The Calhoun Church of Christ Podcast

Elder Ordination Service: ”Shepherds Are Spiritual Bodyguards”

Ordaining a new elder, or shepherd, is a serious matter. That's because elders (also called pastors and overseers - or bishops - in Scripture) oversee the spiritual life of the souls under their care.

In Acts 15:1-29, the apostles included elders of the Jerusalem church in making major decisions about doctrine.

And the Apostle Paul told the Ephesian church's elders, "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood." (Acts 20:28 NIV)

Hear more about the ministry of elders in this podcast.

 

The God Who Sings Over You-4 ”The Power of Presence”

Why does God sing over his people? In Zephaniah 3:17 It was because he saw them after the judgment for their sins had passed and promised he would sing over them.

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." -Jesus (John 5:24 NIV)

This podcast helps you learn more about crossing over from judgment to life, and hearing God sing over you. Enjoy.

The God Who Sings Over You-3 ”Because of His Great Love For Us”

Why would God want to become human? Why did Deity condescend to an existence on this this planet, becoming like us?

The Bible is clear in its teaching that Christ, the Son of God, became like us so we can become like him... resurrected with new bodies like his glorious body.

But why? Why would he do such a thing? The Bible says, "Because of his great love for us" (Ephesians 2:4-5). Check out his podcast and catch the vision of God's amazing future for you.

The God Who Sings Over You -2 ”The Joy of The Lord”

The Bible tells us, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) What does that mean? Whose joy is it?

God experiences joy. He rejoices. Jesus said that all heaven rejoices when even one sinner repents and seeks God. (Luke 15:7, 10)

Jesus himself rejoiced when filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 10:21)

Our joy comes from our joyous God. Listen and learn how to experience this joy.

The God Who Sings Over You - ”When Immortality Became Mortal”

"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)

Why would God sing over us? After we've been so wrong for so long, he still rejoices in you. Why?
Because He has transferred you from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son that God loves.

With his authority over the whole human race, Christ destroyed satan's kingdom and set us all free. And that's why the Father sings. Hear more and be encouraged.

Growing A Spiritual Church-2 ”The Flesh or The Spirit?”

Jesus promised to build his church, which even the gates of Hades couldn't withstand (Matthew 16:18). And he began by training spiritual leaders. HIs church is strong when she has spiritual people who lead and spiritual people who follow.

The word "spiritual" is only used in the Bible after the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-16).

Therefore, where the Holy Spirit operates in a church, people are truly transformed, and they become truly spiritual. Listen to find out how that transformation happens.

Growing A Spiritual Church ”What is Spiritual?”

A spiritual church led by spiritual leaders is an amazing place to be. It's full of the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. It's a place where God's love is truly present.

So how can a church grow spiritual leaders who help develop spiritual disciples? Listen and hear the contrast between "spiritual" and "fleshly" and how to grow in spiritual things.

How To Grow A Spirit -14 ”Gratitude & Generosity”

Where you find a strong spirited believer, you'll find the twins, gratitude and generosity.

Being ungrateful destroys your spirit. It's a sign of unbelief and spiritual darkness ("for although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him... their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:18-22 NIV).

Faith produces gratitude, which produces generosity, which produces more gratitude, which produces more generosity, etc.

Hear this podcast to grow a stronger spirit of gratitude.

How To Grow A Spirit -13 ”The Strength of Joy”

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

How do strong spirits hang on to this 'joy of the Lord'? They recognize that if joy is lacking, faith is absent. Walking by faith causes a joy-filled life.

The "joy of the Lord" comes when you realize God created you and saves you for "his good pleasure". (Ephesians 1:5, 9 NIV) He enjoys, even delights, in having you as his child. Listen and learn more.   

How To Grow A Spirit -12 ”The Gift of Repentance”

Strong spirits know how to humble themselves and repent when needed. They know repentance - a change of understanding and direction - is actually a gift from God, which opens a giant door of opportunity and blessing.

As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, the young evangelist, he said: "As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth." (2nd Tim. 2:24-25 GNT)

Listen and learn more about this amazing gift - repentance.