PODCAST: The Mask of Knowledge

You see it on faces of people everywhere: In high school, in colleges and universities, in Bible colleges and seminaries, in pulpits and Sunday School classes, even internationally. It’s the Mask of Knowledge.

Knowledge, we “know” is a good thing. But at times we can acquire knowledge for the express purpose of hiding and avoiding — hiding our sin and brokenness, avoiding dealing with real issues.

If you consider yourself a theologian or one who has worked to develop a keen sense of biblical knowledge, this podcast may be more important to you than to others. It may help you to remove your mask.

God may help you to become real.

How can I live the Christian Life?

“It’s all grace” – Brennan Manning

True Christians have a number of things in common: an awareness of their own sin, an understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice, a choice of trust that Jesus’ death pays for their sin, and a heart that’s turned away from sinful pursuits.

Clipboard01There’s something else we have in common: A realization that we cannot live the Christian life. If you don’t realize that you cannot live the Christian life, you’re closing your eyes to reality. But don’t give up.

This podcast, presented by me at Curwensville Alliance on August 10, 2014, addresses the difficulty and explains how the gospel brings the answer. It’s all grace, you know.

If you’re interested in the sermon notes, contact me.

~Steve

 

Am I a Misanthrope?

It might be in my blood. It might not be. My dad was a likable guy. People in church, in the neighborhood, and in our family loved him. When my dad’s genes are showing up, I am pretty likable, if I do say so myself.

And then there’s dad’s cousin, Wayne. Since you’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead, I won’t talk about Wayne. But if I did talk about him, I’d say he was a crusty old grouch who didn’t like anyone. Whoops — well, when I do things like that (speaking ill of the dead), I guess it’s Wayne’s genes that are showing up.

What about you? Are you a lover of humankind or a misanthrope?

Although Wayne lived into his late 80?s, he’s the exception to the rule. Generally people who don’t love others lead shorter, lonelier lives. Their lack of spiritual and emotional health leads to a lack of physical health. Who knows what damage it does for eternity.

In this podcast, we examine how the Christians in Corinth were behaving toward one another — without love or respect — and we work to learn how we can do the opposite.

The sermon notes are available upon request. Email me at the address below.

 

 

You can listen to the podcast at the bottom of this post.