The Eagle and Dove Podcast

Luke's gospel places emphasis on the outcast of society. It is only in Luke's gospel that we find the parable of Lazarus begging at the gate of the rich man, the widow giving the small change, Mary and Joseph offering the pair of doves and two pigeons when they present the infant Jesus in the temple, an offering subscribed for the poor, and the shepherd at the birth narrative, a group of people at the bottom of the socio-economic tier of society. That Mathew's gospel presents Magi (Gentile foreigners, possibly of means) while Luke presents shepherds demonstrates that Christ is for all people. The birth narrative presents access for all people into the Kingdom of God, granting opportunity for all people to share in the hope and peace of God's Kingdom. As followers of Christ, we are called to be a channel that presents hope, grace, and peace. In this video, I offer a window into my own story, one defined by a health crisis that endured for twenty-three years. During this season of my life, my hope was being siphoned and my peace was dwindling away. God became my only source of hope. My relationships suffered and I had little support. Thus, I have learned the importance of being a channel for exhibiting hope, grace, and peace. No man is an island. Let us extend hope, grace, and peace. 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Colossians 1:27; Titus 1:1-2; Hebrews 6:18-19; Romans 5:2-5. All Scripture cited is from the New International Version of the Bible #biblestudy #christmas #faith #sermon #hope #chronicfatiguesyndrome #peace

Satan Could not Stop the First Christmas I. Magi came to Worship Jesus  A. Sincere  B. Discerning C. Humble II. Herod wanted to Murder Jesus A. Idumean B. Executed his first wife C. Executed his first wife's mother and grandfather D. Executed his Three Sons III. Jesus Remains Controversial IV Embrace the Controversy A. Accept that Jesus is Controversial B. Don't be Intiidated C. Be Discerning D. Christian Love is not Accepting Society's Slide into the Sewer F. Don't Capitulate G. Christian Love is Truthtelling

I. God initiated redemption. A. God sent the angel to Mary - Reminds me of the Garden of Eden narrative. In the Garden narrative, God came into the Garden and confronted Adam and Eve and initiated reconciliation. B. Holy Spirit will overshadow Mary - reminiscent of Exodus 40:34 when the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Greek word for 'overshadow' is the same word used in Luke 9:34 for the cloud that enveloped them on Mt of transfiguration and in Acts 5:15 for Peter's shadow falling on people and them experiencing healing. C. Will give birth to a son i. Mary is the vehicle of Divine favor - Greek is Charis - meaning grace. This favor is not earned but graciously bestowed and Divinely initiated. ii. This is a Triune Cooperation iii. God cared about the human predicament and the human sphere iv. Expression of Divine tender compassion v. Expression of tangible and evidential love vi. Expresses that God is welcoming and inviting vii. Divine self-limiting - Phil. 2:7 - Jesus emptied himself while also retaining his Deity. Philippians 2:7 - Greek kneosis - 'emptied'. viii. Expression of Divine vulnerability ix. Informs us of the length and depth to which God is willing to go to restore us to relationship with him - yet, we are wholly unworthy. x. The incarnation silences any accusation of alienation on the part of Divine action. II. Human Response A. Mary was greatly troubled B. Mary was invited to participate with God in the redemptive program. C. Mary readily accepted assignment. i. 'Let it be as you say' ii. Joshua 2:21 - Rahab - iii. Scarlet cord iv. Hope for a pious young teenager and for a harlot D. Mary response - trust E Mary's response acknowledges Divine favor F. Mary's response expresses a heavenly perspective i. Earthly perspective would focus on reproach from peers ii. Fear of stoning iii. Rejection iv. Enormous responsibility. G. Mary's response expresses reverence H. The Lord is with you. #biblestudy #christmasstory #hope #characterofgod #sermon #christmas

Revelation 11, the narrative regarding the two witnesses, has often been misread with a literal interpretation, suggesting that Moses and Elijah will return in the last days. But academic scholarship provides us with a more appropriate and informative interpretation. In this lesson, we explore the two witnesses as a symbol of the church in its prophetic witness. Revelation 1:1 says that this revelation is "to show his servants what must take place." "Show" in the Greek is signify, the root word being "sign," suggesting that what follows are symbols that must be interpreted, setting aside a literal interpretation. That there are two witnesses coincides with Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 demanding that there be two witnesses for capital punishment. God is about to exercise capital punishment upon the world, thus the symbol of two witnesses. That they are said to be the two olive trees and the two lampstands, an allusion to Zechariah 4, further informs the interpretation of the two witnesses as being the church in its prophetic witness. The lampstand has already been interpreted as the church in Revelation 1 where Christ is among the seven golden lampstands as the High Priest who is among his church to trim their wicks and replenish their oil, as seen in his critique of the seven churches which follows (Chs. 3-4). The two olive trees suggest an endless supply of oil, aka anointing. God has supplied his church with everything she needs to be effective in the mission of God to the world. The fire comes out of the mouths of the two witnesses is indicative of how they make war. (Whatever is coming out of someone's mouth in the Apocalypse indicates how they make war (e.g. 1:16 - out of Jesus' mouth is a double edge sword, whereby he cuts down lies, falsehood, and propaganda 9:17 - the demonic calvary with smoke, sulfur, and fire coming from their mouths, suggesting deceit, falsehood; 12:15 - the dragon with a river of water coming from his mouth, suggesting a river of lies and propaganda. The role of the church is to proclaim the gospel. Yet, within the assignment of the proclamation of Christ, is also the assignment to speak to and renounce the toxic culture, expose lies, propaganda, and corruption, and to call a wayward society by the God. It is the duty of the church to speak out against sensitive issues in our culture such as abortion, CRT, sexualizing our children, Marxism and communism, etc. This requires three things 1) Courage, 2) Boldness, 3) Truthtelling. Revelation 11 depicts the church engaging society, being the watchmen on the wall (Isaiah 21:11-12). Revelation 11 is such a beautiful passage when interpreted correctly. That the church is depicted through these two powerful witnesses that resemble Moses and Elijah makes this such an astonishing and beautiful literary narrative. It depicts the church in its prophetic function boldly speaking to the culture of its day, calling, informing, and awakening society to the consciousness of God.

Matthew 16:15-20 - Implies resistance. I. Persecution - Matt. 10:34; Revelation 12- dragon and flood of lies and propaganda; Revelation 13 II. Power - Luke 24:49; Acts 2:1-4; 39; Acts 4:3, 8, 33; 5:33, 39; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 2:3-5; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:17, 22-23

I. The Proclamation of the Gospel   A. Mark 16:15   B. Matthew 9:37-38    C. Romans 1:16   D. Isaiah 59:14    E. Acts 3:12-21    F. Acts 4:7  G. Acts 4: 18-20   H. Acts 8:1, 4   I. Acts 14:19 J. Acts 23  II. Cultivation   A. Matthew 28:18-19   B. 1 Corinthians 3:1   C. 1 Timothy 1:7   D. Hebrews 5:12-14   E. Acts 17:11   F. 2 Timothy 2:2   G. Colossians 2:6-8 All Scripture referenced in this video comes from the New International Version. #BibleStudy #Inspiration #CultureandChristinity #Church #thegospelofChrist

The consecration of the priest presents a powerful symbolic image that is relevant for us today. Ram speaks of strength Vs. 4 - Washing of the priest - cleansing, purity - Titus 3:5 Vs. 5 - Priestly garments were red, blue, purple, and gold. Red speaks of the blood of Christ, blue of his heavenly origin and heavenly ordination, purple of his royalty, and gold of his Deity. The ephod was square and contained twelve precious stones. That it is square speaks of perfection. That it is woven speaks of unity and community . The stones represented Israel (twelve tribes), but in the New Testament, we see these stones in Revelation as the twelve foundations to the city and represent redemptions history (Old Testament and New Testament saints) - See Revelation 21:19-20. Vs. 6 - The turban is a symbol of authority. That it is called a diadem suggest royalty - a royal priesthood - 1 Peter 2:9. Vs 10 -Laying hands on the sacrificial animal suggests identification with the animal. It is symbolic of transfer of sin, shame, and guilt. Placing oil on the horns of the altar suggest that there is power in the blood. Vs. 13- Washing of the inner parts of the animal suggest inward purity. The kidneys and liver suggest inward consciousness, passions, thoughts, etc. and the purification of the inward man by Christ. Vs. 16 - Sprinkling blood on side of altar - see Hebrews 9:13. Vs. 18 - Burning remains of animal on altar- purification by fire and is symbolic of complete surrender. Vs. 20 - Placing blood of slaughtered animal on 1) the right ear, 2) the right thumb, and 3) the right big toe, suggest 1)consecration of the ear to hear the voice of God, 2) consecration of the hand to do the work of God, and 3) consecration to walk in the ways of God. Consecrated from head to tow. Vs. 24 - Wave offering - speaks of 1) worship, 2) Appeal to Divine for Acceptance, and 3) A transfer of ownership. Vs. 27 - Thigh and breast - speak of passion and action - devotion to God and walking out one's faith. Inward and outward consecration. Vs. 31-35 - Priest are to eat the meat - We are to take in Christ and become one with him, making him a part of our inward being. See John 6:53-59. The fat is considered the best part. Burning is symbolic of complete devotion. Vs. 34- "No leftovers' - There was to be no waste! Don't waste your anointing, your priesthood, your moment to serve God. Vs. 35 - seven days to ordain them suggest completion and perfection. Here it might have in mind complete consecration to God. Vs. 43 - "I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory" = God desires for us to dwell in his glory. Vs. 45-46 - 'Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God." God desire to dwell among us and to be our God. The emphasizes the social nature of God. It rings of relationship characterized by love and fellowship.  

1 Thess. 5:18 Philip. 1:3-8 Pro. 22:6; 17:17 Job 16:20-21 Pro. 27:9 Deut. 6:6-7 Col. 3:14 1 Chron. 16:37

I. Redeemed A. Gen. 1:27 - Created in Image of God -Gen 5:3-Adam has a son in his likeness and his image. Image of God marred in humanity. B. Rom. 6:6,16 - Humanity enslaved to sin. C. Rom. 6:6 - Old self was crucified with Christ - Cruciformity D. Titus 2:14- Jesus redeemed us E. Galatians 3:13- F. Ephesians 1:7 II. Adoption A. Eph. 1:3-6; verses 3-14 has 14 plural pronouns emphasizing corporate redemption- community- not individual predestination but a people unto himself. The plan of redemption, the doctrine of adoption, and the righteousness of the saints through Christ was preordained. B. Adoption brings us into the realm of the seat of his authority and invites us to partake of his suffering and eternal glory. III. Justification A. Rom. 3:24 - justification is free gift B. Rom. 3:38; 5:1 - justification is accessed by faith and saves us from wrath (5:9). C. Titus 3:7 - Justification is an expression of the grace of God. IV. Transformation A. Rom. 8:29 - preordained that the redeemed would be conformed to his likeness. B. Gal. 2:20 - Crucified with Christ - Cruciformity C. Rom. 12:2 - Do not conform to this world, but be transformed D. 2 Cor. 5:17 - We are a new creation in Christ E. 2 Cor. 4:16 - Transformation is ongoing. F. 2 Cor. 3:18 - Transformation is accumulative and ongoing. V. Sealed A. Eph. 1:13- We are sealed by the Spirit B. Metaphor of a King's seal - i. authority ii. completed transaction iii. protection iv. permission v. authenticated something as genuine vi. prevision vii. ownership VI. Filled us with his Spirit - Acts. 2

I. Heavenly Origin Revelation 13:6 says. "The Lamb was slain from the creation of the world." John 1:1 say "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." And John 1:4 says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." Ephesians 1:4-5 says that "God chase us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." This is not suggesting that God predestined some to heaven and some to hell; rather, it suggests that God predestined to have a people unto himself. Between verses 3-14, Paul employees fourteen plural pronouns (e.g. we, us, they, our), indicating that he is not speaking of individual election, but a corporate people. What is predestined is that God is going to have a people who will be blameless in his sight, and he has predetermined the doctrine of adoption - that they would be his sons, and daughters. Revelation 12:1-2 says, "A great and wonderous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth." The woman has been interpreted in at least three ways: 1). that she is Israel 2) that she is the church 3) that she is Mary who then morphs into an image of the church. I lean towards the third. That she gives birth to a son who will rule the world with an iron scepter is obviously speaking of Jesus. Some suggests the woman is Israel giving birth to Christianity, while other that she is Mary giving birth to Jesus. That she is clothed with the sun suggest that she is clothed in glory. The moon is under her feet because she had dominion over the forces of darkness. A crown of twelve stars suggest that she is victorious. Both Judaism and the church are characterized by the number twelve (twelve patriarchs and twelve apostles). It might be appropriate interpret the woman in view of redemptions history, inclusive of Old Testament and New Testament saints. That the woman is clothes with celestial garments indicates her origin and ordination are in heaven. The churches origin and ordination are in heaven. II. Jewish Heritage Genesis 11:31-12:1-4a - God called Abraham out of Ur, a pagan culture, with a plan to bless the nations through him. Genesis 49:10 - "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his. He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch, he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes." - The promise of the Messiah. Rom. 4:16 - "The promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and my be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring...he is the father of us all." Galatians 3:16; Romans 11:17-18 Hebrews 10:7 2 Corinthians 13:4 speaks of Divine vulnerability. The accusation of Divine alienation is repudiated in the cross. Jesus' death grants access to redemption that whosoever believes on him will be saved. Revelation 7:1-9 - 12 x 12 x 1000 equals 144,000 and is a symbol of redemptions history - 12 patriarchs and 12 apostles. This is seen in Revelation 21:17 as the walls of the New Jerusalem measure 144 cubits (12 x 12) and in 21:12-14 as the gates have written on them the names of the twelve patriarchs and the foundations have written on them the names of the twelve apostles. In addition, Revelation 4:4 speaks of 24 elders. The term 'elder' is an ecclesiastical term. Once again, we see 12 patriarchs and 12 apostles represented. Thus, Revelation seems to have in mind redemptions history as coming through the loins of Abraham and as having their origin in heaven. III. Origin Rooted in the Person of Jesus Christ Matthew 16:18. Greek word for 'church' means 'called out ones.' We, like our father, Abraham, have been 'called out' (1) Relationally, (2) Spiritually, (3) Morally, and (4) Vocationally/Missionally. This invites and implies transformation. The cross of Christ offends the culture of this world because it condemns the culture of this world, binding it to the indisputable laws of heaven. Because our culture finds the message of the crucified Christ offensive, some have modified it's message to accommodate our culture. This cheapening of the gospel is a disgrace in the face of our crucified and resurrected Lord who suffered at the hands of a people that hated him. We have a heavenly origin and ordination. We are sojourners- just passing through. We are called to model the culture of our origin - heaven that others might see the glory of Christ in us.

When the enemy failed to stop Israel from completing the wall, the enemy infiltrated their camp as Tobiah, a staunch enemy, married a Jewish woman from Judah (ch. 6:17-18) and befriended the priest, Eliashib, while Nehemiah was away in Babylon. Through this clever and deceptive 'friendship', Tobiah was offered a room in the temple to live in. The enemy had infiltrated the camp of the people of God. This should be a lesson for the church as the enemy has infiltrated our institutions with secularism, Marxism, and Woke ideologies from our local churches, certain denominations, and institutions of higher learning. Fortunately for Israel, Nehemiah returned and threw their enemy out of the temple.

Israel gathers corporately, confesses their sins, fast and prays, and reads the Torah. Next, they revisit their history acknowledging their rebellion and observing the mighty works of God upon their nation. In this video, I concurrently revisit our heritage in America. As Nehemiah called for national prayer and fasting, so too, our Founding Fathers called for national prayer and fasting, including, George Washington, John Adams, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson when he was governor of Virginia. Presidents throughout our history have recognized the important role prayer and fasting has on a nation with a Christian heritage. The Outline I. Corporate Consecration A. Gathered B. Fasting and sackcloth C. Confession of Sins D. Scripture II. Corporate Remembering A. God as Creator, Giver, and Sustainer of Life B. Abram as a Chosen Vehicle through which to Bless the Nation C. There was Suffering - Individual and National D. Remember God's Miracles and Providence III. Corporate Repentance IV National Response Some Quotes used by our Founders "Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other" - John Adams "If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved.' - Samuel Adams "I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence, that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance of millions now existing, and to exist in the posterity of a great nation, should be suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent Rule, in whom, all inferior spirits live, and move, and hove their bring" (Acts 17:26-28). And many more quotes from our Founding Fathers. #Biblestudy #Discipleship #Christianfaith      

When God's people step out to engage the purposes of God, they will often be met with resistance. When Israel began to rebuild their walls, their enemies opposed their progress and even threatened their lives. But with prayer and perseverance, they overcame and accomplished the purposes of God. I. The priest and Levites led the way, setting an example that the spiritual leaders ought to be leading the way in advancing the Kingdom of God in the face of cultural opposition.  II. The Community United for the Purposes of God, each bringing his personal skill set to the table. III. Their enemies Opposes their efforts IV Nehemiah prayed  V The Community Persevered VI The Community made thing right with their fellow countrymen/believers giving credibility to their faith.

Nehemiah returned to his homeland to rebuild the nation following their defeat by the Babylonians and their exile. In this video, I examine chapter 1-2 and discuss relevant issue facing our culture and the personal investment that Nehemiah was willing to make for God and his country. I. Nehemiah cared enough about God and his country and the purposes of God to inquire/be informed. II. Nehemiah cared enough about his county and the purposes of God to make an emotional investment. III. Nehemiah cared enough about his county and the purposes of God to make a spiritual investment. IV. Nehemiah cared enough about his country and the purposes of God to risk his life. V. Nehemiah cared about the reputation of his country and God. Nehemiah was wiling to make an investment in both the Kingdom of God his country-a land he had never even seen with his own eyes since he was born and raised in exile in Babylon. How can we learn from Nehemiah about the investments we can make for the eternal good of our home land.

Isaac unstopped the wells that his father, Abraham, had dug, His enemies, the Philistines, had plugged up the wells, rendering them useless. Our Forefather established principles that made America free, sovereign, great, and enduring. But there are some who are trying to plug up the wells dug by our forefathers that have made this nation great. In this episode, I explore seven principles that our forefathers wisely implemented that we must preserve in order to continue as a free and sovereign nation. The wells dug by our forefather have given us freedom, prosperity, values, and protection. It is crucial that we revisit out founder's ideas and embrace the principles that have preserved this nation and continued to make it a beacon of hope to the world.  

A celebration of the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk through the lens of Revelation 11. Popular interpretation of Revelation 11 has cast  the two witnesses narrowly as two last day prophets, but the text uses a literary code to imply that the two witnesses are symbols of the church in its prophetic witness. The assassination of Charlie is a message to the church at large and signals a shift in our culture.