Dr. Dan Hayden expository, expositional, sermons, scripture, bible study, word of God, Dan Hayden, Christian, Jesus Christ, God http://www.awordfromtheword.org Dr. Dan Hayden teaches expositional messages from the Word of God that explore the biblical text for answers to life's most pressing issues. Revealing the truths of the Bible and their application to life in the 21st century. en-us Copyright 2009 A Word from the Word Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:07:07 EDT tdscripts.com Podcast Generator feedback@awordfromtheword.org AWFTW Producer feedback@awordfromtheword.org http://www.awordfromtheword.org/pix/dan-hayden.jpg http://www.awordfromtheword.org Christianity 1 Shadows of the Cross: The Peace Offering - Leviticus 3. An amazing aspect of our Christian life is that we have peace with God. The peace offering described in Leviticus was a sweet savor offering, expressing something favorable to God - and was offered in conjunction with the burnt offering and the meal offering. (31:53) Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:31:53 Shadows of the Cross: The Meal Offering - Leviticus 2. Loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength is an incredible challenge. But then, so is loving our neighbor as ourselves. According to the Bible, that means more than doing a nice deed now and then. It is having a servant spirit at all times with regard to our interactions with other people. In studying the meal offering we are confronted by God's mandate for sacrificial service in loving others. (35:29) Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:35:29 Shadows of the Cross: Christ - The Sum of the Offerings - Hebrews 10:1-4. When Jesus died on the cross, He was accomplishing many things simultaneously. In fact, it took five separate and distinct sacrificial offerings in Old Testament times to expose all of the facets of our Lord's death. (33:03) Sun, 14 Jun 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:33:03 God's Vision for the Church, Part 8 - Ephesians 4:11-12. Reaching people with the Gospel of Christ is an integral part of the mission of the Church. Our Lord role-modeled that concern for us as He reached out to people from all walks of life with the message of salvation. Then, just before He left, He commissioned the founders of the Church to keep doing what He had begun - Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15). In our day, and in our community, we are to continue that tradition of the Body of Christ. The church is to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world with the message of salvation in Christ (Matthew 5:13-16). (39:38) Sun, 07 Jun 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:39:38 God's Vision for the Church, Part 7 - Ephesians 4:16. When some members of the body of Christ don't fulfill their God given purpose in the church, then other members have to compensate for that lack. Some become over busy, while others do nothing. To the extent that that happens, the body of Christ becomes handicapped and its efforts in the cause of Christ are crippled. On the other hand, it is a beautiful thing when the body of Christ functions as God intended with every Christian contributing. (41:12) Sun, 31 May 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:41:12 God's Vision for the Church, Part 6 - Ephesians 4:12. Before going out, your body ministers to itself. You wash, groom, and eat so you will be as prepared as you can be to face the day. If you are unclean, disheveled and famished, you will not be nearly as effective in what you do. The body of Christ, the Church, is like that too. Christian service is the body ministering to itself in love. It is ensuring that the body is well prepared to meet the challenge of witness in the world. If the Church is disorganized and untrained it will not be very effective as a witness for Christ. However, if the church is well organized and fully equipped for it's task, then it's ministry as a light of the Gospel will be more powerful. Serving one another in the love of Christ is the means by which God prepares us for witness. (41:41) Sun, 24 May 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:41:41 God's Vision for the Church, Part 5 - Ephesians 4:13-14. Most people do not know when they are being deceived. That's the nature of deception - it takes them off guard because there is something they don't know about what is happening. On the other hand, when a person knows the truth, that person is able to see through the deception and is not deceived. Therefore, a wise person is diligent in the pursuit of truth. Learning the truth of God's Word helps us to mature as Christians. This means we are continually growing to become more like Christ. It also means we will be less and less likely to be deceived by spiritual error. (39:43) Sun, 17 May 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:39:43 God's Vision for the Church, Part 4 - Ephesians 4:13-15. Spiritual maturity is linked to knowing. A Christian cannot act responsibly unless he knows what to do. Learning is the means of growing up in Christ. (41:39) Sun, 10 May 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:41:39 God's Vision for the Church, Part 3 - Ephesians 4:15. The most important thing we can do as Christians and as a church is to praise God for who He is and for what He has done. Acknowledging God and honoring Him is the basis of all meaningful life. This is especially true with regard to our relationship with Jesus Christ for He is our HEAD and all things from the Father come to us through Him. Our primary task is to worship God by worshipping the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. We do this when we respond in our hearts by giving Him our devotion and allegiance - that is, when we both honor Him and obey Him. (45:12) Sun, 03 May 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:45:12 God's Vision for the Church, Part 2 - Ephesians 4:11-16. There are four distinct means by which God's purpose for the church is to be fulfilled. The first is WORSHIP, our verticle response to the Lord, which is our chief responsibility. Second is LEARNING, which is obviously essential to growth and maturity. Then there is SERVICE, where each part of the body has a significant role to play in ministering to the rest of the body. Finally, God wants the church to REACH OUT with the gospel so others can come to faith in Christ and be added to the church. (45:46) Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:45:46 God's Vision for the Church, Part 1 - Ephesians 4:11-16. Direction and purpose are essential ingredients of success in any endeavor. God says, where there is no vision the people are unrestrained - which simply means that lack of direction (vision) leads to lack of purpose (unrestrained). As a church, we should have a clear idea of God's direction and purpose for our ministry. We need a clear vision so we can have a well defined purpose. (39:08) Sun, 19 Apr 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:39:08 What If? - 1 Corinthians 15:17. What if Jesus Christ never rose from the dead? Would that make any difference in your faith? Could you still go on being a Christian? When it comes to eternal life and forgiveness of sins, everything is nothing if Christ did not rise from the dead. Conversely, if the resurrection is true, then salvation in Christ is a glorious hope. (43:06) Sun, 12 Apr 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:43:06 Day of the King - The Triumphal Entry - Luke 19:28-44. Palm Sunday is the day on our annual religious calendar when we celebrate the time Jesus Christ officially presented himself to Israel as their King. It has been called the triumphal entry because the procession had all of the celebration of a triumphant King entering the gates of the city. Palm branches were strewn in his path as excited people cried out - Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord. At the same time, however, the dark clouds of hostility and rejection were gathering on the horizon as the leaders of Israel were plotting his death. On Sunday the crowds worshipped him as their King, but by Friday they had nailed him to a cross as a criminal. (44:49) Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:44:49 When God Declares War - Poetic Justice - Obadiah 15-19. The Day of the Lord will bring judgement on the nations. It will be a time of divine justice and devastating judgement. The Day of the Lord will also bring deliverance for God's people and the establishing of the Kingdom. (53:13) Sun, 29 Mar 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:53:13 When God Declares War - Day of Reckoning - Obadiah 10-14. Foolish wisdom and weak strength. The ways of the flesh will eventually let you down and the ways of the flesh will ultimately bring you down. (38:17) Sun, 22 Mar 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:38:17 When God Declares War - That Let Down Feeling - Obadiah 7-9. Foolish wisdom and weak strength. The ways of the flesh will eventually let you down and the ways of the flesh will ultimately bring you down. (55:44) Sun, 15 Mar 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:55:44 When God Declares War - Lofty Deception - Obadiah 3-6. When we exalt the flesh, we set ourselves up for spiritual failure. God hates the flesh and is committed to its ultimate destruction. (46:07) Sun, 08 Mar 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:46:07 When God Declares War - The Fighting Twins - Obadiah 1-2. Using the apocalyptic Day of the Lord as the focus of his prophecy, Obadiah explains why Edom will be judged by God. (49:21) Sun, 01 Mar 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:49:21 Armed to the Teeth - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 6:13-18. What does the Bible teach about dealing with demon activity? Since every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, no Christian can be possessed by a demon. However, demons can seduce and harass Christians, which is why Christians must be strong in the power of His might. (62:01) Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:07:07 EDT 01:02:01 Both Sides of the Street - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 6:10-12 is the most concentrated, extensive, explicit passage in the Wod of God on the subject of the spiritual conflict - the warfare that is going on in the spirit world that also effects our human world. (54:57) Sun, 15 Feb 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:54:57 Respect at Work - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 6:5-9. What effect should your values have on everyday life? Do you see your work as a spiritual ministry before God? (56:49) Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:56:49 More Than A Good Idea - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 6:1-4. Raising children in our present age is an enormous task, especially when you understand that the family provides the basic cell of society. The most important gift parents can give to their children is a happy marriage. (62:19) Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:07:07 EDT 01:02:19 The Marriage Maker - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 5:25-33. God's design for roles in the marriage union have been questioned, especially in our present age when individualism and self-fulfillment are sought after goals. Women want equality in leadership instead of submission and men want freedom and self-indulgance instead of responsibility. So, what is the root of this problem and what is the solution? (57:17) Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:57:17 Jealous for Love - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 5:22-24. In the last half century, marriage has experienced a firestorm of criticism and change - to the point where half of all marriages now end in divorce. Why is marriage in such bad shape when God designed it to be so good? (58:23) Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:58:23 Project Me - Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 5:19-21. These three verses are all personal responses to life and provide a crucial perspective to how life works. We need to walk in the light of the Word of God and the council of Christ. How will you respond? (58:01) Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:58:01 Living in the Tension of Reality - Ephesians 5-6. Living in an ungodly world has always been difficult for the serious Christian. In the midst of moral decay and spiritual decline, to live a life that brings glory to Christ is an immense challenge. Therefore, it is increasingly important to understand God's ideal in every dimension of life - personal, marriage, family, and work. In the last chapters of his letter to the Ephesians, Paul helps us to get a grip on the reality of effective living as we face the tension of the spiritual conflict. (49:42) Sun, 04 Jan 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:49:42 O Bethlehem - Bitter Sweet Destiny (Matthew 2, Luke 2). When the angels spoke in chorus to the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem, they said, ...and on earth peace among men... (Luke 2:14). It was all so mystical and wonderful. Yet, in a few days, the angelic words would seem so distant and unreal. Rome was still ruling in the land and Herod was still on the Jewish throne. It wasn't long before children were being killed in Bethlehem - which is the last record we have of the little town. Life was anything but peaceful. The words of the angels, however, were prophetic and true (56:07) Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:56:07 O Bethlehem - City of David (Micah 5:2). One of our favorite Christmas carols is "O Little Town of Bethlehem." We sing the phrase "how still we see thee lie," but nothing could be farther from the truth. On the night of Jesus birth, the town was swollen with visitors and bustling with unprecedented business - much like our modern Christmas holiday season. Yet, in the midst of all of the busyness, there were a few who in quiet contemplation worshiped the baby Jesus. (51:27) Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:51:27 O Bethlehem - City of David (1 Samuel 16). The reason Joseph and Mary had to leave Nazareth and travel a long distance down to Bethlehem during the days of Caesar's taxation was because Bethlehem was the town of their ancestry. It was the city of David. This is an important aspect of Bethlehem's significance as the birthplace of our Savior. And. like David, Jesus Christ was the humble Shepherd who became the anointed King. (55:03) Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:55:03 O Bethlehem - House of Bread (Book of Ruth). Bethlehem was a small town in the shadows of Jerusalem. Yet, it had great significance in the plan of God for redeeming a lost world. It seems God delights in using little things to accomplish His great purposes. In this first in a series of four messages, we go back to the beginnings of the little town of Bethlehem in the Book of Ruth to discover how God provides for His people. (48:51) Sun, 07 Dec 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:48:51 Philippians 4:6-7 - Peace That Keeps. The solution for true and lasting peace offered by the Bible is not built upon government sanctions and military pressures. It emanates out of an inner peace based upon a right relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Instead of us trying to keep the peace it is rather the peace of God that keeps us. It is an internal peace that leads to external peace. When our prayers are bathed in a spirit of thanksgiving for God's mercy and grace, we become the recipients of God's perfect peace. (29:31) Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:29:31 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 8 - Power for Change: Christian Living. (51:37) Sun, 23 Nov 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:51:37 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 7 - Power for Change: Salvation. (59:39) Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:59:39 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 6 - Godliness and Gospel. Reaching the 21st century culture - the world sees Christ through us. An experience of great contrast: the godly suffering and the ungodly prospering. (56:59) Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:56:59 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 5 - Life in Focus. The world is a wreck and people will not listen to the answers in the Word of God. Christians can get their attention by living an example of godly conduct - willing to serve... willing to sacrifice... willing to suffer. (66:28) Sun, 02 Nov 2008 07:07:07 EDT 01:06:28 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 4 - A Society in Confusion. The decadence of a society can be seen in the perplexity of its women. (54:58) Sun, 26 Oct 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:54:58 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 3 - The Counter Morality, Part 2. The removal of God's moral restraints leads to conflict and confusion, resulting in animalism and inhumanism. (59:14) Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:59:14 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 2 - The Counter Morality, Part 1. The removal of God's moral restraints leads to conflict and confusion, resulting in animalism and inhumanism. (57:33) Sun, 12 Oct 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:57:33 2 Timothy 3 - When the World Needs an Answer - The Struggle for Truth in the Last Days, Lesson 1 - A Matter of Choice. Peril or Power - troubling times. The peril of our age. The problem of our age. (59:50) Sun, 05 Oct 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:59:50 What do Catholics believe compared to evangelical Christians? There are many common areas of heritage and faith. Catholics believe in the deity of Jesus Christ and the authority of scripture, but the Roman Catholic church has added many of their own traditions. (62:41) Sun, 28 Sep 2008 07:07:07 EDT 01:02:41 In the mid 19th century there was a period of about 60 years in which most of the major sects and cults had their beginning. How does a Christian differentiate between a sect and a cult? Is Seventh-Day Adventism a sect or a cult? (63:21) Sun, 21 Sep 2008 07:07:07 EDT 01:03:21 Luke 23:46 - When compared to the two thieves, there were a number of uniquenesses in the death of Christ. He died sooner than they did. The legs of the thieves were broken in order to hasten their death, but the legs of Jesus were not broken because He was already dead. Not only was His death sooner - it was deliberate. Not that He killed Himself, but that He was in control of the timing of His death. In His last statement on the cross, our Savior engaged the last enemy, death, and emerged victorious by His resurrection from the dead. (30:52) Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:30:52 John 19:30 - One of the last words Jesus uttered while on the cross was, in the Greek, tetelestai - translated It Is Finished. It Is Finished was not the desparing cry of a helpless martyr... not the last gasp of a worn out life... not the expression of relief from human suffering - but the declaration by the divine redeemer that all was now done in procuring eternal life for a sinful world. (31:03) Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:31:03 Matthew 27:45-54 - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying... (30:36) Sun, 31 Aug 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:30:36 John 19:25-27 - When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he spoke a third utterance providing for both of their needs. (23:07) Sun, 24 Aug 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:23:07 Luke 23:39-43 - Jesus was crucified between two thieves - both helpless sinners unable to save themselves. His second utterance gives salvation to the thief who appealed to Him. (37:06) Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:37:06 Luke 23:34 - The last words of Jesus Christ are recorded in Luke 23 as He was hanging on the cross. His first utterance is a prayer asking the Father to forgive those who were crucifying him. (27:46) Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:27:46 John 19:38-42 - Through the death of Jesus Christ we are liberated from personal bondage - as illustrated by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. (24:19) Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:24:19 John 19:31 - God in His providence, overrules in the affairs of men. (31:00) Sun, 27 Jul 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:31:00 John 19:16-22 - God has often used the mockery of sinners to proclaim the truth and to glorify His name. That was the case with Caiaphas, the high priest, when he spoke conniving words of evil in John 11:50 ...it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people. He meant that the death of Jesus would appease the Roman Empire and would put the rest of them in good favor with Pilate. However, he did not realize that he was actually speaking the truth of God that Jesus would die for the sins of His people. It was the same with the mocking words of Pilate attached to the cross. Pilate was simply taunting the Jews with the ludicrous idea that this Jesus was the King of the Jews, but what he wrote was true and in writing it he fulfilled the purpose of God. It was the King of the Jews who was laying down His life for the people. Jesus our Savior was a King Among Thieves for us. (33:38) Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:33:38 John 19:1-7 - It is a punishable offense to impersonate a law enforcement officer. If you are not an officer of the law, it is wrong to wear the uniform, it is wrong to wear the badge. In the spiritual realm, this is the charge brought against us in the court of God. It is a capital offense in the laws of God to claim to be king of our own lives and god of our own destinies when we are not. Yet that is what all of us persist in doing. Jesus looked ridiculous wearing a crown of thorns and a faded military robe - but, the point is, He was our substitute, taking our place. How ridiculous we look pretending to be a king when we are not. And for this, Jesus was put to death - in our place. Jesus Christ, our Saviour, the true King, bore the mockery and death deserved by us, the false king. (33:52) Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:33:52 John 4:27-42 - Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work... This account of Jesus and the woman of Samaria illustrates the sharp contrast between temporal and eternal perspectives. (33:21) Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:33:21 Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. But happy is he who keeps the law. (35:11) Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:35:11 Luke 16:19-31 - Lessons from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. (40:58) Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:40:58 Matthew 1-2 - Joseph of Nazareth was a simple, blue-collar worker who lived in a decadent society. Yet he found strength in God and became a man of integrity that provides us with a great example for Christian men and fathers. (40:56) Sun, 15 Jun 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:40:56 Luke 10:25-37 - The parable of the good Samaritan - the setting and the story. (44:14) Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:44:14 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 - I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. (43:45) Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:43:45 John 8:31-36 - It is one thing to declare freedom... it is another thing to win freedom. We are not always free when we think we are free. What is freedom? How can I understand what it means to be free? How can I experience true freedom and liberty? (43:13) Sun, 25 May 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:43:13 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 - God wants us to abound in the grace of giving. All of life is a stewardship and one day we will give an account of our investments. That stewardship is a personal matter between you and God. (43:06) Sun, 18 May 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:43:06 Luke 1:26-48 - The characteristics of a godly mother are exhibited in the life of Mary. (46:12) Sun, 11 May 2008 07:07:07 EDT 00:46:12