Trinity Missionary Church Podcast

Have you ever taken the time to think about the difference between the temporal and the eternal?  On earth, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the moment and live for today.  We focus on the temporal while forgetting that God has placed eternity into the hearts of man. This is exemplified in the parable Jesus told in Luke 12:16-21 about a farmer and his barns.  The farmer had several wonderful years where his crops flourished; therefore, he decides to build bigger barns to hold all of his bumper crops.  The farmer sees an opportunity to take it easy and live on his excess crops and skip the hard, toilsome work that resulted in his amazing harvest.  This farmer is scorned for his short-sightedness and the Bible says his very life will be demanded from him for such a foolish decision.  What are we to take from this parable?  The challenge Jesus gives is for us to look past the temporal to the eternal.  Go ahead and get your degree.  Then what?  Buy that house, c

Have you ever heard of a place in Istanbul, Turkey called the Hagia Sophia?  This magnificent structure was built as a church almost 1500 years ago during the reign of the Byzantine Empire.  It's name translated means "Holy Wisdom" and the structure has quite a storied past.  For most of it's history, the Hagia Sophia has served as a Greek Orthodox Church.  Within the past several hundred years, the structure was turned into a Mosque.  And, most recently, the Hagia Sophia has been turned into a museum.  How does a house of worship go from sacred to secular?  More importantly, how does a group of people go from worshipping the one true God, to completely turning away from Him?  Is this something that just happened "back then" in history, or could it happen again?  The Apostle John was given an opportunity by God to see the future and get a glimpse of the end of time.  Today we know John's reporting of these events as the book of Revelation at the end of your Bi

Six weeks ago, we embarked upon a study called, "Rooted" which was based upon the Apostle Paul's words found in Ephesians 3:17-19.  As we conclude this series on Father's Day, we turn our attention to inspecting our foundation, or that which is of utmost importance.  You could ask the questions, "Upon what is your faith built?  What is your foundation?"  Back in the days of Moses, God established the foundation for His people in His giving of the Ten Commandments.  Interestingly enough (and not by coincidence,) the second commandment is the commandment upon which God expounds the most.  The second commandment focuses on avoiding idolatry at all costs.  When we hear the word, "idolatry," our minds usually go straight to little figurines or icons worshipped by people in other countries.  Idols are very prevalent today, but we tend not to notice them because they have become so common.  Idolatry is defined as anything you value more than God.  An idol is somethin

For the past four Sundays, we have been studying what it means to be "Rooted and established" in our faith.  Rooted does not mean stubborn- it means dependent.  If we are rooted in our faith, we are dependent on God for everything.  This especially holds true for the family.  As we talk about the family, we are talking about people who are in trouble.  The godly family is endangered in today's culture.  So, what do we do to fix our problems? The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:18, " . . . be filled with the Spirit."  It sounds simple, doesn't it?  But, being filled is different then receiving the Spirit.  Being filled means we give the Holy Spirit full power over our lives.  Being filled means He can interrupt, change the direction of and permeate every aspect of our lives.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a command, not a suggestion.  If we took the time to be filled and keep being filled with the Spirit, our families would be radically diff

Great families are not great by accident.  Great families come from many intentional choices on a daily basis.  It is safe to say that every family has it's share of dysfunction.  From the time of Adam and Eve ushered in dysfunction with their choice to disobey God, all families have had to deal with dysfunction.  Not every family can blend together like the Brady Bunch.  In fact, the issue with many blended families is that they often collide instead of blend.  So what do we do to help boost families?  From today's study, you will see that Abraham had to fight hard to blend his very dysfunctional family.  But, in the end, God helped Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael and Isaac blend together.  Join us as we study God's principles that help blend our families.

What legacy will you leave to the next generation?  The question is not how much money  you leave, the size of your estate, how many vehicles or even what accomplishments you achieved.  But, what Kingdom impact have you had or how has God used you?  The interesting thing about your legacy is that the legacy you have been given (from past generations) is not necessarily the legacy you will leave.  None of us chose the legacy we have been given, but we must choose what we do with that legacy.  The Apostle Paul wrote about the importance of legacy when he mentored Timothy.  In 2 Timothy 2, Paul uses six examples of legacy to challenge young Pastor Timothy to consider his past and choose for the future.  We will all leave a legacy, but we choose what kind of legacy we leave.  What legacy will you leave for the next generation?  Join us as we explore the topic of legacy. 

As we embark on week number two of our family message series entitled, "Rooted," we ask the question, "Is mercy missing in your family?"  Maybe we need to start with a more basic question.  What is mercy?  Is mercy a feeling or emotion?  We use phrases like, "Lord, have mercy!" but what does that really mean?  Mercy is so much more than an emotion.  Mercy is love in action.  It is a choice.  It is seeing a need and doing something about it.  Mercy never holds a grudge, never flaunts a weakness, never makes something of someone else's failures.  Mercy is exactly what every family needs!  Join us this week as we explore what God has to say about mercy, and how it impacts the family.

What is more refreshing than finding a nice shady spot under a tree on a hot summer's day?  As we begin the Family Message series for 2019, Rooted and Growing Together, we explore the importance of shade.  The Chinese proverb says, "One generation plants the tree, another enjoys the shade."  Think about this concept of shade for a minute.  When we say shade we are really talking about ethics, right & wrong, integrity, example, daily conduct, moral duty and faith in Jesus Christ.  If you are enjoying shade today, you can thank your predecessors.  Are you planting trees for future generations to enjoy the shade?    In Genesis 1-2, God made man and God made woman and together they formed the first family.  God's original design for the family has been under constant attack from the beginning.  We have especially seen the attack on the family these past several years.  If ever we needed "shade" in regards to family, it is now!  Abortion, the transgen

Do you remember a time when you were gripped by fear?  Rational or irrational, fear is an emotion that can cripple us.  We have fears about our health, traveling, finances, safety, death and fear of the unknown.  God does not want fear to become "normal" in a Christian's life. This week we take a look a two very familiar stories in the Bible that deal directly with fear. The first story is Peter and Jesus walking on the water.  And the second story is David and Goliath.  Though fear is an emotion we all feel, it does not have to govern our lives.  Join us this week as we learn what to do with fear and how to have victory over it today.

What motivates you?  What is your one desire?  For what are you willing to sacrifice everything?  This week, Pastor Steve challenges us to consider these questions.  The Apostle Paul wrote about his desire in Philippians 1:25, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith."  Paul also wrote, "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith" (2 Corinthians 1:24).  Maybe a better question is what brings you joy?  For the Apostle Paul, joy came through encouraging and challenging others in their faith.  He was willing to endure so much pain and hardship for the benefit of others and their walk with Jesus Christ.  Are you willing to do the same for others?  Join us this week as we discuss our one desire and joy.

This Resurrection Sunday we celebrate our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  He overcame sin and death to give us new life, to the glory of God the Father.  This is an incredible truth worth celebrating!  Why, then, do so many live as though Jesus never rose from the dead?  The resurrection should affect how we live every day.  Because of the resurrection we should parent differently.  Because of His resurrection we should love our spouses differently.  Because of the resurrection our finances should be handled differently.  Because of the resurrection we should work differently.  Do you live like Jesus rose from the dead?  This Resurrection Sunday, join us as we examine the power of the resurrection and how it impacted the lives of people in the Bible, and how it still impacts us today.

This Palm Sunday, we celebrate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by remembering what He did for us at "The Table."  We read in Isaiah 62:11, "Behold, your Savior comes!"  This is Good News to be sure, but couple His coming with is His sacrifice and His resurrection, and suddenly we have INCREDIBLE NEWS!  Today, we can have freedom in Jesus Christ!  This is what "The Lord's Table" signifies- sacrifice that leads to salvation.  God's standard for forgiveness required a blood sacrifice, and Jesus came to be that perfect sacrifice for us.  Our natural tendency as sinful human beings is to lower the standard so we can experience success.  We want to "fix ourselves" and call sin something else to make us feel better.  In reality, we are defiling the Lord's Table, and when we try to change God's standard of holiness, we lose.  Can we be perfect?  No, but 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that "For our sake, He (God) made Him (Jesus) to become sin Who knew no sin, so that in H

Over the last ten weeks we have been on an in-depth study of the Life of the Apostle Paul. From conversion to his martyr's death, Paul loved the Church.  No, we are not talking about a particular congregation in a specific city from one of Paul's three missionary journeys.  The love Paul had for the Church was for all followers of Jesus Christ and was patterned after the love Jesus had for His people.  In Ephesians 5:25-27, Paul instructs men to love their wives, "as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for Her."  This love reaches far beyond tolerating bad behavior or overlooking annoyances.  If we are to love others as Christ loved the Church, it requires sacrifice, patience, forgiveness and compassion.  The Apostle John wrote of this love in 1 John 4.  We cannot love God, but hate the Church- just as we cannot love the bridegroom but hate the bride.  John is very clear in his letter when he said, "If any one says, 'I love God," and hates his brother, he is a l

It is written that idol worship was so prevalent in Athens, Greece, during the Apostle Paul's first visit that it was easier to find an idol than a human being.  That may be exaggerated a bit, but when the Apostle Paul walked around Athens, he noticed many altars to many different gods.  He took special notice of an altar dedicated to "The unknown god."  Due to Paul's upbringing as a devout Jew (specifically Commandments #1 and #2) and because of his new perspective as a follower of Christ, the Apostle Paul had an emotional reaction to this abhorrent idol worship.  More than just "bothered" by this idol worship, the Apostle Paul was moved to action by the polytheistic worship of false gods.  The week as we continue our journey through the life of the Apostle Paul, we examine the passionate argument and plea Paul makes to the Athenians to introduce them to this "unknown god."  Paul refuses to allow idol worship take away the honor God rightfully deserves.  Why aren't we as bo

As we continue our journey through the life of the Apostle Paul, we come to an important concept that was the focal point of Paul's ministry.  In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus says to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  What is the harvest?  Where are the harvest fields?  And, why are the workers few?  The harvest consists of all peoples of the world whom are made in God's image.  The harvest fields are all around us, and the few workers are those who are willing to share the Gospel of Jesus with those in the harvest fields.  Jesus died on the cross to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins- once and for all.  After three days, Jesus rose from the dead conquering sin's grip on us and giving us freedom from sin and death.  This message is what Paul shared everywhere he went, and is the same message we are to share every day.  Jesus saves!  

Have you ever felt unqualified?  Maybe you are struggling as a parent trying to connect to your children.  Maybe you feel overwhelmed at your job, like you can't quite get it right and gain the approval of your boss.  How about spiritually in your faith walk with God?  Do you feel like God is just tolerating you as you bumble through your day?  Here is the brutal truth: in our fallen human condition, we ARE unqualified!  But, here is the good news- because of the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have been made "qualified."  Only through the blood of Jesus are we qualified.  The next question is, for what are we qualified?  The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 15:20- "and thus, I make it my ambition to preach the Gospel, not where Christ as already been named, lest I build on somebody else's foundation."  As we continue studying the life of the Apostle Paul in Acts 14:1-28, let's focus on making a difference in our world "on p

Are you available?  No, I am not asking about your relationship status.  But, are you available for God to use however He chooses?  This Podcast focuses on Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey where the good news of Jesus Christ was proclaimed to Gentiles.  Of course, Paul and Barnabas were met with much opposition from the Jews who did not believe the Gentiles deserved to hear the Gospel.  Are we willing to be available, even when God asks us to do the impossible?  Fortunately, God ALWAYS gives us the strength to do what He asks.  Our job is to be available.  Join us this week as we discuss being available for God to use.

It is fair to say that the Apostle Paul's life was full of many highs and many lows.  In God's instruction Ananias regarding Saul, He said, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry My Name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.  For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name” (Acts 9:15-16).  The amazing thing is that though Paul did suffer for Jesus' Name, God kept His promise to be with Paul through everything.  Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 that God is the God of all comfort.  God allows pain so He can comfort us in our suffering.  We can then comfort others in their pain and they can comfort others, and so on.  Do you see the ripple effect?  Paul writes later in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  Are we willing to

In the last Podcast in the life of the Apostle Paul, he spent a substantial amount of time in the desert of Arabia alone with God.  What happened during this extended time away from civilization in the presence of God?  This week we focus on this time of Paul's life- the time we will call "The Waiting Room."  What do you do when you know you are called to do something and you have the passion and drive, but God does not release you do fulfill this calling?  Are we patient enough to stay in the waiting room until God sees fit to call us out?    An interesting fact about the Bible is that the word "hurry" is never found in the text.  Why does the waiting room cause such anxiety.  As Paul experienced in his many years in Arabia, just because heaven seems still, God is not necessarily silent.  He is often preparing us for the next chapter in our faith journey.  God knew what Paul was going to face in his ministry, and He knew exactly how to teach and prepare him t

As we head into the fourth week in our study of the life of the Apostle Paul, it has been well established that Saul of Tarsus was not a friend of the early Church.  But, when God gets ahold of someone's life, everything changes.  Early Church father, St. Augustine said of the transformation of the Apostle Paul, "It is a picture of a violent capture of a rebel heart."  True life transformation happens from the inside-out, and is far more than just cosmetic.  Anybody can "look the part" of a follower of Christ, but true transformation changes the entire person.  After Ananias laid hands on Saul of Tarsus and the Holy Spirit entered Paul, what happened next?  It is easy to think that the Apostle Paul simply went out to the Synagogue and began preaching, but he was not ready for such a task.  Would Paul become one of the greatest apologists of history?  Yes, but he first needed to spend time with God being mentored, taught and transformed.  In Galatians 1:15-17, Paul