People's Church Arnold Podcast

Life with God is not about ownership it's about stewardship. Followers of Jesus live with the awareness that nothing they have truly belongs to them. Scripture Text: Luke 16:1-13 NLT

The Christian life is not easy. There are challenges in every season. But learning how to walk faithfully through each season is what it means to be a follower of Christ. Scripture Text: Various

This year God is calling us to something foundational.Not just setting goals—but creating identity. Not just intentions—but building habits. Not just where we’re going—but who we are.Hebrews 6 reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about starting strong—it’s about continuing forward. And it shows us three truths about who we are called to be as the body of Christ.We are called to grow.We are called to love.We are called to hope. Scripture Text: Hebrews 6:1-15; 19-20 NLT 

The Christmas story reminds us how much God loves us and wants to be in a relationship with everyone. No matter what we are going through He is always trying to get our attention and speak to us. The invitation to know Jesus is available to everyone. Scripture Text: Various 

Gratitude has the power to transform our attitude and outlook on life. Gratitude changes the way you think, act, and even look. It can even put a smile on your face. Gratitude gives a person a sense of purpose. Scripture Text: Jeremiah 29:10-14

How can welive in the rest of God in this busy world? God has planned a rest for us. This rest is for today and in the future. The invitation Christ gives includes rest for our souls, minds, and bodies. Scripture Text: Hebrews 4:1-13 NLT

How can we live victoriously when we feel exhausted, weak, and defeated?Every Christian should know that they are in a battle, but that God has given them the tools to march forward, knowing they have the authority and power to withstand the enemy. Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT 

Sixty-two chapters are dedicated to David’s life in the scriptures—more than any other person; also, there are 59 references to David in the New Testament. Undoubtedly, David is one of the most important people in the Bible. David is there for his life, his courage, his faithfulness, and his humility, but he is also here for his failure and his sinfulness. Most of all, he is there for the confrontation with God’s Word and his acknowledgement and finally his restoration. He is there so we can learn from what he did right and what he did wrong.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-5

The difference between Saul and David was like night and day. David loved God and followed him. Saul was disobedient to God and despised David because he enjoyed God’s blessings. David was a different king—different from Saul and different from any other king. However, the temptation that came with being king was too much for even David.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 11:14-27

The general view of the world is that it is getting better. The bad could be improved with better education and the mitigation of poverty. However, the Bible does not see it that way. The Bible sees humanity with a depraved a nature. The Bible has a realistic view of human nature not a fantastic view. Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 11:6-13

When we come to David’s enormous failure we are taken back. This is David, God’s king. How could this have happened to him? This failure has been written about and talked about more than any other  failure in the Bible. Scripture does not try to hide the unsavory parts of biblical characters. It paints them warts and all. We can all thank God that our lives are not being written for the world to see.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 11:1-5

We experience God's kindness every day. Every breath we take and each beat of our heart is a gift from God. The question is, do we accept or reject God’s kindness?David distinguished himself as a king who showed the kindness of God. However, on one occasion the kindness of the king was despised, and those who despised it suffered the consequences. Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 10:1-19

God is preparing a place for those who believe, to spend eternity with Him. God's presence will be the greatest thing in the city. Seeking the presence of God should be our greatest desire here on earth and the focus of everything we do. We are to be a people longing for our eternal home.Scripture Text: Revelation 21:1-10

John tells the resurrection story through the eyes of several people.First Mary Magdalene, then through the eyes of the disciples, including Thomas, but also one story where seven disciples went fishing. Scripture Text: John 20:1-14

What was it that made Jesus so different? What was it that made people follow him? What makes his story so special?  There are several reasons: First, he was the son of God. He really did come to rescue us from our sins. He really did have a humility about him that made him so attractive.Scripture Text: Mark 11:1-10

The kingdom of God depends on the wisdom, faithfulness, and justice of Jesus Christ, not the qualities in Christian believers. We work hard to make Christ known, but we always falls short. Our abilities are always less than adequate. However, the kingdom of God and the integrity of Christianity depends on him, not on us. Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 3:22-39 

In the book of Acts we see that the fuel empowering the Church to complete Jesus' core mission is a gift from God that is available to everyone.Various Scriptures

God gives us unconventional victory when we fall to our knees and are obedient to His unconventional direction.Scripture Text: Joshua 5:13 - Joshua 6:20

The great question for the people of Israel was who their king was. For some, their king was Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, but for others, David was their king. God had chosen David to be king of Israel, so some of these people did not serve God’s king. It is a question to ask ourselves, “Who is our king?” “Do we serve God’s King,” or do we serve some other king?” Many kings declare themselves to be our king—but there is one true king, and his name is Jesus! Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 3:1-21

Our strategies and plans, our negotiations and proposals are no more able to bring peace and harmony, justice and righteousness than the efforts of Abner and Joab. How pathetic are our efforts to advance God's kingdom!We are grateful for any government movement that moves us away from sinful corrupt practices and moves us toward a honest and righteous state. We do not however, put our hope and trust in any government because they are limited. Only God can bring lasting peace.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 2:12-32  

The story of David, his early life, and his life as a fugitive and then as a king is one of the most engaging stories found in literature. It is not fiction but a real story of action, conflict, bravery, exemplary conduct, and personal failure and recovery. However, our interest is not just in the historical significance of the persons and events but much more. We don’t study the Old Testament just because we are simply interested in history, but what lessons can we learn to help us in our lives.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 2:1-11 

In our study of 2 Samuel, we come to the subject of death and grief. Death terrifies us and leaves us confused; often, it brings guilt, shame, anger, loneliness, and despair. Even when we are expecting death to come—it is still hard, and we feel the same emotions. Death is no respecter of a person. It makes no difference in wealth or poverty, famous or unknown, race or culture—all are affected. If not for the Gospel of Christ, death would leave us all helpless and hopeless.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 1:17-27 

God rules over his creation. Though we do not see complete evidence that God rules over all aspects of creation on this earth because evil is very present. That is because the kingdom of God has not come to final fruition. Until that happens every man woman and child needs to remember that we all will ultimately give account for our actions before the Judge of all the earth.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 1:11-16

In this passage we will look at a man who designed a scheme to enrich himself. He went to great trouble to fool many people, especially David, and he almost got away with the scam.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 1:2-10 

No one likes waiting. Waiting is uncomfortable. We feel we are wasting time that could be spent in a more profitable way. Waiting, however, is part of life. We wait our turn at the checkout, at the doctor’s office, and in traffic, but most importantly, we wait on God. David had been chosen king but wasn’t prepared, so God had him go through a period of waiting that lasted 13 years.Scripture Text: 2 Samuel 1:1

In the Christmas story there are many different aspects, and characters.Today we will look at the forgotten people. Who are the forgotten people of our world? The people who are behind the scenes who make the everyday essential things happen. So many of these people are nameless and even forgotten but they are important.Scripture Text: Luke 2:8-20 

Mary with an unspeakable joy sang the first song of the Incarnation. Critics have alleged because of the greatness that this song could not have been sung by the young Mary. It is too theologi­cal, too poetic, too beautiful, but they underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to empower a willing vessel. Mary’s song, is like a beautiful woven tapestry of Scripture. Scripture Text: Luke 1:46-56

The announcement of the arrival of John the Baptist who would be the forerunner of Jesus is an important part of the Christmas story.Zachariah and Elizabeth were godly people who feared God, but there was one primary source of disappointment in their lives. Elizabeth had never been able to bear children, and in her culture that was considered a disgrace. However, they never stopped believing and serving God.Scripture Text: Luke 1:5-25 

When we think of the disciples we think of very special people, but they were men with many faults. In this passage we see that very clearly. We are seeing pride rear its ugly head. Unfortunately, it raises its head in all of us at some time. Scripture Text: Matthew 18:1-14

Grace—God’s grace is one of the most beautiful words in any language. In Luke chapter 7 we meet an unnamed woman. She had an understanding of grace that few people have. Living in a day were grace rarely showed its face; having been transformed by grace she captured the meaning of grace. Scripture Text: Luke 7:36-50

Living right begins with right thinking. Thinking on this earth is horizontal or human thinking—we need vertical thinking which is God thinking. We need help to think like God.Scripture Text: Matthew 16:21-28

Moses went to meet with God at a place called the tent of meeting where he could talk things over with God. As Moses went out, the Israelites stood by their own tents and watched to see what would happen. They eagerly watched as the glory of God come down in a pillar of cloud. As soon as they saw that, they knew their mediator was meeting with God. Even after the debacle of the golden calf God still allowed the Israelites to go to the Promised Land. The bad news was that God was not going with them.Scripture Text: Exodus 33:12-23 

As you think back, there are probably some good friends over the years with whom you have had some memorable shared experiences. God places special people in your life during different stages. It was that way with Paul because Tychicus was a good friend put in Paul’s life at just the right time. It is remarkable the bond that grows between friends as you are sharing the gospel on the front lines.Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:21-24 

Paul has prescribed the essential spiritual armor and weapons to fight this spiritual battle. Every New Testament writer talks about the spiritual warfare. We do well to heed their warning and prepare ourselves in the manner Paul instructs us.Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:18-20 

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:17

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:15-16

Spiritual battles are being fought all over this earth.  The Apostle Paul introduces us to his perspective on spiritual warfare.Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:13-14 

Today in our world most people believe the Devil is an imaginary character. There is no widespread belief in a supernatural powerful being that is against all that is good. Shockingly, many Christians are influenced by this kind of thinking even though they say they believe in the Devil they do not live out their lives with that belief. Paul's biblical worldview is that we are in the middle of a spiritual warfare with evil in which there is a fierce battle raging. Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:10-12

The biblical view of work is very positive. Work is where we earn a living and express our skills and talents. We take satisfaction from having done a good job. We do our work as unto the Lord. We may work for a company, but as Christians, we know our work ethic is to God. He gave us the job and the ability to do it, so we do our very best. In doing our best, the company benefits. The skill and ability are a gift from the Lord!Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:5-9 

Despite what our world tells us today having children is a blessing that will bring wonderful dividends.Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:1-4

Paul talks to us about our time. He exhorts us to be good stewards of our time and see that we spend it wisely not foolishly wasting it away.Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:15-21 

Because we are light, we have a huge responsibility in the world. How are we who have been transferred from darkness to light to live? Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:8-14 

Christianity has by far the most exalted sexual ethics of any religion. The New Testament charges us to pursue purity. How were the Ephesians supposed to navigate in such a sinful city that had complete acceptance of sexual perversion? Today the same thing exist and there is animosity toward anyone who does not agree. They were supposed to follow Jesus’ example just as we are.Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:1-7 

Often times we think the work of the Spirit is to empower us to exercise one of the nine gifts that Paul mentions so that we will be a witness for Christ. We would not be wrong to think this is all. However, the work of the Spirit is much more. It is involved in the sanctification process or our maturity and growth as a Christian. The greatest work of the Spirit is to produce the fruits in our lives. Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:25-32 

The Apostle Paul talks to the Ephesians about their clothes, but not the ones on their bodies, but the ones on their souls. In this passage Paul tells us what we need to put off and what to put on. It is the wardrobe of the redeemed. Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:17-24

In a day when the church grows from anything to featuring celebrities to sports personalities to jumping on the latest trend, whether biblical or not, church growth can mean many different things. Paul however, in his letter to the Ephesians gives the church the principles for spiritual growth. He explains how God grows a church through living out the gospel in unity.  Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:7-16

When the Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians he was in a Roman prison. He does not call himself a prisoner of Rome or Caesar but of the Lord. Even though he is in prison, he attributes his present circumstances to the Lord. Remarkably, his attitude reflects his understanding of God’s sovereignty and power.Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1-6 

The letter to the Ephesians is an explanation of what the Gospel is and, if believed, what it does in our lives. How it changes us in every way. This epistle also describes the church's role on this earth and our commitment to it. Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:14-21 

To us today the word mystery conjures up the idea of something unsolved. That is what we think of in regards to a mystery, but, in New Testament Greek the work musrerion means something which is beyond natural knowledge, but has been opened to us by divine revelation. Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:1-13

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:19-22