challenges inherent in gospel ministry.

Living by The Word: A Tale of Three Cities ACTS 14 11/3/24

"A Tale of Three Cities" (Acts 14)
 
This message explores the ministry of Paul and Barnabas during their first missionary journey, focusing on their experiences in the cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, as described in Acts 14. It outlines the missionary journey’s progression, challenges, and successes, illustrating how the gospel often divided audiences, brought opposition, but also led to conversions.
Key Points
Gospel Gains Come at a Cost: Advancing the gospel requires resilience and often comes with persecution.
Pattern of Evangelism: The approach is systematic—sharing the gospel, receiving varied responses, and sometimes seeing signs affirming the message.
Importance of Discipleship: New believers were strengthened and organized within local churches, emphasizing spiritual growth and community.
Expect Suffering: Paul’s ministry involved hardships, such as physical harm and hostility, which reflects the cost of commitment to the mission.
Perseverance is Key: Paul and Barnabas revisited hostile regions, displaying courage and dedication to spreading the gospel.
Scripture References
Acts 14: Narrative of Paul and Barnabas’ journey in the cities.
Acts 4:29, 4:31, 9:28

Living by The Word: Responses to the Word

Living by The Word: Opposition & Obedience ACTS 5:12-42

Living by The Word - Mother's Day 2024

THE WORTH OF A MOTHER Prov. 31:10-30
READ TEXT: Prov. 31:1, 10-31
 
A MOTHER’S WORTH
Seen in her relationship to God- v. 30. She is a woman who
fears the Lord.
 
 
Secondly her worth is…Seen in her relationship to her husband- vv. 11-12, 23
11-
 
Seen in her relationship to her children- vv. 14-15, 21, 26
14-15.
 
Seen in relationship to herself- vv. 17, 25, 30a
 
LESSONS FOR US ALL:
 
1) In this picture of a virtuous woman, wife and mother we can also see a
picture of Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of all these qualities.
You cannot read Proverbs and miss that in Christ are hidden all the
riches of wisdom and knowledge.
Human mothers will fail and falter. But Christ is the perfect picture of one
who cares for his church, nourishes his church, works and sacrifices for
his church, extends his hand to the needy sinner.
Don’t miss the portrait of Jesus here! He is the embodiment of all that is
described in perfection. Do you know him my friend???
 
2) We must do all we can in the church to support moms and help them.
This is a community project. Raising children is hard – especially with
all the ungodly influences there are out there. That is why we all
participate in serving at VBS. When we minister to children, we are
also minister to moms. That is why our children’s ministry and nursery
need to be the best they can be. That is why we have a preschool
ministry. That is why we support pro-life legislation and prolife
ministries such as BirthChoice. The church must rally around the
centrality of motherhood.
_____________________________________________
OTHER NOTES TO CONSIDER:
In this passage in Proverbs, God presents us with His description and estimation of what a godly wife and mother looks like. In
this passage we are given a glimpse of a woman who is a wife and mother, and one who diligently cares for her household, the extended
family unit including servants, business associates, and those she helps in the society in which she lives. This woman, whom God praises
and defines as “excellent” (NASB) or “of noble character” (NIV) or “virtuous” (KJV), and whose value is far above jewels, is shown to
possess at least five characteristics or qualities. But before we look at these five qualities, let’s consider the word translated “excellent” in
the NASB.
The word “excellent” (vs. 10) is the Hebrew word chayil which means “strength, efficiency.” To illustrate something of the
nature and power of this word, it is helpful to note how it used and translated in other passages of Scripture. It is translated in the
NASB by “able” (5 times), “strength” (10 times), “army” (82 times), “valiant” (over 40 times), and “capable” (3 times). In the context
of Proverbs 31, it refers to moral strength, but also to domestic ability and efficiency.
The five qualities are:
She is a devoted wife (vss. 11, 12, 23). She is one who has the confidence of her husband, who seeks his welfare, and
enhances his reputation.
She is a diligent partner (vss. 13-17, 18b, 19, 22, 24). As a woman with God’s viewpoint, she is a willing worker, a wise
shopper and planner who is able to minister to her family because she keeps herself fit spiritually and physically (cf. vs. 18a,
25).
She is a dutiful servant to the needy and the poor (vs. 20). She has a vision for ministry not only to her family but to her
society.
She is a dependable mother (vss. 15, 21, 27). She is devoted to the needs of her family. She is well groomed, attractive,
organized, and disciplined and as such, is a testimony to her children.
She is a doctrinally oriented woman (vs. 26, 18). She is a woman full of God’s wisdom.
Well, after this description, you are probably saying, “I give up! This doesn’t describe a woman, it describes superwoman”! Not
exactly, though you are close. It describes a woman who is living in a supernatural way with a supernatural God.
As we look at this passage we can see that being a wife and mother is a tremendously challenging task in any age. But in our
day it is even more challenging because of the distorted values and inroads of secular humanism and the moral breakdown in our
society. And it is especially difficult for single moms without the help of a husband, and many times without the help of a caring
church.
But may I inject here an important statement. Nothing, absolutely nothing is more important to a society than godly
motherhood. The family is the foundation of society, and while fathers are responsible for the way the family goes, mothers are the
glue that holds the family together.
Since this is so true and mothers are so important to our society and to each of us in our own families, I’d like us to consider
some of the problems that moms and families face as a means of protecting motherhood and increasing our thoughtfulness for mom.

Living by The Word - Sunday, March 3, 2024

Welcome to "Living by The Word," the sermon podcast by Pastor Glen Schaumloeffel of Cornerstone Church in Hemet, CA. Join us as we explore the timeless truths and practical wisdom found within the pages of Scripture. Each episode is a journey of faith, offering insights, encouragement, and guidance for living out God's Word in our everyday lives. Whether you're a longtime believer or just beginning to explore the Christian faith, Pastor Glen's engaging sermons provide a source of inspiration and spiritual nourishment. Tune in and let the Word of God transform your heart and renew your mind.

Living by The Word - Sunday, February 25, 2024

Welcome to "Living by The Word," the sermon podcast by Pastor Glen Schaumloeffel of Cornerstone Church in Hemet, CA. Join us as we explore the timeless truths and practical wisdom found within the pages of Scripture. Each episode is a journey of faith, offering insights, encouragement, and guidance for living out God's Word in our everyday lives. Whether you're a longtime believer or just beginning to explore the Christian faith, Pastor Glen's engaging sermons provide a source of inspiration and spiritual nourishment. Tune in and let the Word of God transform your heart and renew your mind.

Living by The Word - Sunday, February 18, 2024

Welcome to "Living by The Word," the sermon podcast by Pastor Glen Schaumloeffel of Cornerstone Church in Hemet, CA. Join us as we explore the timeless truths and practical wisdom found within the pages of Scripture. Each episode is a journey of faith, offering insights, encouragement, and guidance for living out God's Word in our everyday lives. Whether you're a longtime believer or just beginning to explore the Christian faith, Pastor Glen's engaging sermons provide a source of inspiration and spiritual nourishment. Tune in and let the Word of God transform your heart and renew your mind.

Living by The Word - Sunday, February 11, 2024

Welcome to "Living by The Word," the sermon podcast by Pastor Glen Schaumloeffel of Cornerstone Church in Hemet, CA. Join us as we explore the timeless truths and practical wisdom found within the pages of Scripture. Each episode is a journey of faith, offering insights, encouragement, and guidance for living out God's Word in our everyday lives. Whether you're a longtime believer or just beginning to explore the Christian faith, Pastor Glen's engaging sermons provide a source of inspiration and spiritual nourishment. Tune in and let the Word of God transform your heart and renew your mind.