The Grove

Podcast - Hebrews 13 - Finishing Touches

Concluding this podcast series over one of the more point-blank, profound, and conclusive books in the New Testament, I wrap it up by highlighting the authors finishing touches on this detailed, and candid exposition that is sure to challenge even the most mature Believer! For in this last chapter, the author finishes his letter with a sophisticated eloquence that gives very specific rules for all who are in Christ to follow, both then, and now! Make sure to listen to this one as I will correct common misconceptions about popular verses and give thunderous exhortations sure to deepen your understanding of spiritual Truths!

Podcast - The Training of God

God will train every child He receives, and as such, we have the responsibility to endure through that training so that we can ultimately become the perfect image of Jesus Christ. But if God saw fit to train Jesus through having Him bear a cross, then we too must endure the same. But when we choose to allow the perfect training of God to work in our lives, He allows us the beautiful privilege of learning how to fly as Jesus did, the pioneer of our Faith who set the bar at the highest level and now says to all who would take on His name, "walk as I walked"...

Podcast - Commendations By Faith

In the chapter often labeled as, "The Hall of Faith", I continue the flow of Hebrews into the stream of chapter 11 by dissecting the overall premise of the chapter...the commendations of God have always been, and continue to be, given to His people through faithfulness to His will. For the men and women of old who displayed courage and faithfulness to God, without the benefits that we now enjoy in Christ, serve as examples for us of what the Holy Spirit can accomplish simply through anyone who would choose to trust God through the difficult journey of Faith!

Podcast - Hebrews 10 - A Better, More Precious Sacrifice

The first half of this chapter, I break down the insufficiency of the sacrificial system set up under the Law of Moses and the supremacy of the sacrifice of Christ! For only by His sacrifice can we have victory over sin and as such, we no longer need the temporary band-aid of the blood of bulls and goats. But in the second half, I dissect the firm warning the author is giving to Christians, both then and now, who would be tempted to cheapen the sacrifice of Christ by walking in deliberate sin. For while the sacrifice of Christ is far superior to the blood of bulls and goats, it is equally more precious to God...and mustn't be taken advantage of! For the Lord will judge His people...

Podcast - Hebrews 9 - Copies and Shadows

In keeping with the common theme the writer of Hebrews has been establishing for the last 3 chapters, we see further proof of the degradation of the first covenant in order that the second may be established in and through Christ. For the elements of the Temple orchestrated by man were simply indicators pointing us to the coming Christ and now that the substance of the shadows, or the reality of the copies, has come with Jesus, there is no longer a need for any copies and shadows to be upheld...

Podcast - Hebrews 8 - A Better Covenant

On the heels of learning that God has bypassed the physical covenant made with Israel in order to establish the spiritual covenant with the Church, we venture into chapter 8 to give further proof that what once was, no longer is, because of what has now come in Christ! That the priesthood of old only served as a temporary band-aid as a shadow of the figure of Christ, and the covenant of old has now been made obsolete for those who have come into Christ. Pay careful attention to this podcast, for if you can grasp the reality of this message, it will unveil your eyes to so much more in and throughout His Word...

Podcast - Hebrews 7 - Establishing The Spiritual

If there is one thing that has been a leading cause of heretical doctrines propagated by man in todays Church, it would be the failure to understand the foundational truth that God has bypassed what was physical in order to establish the spiritual. And in this chapter, I will navigate through this truth and hopefully bring clarity to its paramount reality because without its understanding, we will be without understanding of the new covenant we have through Christ!

Podcast - Hebrews 6 - A Once In A Lifetime Gift

Arguably, the most controversial topic in all of Hebrews is found in this plain, yet often, misunderstood and neglected chapter. For it really conveys a sobering Truth to those who are willing to take it for what it says, and not try to reason it away. And while I don't get too much into the apologetics of it all, I break it down in a simplistic, yet weighty manner that is sure to give you a reverential perspective towards the salvation we have in Christ. For as we the Church mustn't take anything for granted in what we have been given in Christ, for it truly is a once in a lifetime gift we mustn't neglect...

Podcast - Hebrews 5 - The Need To Grow

While aspects of this chapter give us a sneak peek as a precursor into the mystery surrounding chapter 7, this podcast focuses more on the things we can be more certain of, and that is how we as the Church must learn to grow in Christ through what we suffer for Christ. For if this was the formula for how Christ learned obedience, it most certainly will be the formula for how we will learn it as well. And understanding this concept is crucial for the journey towards being sanctified into the image of Christ...a path we must continue to walk if we want to be protected from the dangers of infantile Christianity...

Podcast - Hebrews 4 - The True Rest of God

There is much debate within the Church that revolves around the concept of the Sabbath. Do we still have to keep it or do we not? Is it Saturday or is it Sunday? Much debate circles around it and yet, it seems few on either side actually understand its purpose for what God intended for it from its inception. For the Sabbath was never intended to just be a means for our bodies to find rest, but the avenue for our souls to find Christ! May we as the Church stop trying to look for the rest of God in the shadows that were always intended to point to the substance of Christ!