Is “Hustle Culture” Compatible with Christianity? (09.14.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about “hustle culture.” What is that? It has to do with the idea of engaging in some type of work in addition to one’s regular job (sometimes called a “side hustle”) in order to pursue some personally fulfilling goal – whether that is in the work itself or the advantages that come from the additional income. Is something like this in harmony with the teachings and principles of Scripture? Or is it something that Christians should be wary about? We’re going to talk about this today.Continue Reading

Monthly News Roundup (07.27.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This episode is our monthly news roundup for July. In this episode, we’re talking about a university where 40% of the students identify as LGBTQ, how men are “less satisfied” when women are the breadwinners in their home, and countries where the younger generation is more likely to believe in God than the older generation.Continue Reading

Conduct Yourselves in a Manner Worthy of the Gospel

Reading an Open Bible

When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, there were very few problems that he needed to correct. These brethren were faithfully following the Lord and were an encouragement to the apostle. So he encouraged them to continue serving the Lord in a way that would please Him. Consider the following verses:

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me” (Philippians 1:27-30).

In the passage above, Paul told them to “conduct [themselves] in a manner worthy of the gospel.” This indicates that the gospel calls us to a higher standard, and Christians must strive to live up to it. But what exactly does that mean? How can we do this today? Let us consider what Paul wrote in this passage about how we can “conduct [ourselves] in a manner worthy of the gospel.”Continue Reading

Seek the Welfare of the City

Babylon

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to God’s people who were in Babylonian captivity. The letter contained instructions about how they were to conduct themselves while they lived as strangers in a foreign land. It also explained what they could hope for in the future.

Today, we live as exiles in the world. As we consider what Jeremiah had to say to the Jews in captivity, the basic points he made to them are helpful to us as well.

However, before we get to the letter that Jeremiah sent, it would be helpful to understand a little bit about what happened just before this. Back in Jerusalem, Hananiah falsely prophesied that Babylon would soon be defeated (Jeremiah 28:1-4, 11), allowing the captives to return. Jeremiah refuted this (Jeremiah 28:12-14). Afterward, Jeremiah sent a letter to those who were in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1-3).

The recipients of Jeremiah’s letter may have hoped that he was announcing deliverance in the near future. Instead, they were told that they would be in captivity for “seventy years” (Jeremiah 29:10). In other words, those who had been taken would die in captivity – something that would surely be difficult and disappointing to hear. Notice what Jeremiah wrote to them:Continue Reading

The Problem with the Lottery (01.12.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about the lottery. The Mega Millions jackpot, at the time of this recording, is at $1.35 billion, and it will go even higher if there is no winner after the drawing this Friday. When the jackpot gets insanely high like this, many people buy lottery tickets who would not ordinarily do so. For many others, buying lottery tickets is a way of life – hoping to pick the lucky numbers that will instantly transform their life. Is this harmless fun, or is it wrong and something to be avoided? Let’s consider some things that the Bible has to say to help us answer that question.Continue Reading

Four Areas of Focus for the New Year (12.29.22)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about four areas of focus for the new year. Obviously, if we need to change our focus or make resolutions, we can do this ANY time. But the start of a new year can provide us with an extra bit of motivation to reset our priorities. These four areas are what I have been working on this year and will continue to do so in the new year. All of these are rooted in Scripture, so I’m sharing them here in hopes that you can find some way to apply these principles to your life moving forward.Continue Reading

“God Helps Those Who Help Themselves”

An angel defeats the Assyrian army

At least for those of us who live in the United States, we have all likely heard this phrase at some point: “God helps those who help themselves.” This statement is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790). It is also sometimes cited as an example of a phrase that people mistakenly think is in the Bible.

To be clear, this phrase is NOT in the Bible. However, the principle absolutely is. In order to take full advantage of what God offers to us, we must do what we are able to do.

We can see this concept when we read of the example of King Hezekiah and the actions he took when the Assyrian army invaded Judah and intended to make war with Jerusalem. Notice what the Scripture records:Continue Reading