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Thrive: Deeper

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Feb 20, 2025 • 51min

217 Thrive Deeper: Genesis 4-8

Cain and Abel, sons of Adam and Eve, made offerings to God. God favored Abel’s gift, leading a jealous Cain to kill his brother. As punishment, God made Cain a wanderer but marked him for protection. Humanity multiplied, with long lifespans detailed up to Noah. As people grew wicked, God planned a flood to cleanse the earth but spared righteous Noah. Noah built an ark, saving his family and animals. After forty days of rain, the ark rested on Mount Ararat. Noah confirmed the land was dry, and they left the ark.
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Feb 6, 2025 • 56min

216 Thrive Deeper: Genesis 2-3

Genesis 2-3 provides a detailed and intimate account of the creation of humans and their immediate environment. Unlike the structured and poetic narrative of Genesis 1, which presents the creation of the world in six days, Genesis 2 focuses on the relationship between God and humanity. It highlights personal interactions, emphasizing God's immanence and personal involvement in creation. In this chapter, Adam is formed from the dust of the ground, and the Garden of Eden is created as his dwelling place. The narrative then describes the creation of animals and finally Eve, who is formed from Adam's side, symbolising equality and partnership. Genesis 3 continues the story by introducing the fall of humanity. It describes the temptation of Adam and Eve by the serpent and their subsequent disobedience to God's command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This act of disobedience leads to the loss of their original innocence and purity, bringing sin and death into the world. The chapter emphasises the profound impact of sin on their relationship with God, each other, the environment and their own self-perception. It marks the beginning of humanity's struggle with sin, shame, and the need for redemption.
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Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 1min

215 Thrive Deeper: Genesis 1

In this episode of Thrive Deeper we delve into Genesis 1, the foundational chapter of the Bible. We'll explore the profound themes of creation, order, and purpose as we examine the narrative of God's creative work. We'll discuss the theological significance of the six days of creation, the role of humanity as image-bearers of God, and the implications of the creation account for our understanding of the world and our place in it. Join us as we uncover the rich layers of meaning in Genesis 1 and its enduring relevance for faith and life.
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Jan 9, 2025 • 54min

214 Thrive Deeper: 1,2, 3 John & Jude

The books of 1 2 & 3 John, are letters written by the Apostle John, emphasising the importance of love, truth, and fellowship with God. John encourages the relatively new Christian movement of believers – the Church - to walk in the light, love one another, and reject false teachings. He highlights the assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ and the need for believers to live righteously, reflecting God's love in their actions. In 2 John, John writes a brief letter to a specific church congregation, urging them to continue walking in truth and love. Again, he warns against false teachers who deny the incarnation of Jesus Christ and encourages the recipients to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ. 3 John is a personal letter from the Apostle John to his friend Gaius. John commends Gaius for his faithfulness and hospitality towards traveling missionaries. He contrasts Gaius's positive example with the negative behavior of Diotrephes, who refuses to welcome the missionaries and seeks to undermine John's authority. The book of Jude, written by Jude, the brother of James (and half brother of Jesus), warns against false teachers who have infiltrated the Christian community. Jude urges believers to contend for the faith and remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ. He highlights the importance of building oneself up in faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and showing mercy to those who doubt. Jude concludes with a beautiful blessing, praising God for His ability to keep believers from falling and to present them blameless before His presence.
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Dec 26, 2024 • 1h 1min

213 Thrive Deeper: 1 & 2 Peter

1 Peter The book of 1 Peter, written by the Apostle Peter, addresses Christians facing persecution and suffering. Peter encourages the early believers to remain steadfast in their faith, emphasising the hope and inheritance they have in Christ. He urges them to live holy lives, submit to authorities, and endure suffering with patience, following the example of Christ. The letter also highlights the importance of love, humility, and serving one another within the Christian community. 2 Peter In 2 Peter, the Apostle warns against false teachers and their destructive heresies. He emphasises the importance of growing in knowledge and godliness, again reminding these new believers of the certainty of Christ's return and the final judgment. Peter encourages Christians to remain diligent in their faith, to be wary of false teachings, and to live lives that reflect their calling. The letter concludes with a call to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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7 snips
Dec 12, 2024 • 48min

212 Thrive Deeper: James

Explore how persecution can purify faith, strengthening communities through shared struggles. Discover the legacy of James, brother of Jesus, and his leadership in early Christianity. Delve into the relationship between genuine faith and actionable wisdom, emphasizing equality within the church. Unpack the power of words in conveying the Christian message while fostering humility. Examine the importance of vulnerability for community healing. Finally, reflect on trust-building as a transformative journey in personal and communal growth.
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Nov 28, 2024 • 40min

211 Thrive Deeper: Hebrews 9-13

The Book of Hebrews is the key to connecting the theology of the Old Testament with the new. The latter chapters of Hebrews highlight the superiority of Christ's sacrifice over the old covenant. Chapter 9 discusses the regulations for worship under the old covenant and Christ's entry into the heavenly sanctuary, securing eternal redemption. Chapter 10 emphasises the insufficiency of the old sacrificial system and the perfection of Christ's sacrifice, urging believers to draw near to God with full assurance of faith. In chapter 11 we read a showcase of the faith of Old Testament figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses, defining faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see which then encourages believers in Chapter 12 to persevere in their faith, using the metaphor of running a race and understanding God's discipline as a sign of his love. Chapter 13 provides practical instructions for Christian living, emphasizing love, hospitality, and contentment, concluding with a benediction and final greetings, in the typical form of a letter.
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Nov 14, 2024 • 37min

210 Thrive Deeper: Hebrews 1-8

Hebrews 1-8 emphasises the supremacy of Christ and His role as our High Priest. Jesus is superior to angels and Moses, and He is the Son over God's house. The chapters highlight the importance of faith, the promise of entering God's rest, and Jesus' qualifications as our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. The new covenant, mediated by Jesus, offers forgiveness of sins and a transformed heart, surpassing the old covenant's earthly regulations.
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Oct 31, 2024 • 59min

209 Thrive Deeper: Matthew 26-28

In Matthew Chapters 26-28, the narrative unfolds with the chief priests and elders plotting to kill Jesus, but they decide to avoid doing so during the feast to prevent a riot. At Bethany, a woman anoints Jesus with expensive perfume, symbolically preparing Him for burial. Meanwhile, Judas agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. During the Last Supper, Jesus celebrates Passover with His disciples, predicts His betrayal, and institutes the Lord’s Supper. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays in deep agony, seeking the Father’s will. Judas then betrays Jesus with a kiss, leading to His arrest. Jesus is tried before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, and Peter denies knowing Him three times. The next chapter sees Jesus brought before Pilate, who ultimately sentences Him to be crucified. Judas, filled with remorse, hangs himself. Jesus is mocked, crucified, and dies on the cross. He is then buried in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea. On the third day, Jesus rises from the dead, appearing first to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, and later to His disciples. Finally, Jesus commissions His disciples to spread the gospel to all nations, marking the foundation of Christian faith with His resurrection and the Great Commission.
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Oct 17, 2024 • 1h

208 Thrive Deeper: Matthew 22-25

Matthew 22: This chapter features Jesus' teachings through parables and discussions. It includes the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, where Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven. He answers questions about paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and identifies the greatest commandment: love God and love your neighbor. Matthew 23: Jesus denounces the religious leaders for their hypocrisy and blind legalism. He pronounces a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees, emphasising the importance of inner purity and genuine faith over outward appearances and ritualistic religion. Matthew 24: This chapter, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse, deals with Jesus' teachings on the imminent destuction of Jerusalem and the Temple.He speaks about the signs of the times, the coming tribulations, and the importance of staying vigilant and prepared for His return. Matthew 25: Jesus gives His direction about the end times with three parables: the Parable of the Ten Virgins, emphasising readiness and watchfulness; the Parable of the Talents, highlighting faithful stewardship; and the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, which focuses on the final judgment and the importance of compassion and service to others.

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