Vertical Vision with Ernest Finklea

Why did Jesus save us? As we continue our study in Philippians 3:7-14, we will find the answer and guidance in how to take hold of it.

What is the most valuable thing in life? What will give us the greatest life and satisfaction? Paul gives us the answer and instructions on how to attain it in Philippians 3:7-14.

Life has seasons of hurt and sorrow. There is One who has experienced the fullness of pain and sorrow and understands what we go through. Hope and strength in the midst of hurt lies in the firm grip of Jesus who can take us through the storms that He Himself has faced.

When someone gives us a wrapped gift, the first thing we might think is, "What is it?" And then we might ask ourselves, "What does it do?" Well at Christmas, we celebrate God sending His Son wrapped in human flesh as a baby. Today's episode explores some key things we get, when we revive this Gift.

Eternal life is a terms that is used regularly in chuch and among Christians. But what is it? When does it begin? That is the topic of today's episode.

the Bible tells us that as followers of Jesus, we have many wonderful things in Him. Today's episode focuses on the forgiveness that we have in Jesus. We will see how priceless and precious it is.

As Easter approaches, it is good to reflect on the covenant that God the Father and Jesus made to us. A covenant is a promise, and when we understand the magnitude of it, it becomes a great source of hope and assurance.

There are a lot of things we can be proud of but there is one thing that is greater than them all.

When the Lord tells us to do something, it may not make sense to us. It might not be convenient. It might even push our buttons a little bit. But God only has our best interests at heart. And as we look at a conversation He had with Peter, we will see how listening to the Lord will change our circumstances.

Are Christians supposed to judge? There are those in and out of the Church who would say, "No." They use Matthew 7:1-2 as a proof text and think that Jesus just wants us to be open and accepting. But when we look at the context of what Jesus said, we see that it is not prohibiting us from judging but rather instructing us on judging correctly.

Life can be crazy. It can leave us frustrated, disappointed, and stressed out. But Paul gives us insight into how we can have hope, peace, and joy even in the midst of life's craziness.

God has given each Christian specific gifts and roles in His Body. Today's episode focuses on these gifts and roles and how the Holy Spirit uses us to build each other up in our relationship with Jesus and become more like Him.

As Christians, we learn to be disciples by following the example of Jesus and the examples of mature Christians. And as we grow in Christ, we can become examples to other Believes and disciple them in their relationship with Jesus. Today's episode addresses both following examples of discipleship and being an example.

Part of being a Disciple of Jesus is knowing how to correctly and effectively use the Bible. In today's episode, we will learn from the Master, Jesus, how to do this.

Jesus knew the Scriptures and He knew how to use them in any situation. And if we are going to follow Jesus, part of being a disciple is knowing and using the Bible. Today's episode focuses on how to gain a better understanding of the Word of God.

Communication is vital in any relationship. It determines the quality and intimacy of a relationship and the ability to achieve its goals. Today's episode focuses on communicating with our Heavenly Father through the privilege of prayer.

How can you identify a true disciple of Jesus? It is that they go to church regularly, carry a Bible, or maybe they have a position of leadership in a church? Jesus tells us that there is one thing that identifies us as His disciple; love. It is the nature of God the Father, it is the heart of Christ, and it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Today's episode focuses on what love is and how we are to follow Jesus' example of it.

Jesus lived His life in obedience to His Father and in reliance on the Holy Spirit. If we are going to live in step with Jesus, we also must live in obedience to our Father and rely on the Holy Spirit. And this relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is a tremendous privilege and blessing for us.

To be a disciple of Jesus requires that we follow Him; and to follow Him requires that we keep our eyes and minds on Him. In today's episode, we examine why it is critical for us to focus on Jesus and how to focus on Him.

Every choice we make comes at a cost; and we have to decide whether or not the benefits we gain are worth the price. Jesus invites us to follow Him. Choosing to follow comes at a cost. But not following Jesus also has a cost. In today's episode, we learn that the benefits that come with being a disciple of Jesus far outweigh what it costs us.

Jesus' invitation to us to follow Him might seem a little scary. Where will He lead me? What will He want me to do? In today's episode, Jesus tells us that in following Him we will find rest and direction in life. And the best part is that He gives us the direction and strength to follow in His steps.

Jesus invites us to follow Him, to be His disciples. In this new series, we will learn what a disciple is and how to be one. And, as we follow Jesus as His disciples, we will find real life in Him as we are conformed into His image.

The second half of Galatians chapter 2 is an account of Paul confronting Peter and other Jewish Christians for their hypocrisy. In this passage, we see the damage that different gospels and false teaching can do among Christians. But we also see the freedom and unity that comes from simply living by faith in Jesus.

It is interesting that the people Paul called out as false teachers, promoting a different and divergent gospel, accused Paul of promoting a different gospel. As Paul gives his defense to the Galatian Christians, we see two key principles about the Gospel and how to validate teachings and doctrines.

The book of Galatians is filled with some wonderful truths about what God has for us as his children. It also addresses different gospels that aim to rob us of the very freedom and power that He has provided for us and steer people away from the true gospel of salvation. Today's episode examines the danger of these gospels as we begin a new study through Galatians.

When a champion of atheism proclaims the value of Christianity, it should make us take notice and wonder why. As our world is spiraling out of control, people are seeing the value of Christianity. But what they need to see even more is the value and necessity of Jesus Christ. In today's episode, we will look at what it means to be a Christian so that we can be light in the world around us and show people the way to Jesus.

As Christians, we are ready to meet Jesus because we have put our trust in Him and what He did for us on the Cross. But will we be ready for Jesus to assess and reward the way we lived our lives? Today's episode addresses living in a way that stores up treasure in Heaven as Jesus told us to do.

The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the most important event in history. Check out today's episode to find out why.

The greatest commandment is for us to love the Lord with our whole being. But have you ever wondered why and how? This is what today's episode dives into.

Spiritual heart disease is similar to regular heart disease in that most people don't realize they have it even though it is impacting their quality of life. Today we will look at the cause and the cure for spiritual heart disease so that we can be better connected with Jesus in every aspect of our lives.

How do you live with Jesus when He isn't physically present? That's the topic of this week's episode.

Jesus said that He came to give us life and life in abundance. But at times, we may find ourselves wanting more out of our relationship with Jesus. In today's episode, we will look at a key element of having an abundant life in Christ. It is the element of sowing and reaping, what is being sown into our lives and what we are sowing into with our lives.

It's good to have ambition and we can be ambitious for many things. But the greatest ambition we can ever have is to please the Lord in everything we do. Why? Because His ways are the best ways and by walking in step with the Lord, we will enjoy blessings now and in Eternity.

At Christmas, we remember the birth of Jesus; the incarnation of the Son of God. Jesus came to deal with our sin and restore us to a relationship with God. In John's account of Jesus' birth in John 1:14, we see that Jesus came to dwell with us and have a relationship with us. Keeping Him at the center of our lives allows that relationship to flourish.

If you ever feel like your prayer life isn't very effective, today's episode will give perspective and encouragement to help you grow in your prayer life.

Today's episode is an overview of the book of Revelation and its relevance for us today.

This episode covers the books of 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, 1, 2, 3 John and Jude. The times were chaotic. The Church was undergoing heavy persecution and the Roman Empire was on the verge of civil war. These books of the Bible provided courage and comfort to the saints then and to us as well as we face the times we live in today.

The Christian life is intended to be a life of rest; and that rest is in Jesus Christ. We can rest in His finished work of salvation on the Cross. We can rest in His power, His faithfulness, His love, and so much more.

The city of Philippi was a Roman colony. Visiting there was almost as good as being in Rome. the language, culture, architecture and everything else was Roman. The book of Philippians has this as a backdrop to teach us that as Christians, we are citizens of Heaven. We are ambassadors. And as Philippi gave a good representation of Rome, the Church should give a good representation of Heaven.

The book of Ephesians has been called the Alps of theNew Testament. From its heights, we see the glory of God and the glory we possess in Christ.

Today, as has been the case throughout Church history, false doctrines have crept into the Church, weakening it by causing Believers to pursue things other than Jesus. The book of Colossians addresses false doctrines that devalue the Person and work of Jesus and exhorts us to hold fast to Jesus alone.

2 Corinthians and Romans are filled with encouragement and instruction about what Christ has done for us and how we can live to glorify Him and build one another up.

In today's episode, we examine the churches of Thessalonica and Corinth. One was beset by tribulation and persecution; the other by pride, self-centeredness, and progressivism. One was strong and loving; the other, weak and divisive. There is much for us to learn from them.

While it is known as the Acts of the Apostles, the book of Acts is really the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to those who believed in Him and Acts is the history of the Holy Spirit's work in the Church. He is still with us and in us today, and still empowers His people to live for Christ.

At the heart of the Gospel are the historical events of the crucifixion, burial, and bodily resurrection of Jesus. Jesus paid for our sin with His own life and rose from the dead as proof that our debt before God has been paid in full.

Last week, we learned that Jesus is our source for everything. Today, we learn why it is vital to be connected to Jesus, and how to do it.

Corrie Ten Boom made the statement that, "We realize that Jesus is all we need when Jesus is all we have." Today's study looks at how Jesus is the Source of everything we need.

Jesus teaches us to be and to make disciples. A disciple of Jesus is someone who patterns his or her way of thinking and living after the example and teaching of Jesus. It can be said that there are many converts and members in churches today; but disciples are few. Discipleship is a narrow road to walk, but we can do it in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit and enjoy a deeper relationship with Jesus.

The Old Testament has a continuous thread, sometimes called the Scarlet Thread, and is ever pointing to Jesus. The New Testament begins with the declaration that salvation is found in Jesus alone. He is the promised King and Savior.

The Old Testament period is coming to a close and the stage is set for the coming of Jesus. A remnant of God's people have returned to Judah. The Temple and Jerusalem have been rebuilt. And God prepares to begin the next chapter in the redemption of humanity.