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 2012 A Word from the Word Sun, 08 Apr 2012 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 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, 08 Apr 2012 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, 01 Apr 2012 07:07:07 EDT 00:44:49 Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year for enjoying family and friends. As a National Holiday, it calls us as Americans to reflect on the blessings we have received from God. In the midst of the ambience of cornstalks and pumpkins, of turkeys and cornucopias, of parades and football games, we simply enjoy one another and celebrate our abundance. As with other holidays, however, it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and to forget to truly thank God for His abundant love and grace which He has given to us in Christ Jesus. Also, we sometimes forget that a thankful spirit to the Lord is intended by God to be based on something far deeper than the temporal benefits of life. His providential care, even in the hardest of circumstances and in the worst of times, is a cause for perpetual celebration by the people of God. In fact 1 Thessalonians 5:18 seems to indicate that anytime we are not thankful to God for whatever He is allowing to happen in our lives, we are out of the will of God. This is a tall order, to be sure - but God is faithful to His people and for that we can always be thankful. (42:30) Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:07:07 EDT 00:42:30 What we believe concerning the person of Jesus Christ is pivotal to saving faith. When you understand WHO He is, then you can begin to comprehend and appreciate WHAT He has done for you. (43:05) Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:07:07 EDT 00:43:05 When Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb she was down on empty. She said, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him. The Apostle John, on the other hand, had a different reaction to the empty tomb. When he stepped into the tomb and saw the linen wrappings and face-cloth, it says that he saw, and believed. John was UP ON EMPTY. In this message from John 20:1-10, we look into the empty tomb to learn how we also can be up on empty. (40:23) Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:07:07 EDT 00:40:23 Palm Sunday is our traditional day for celebrating the triumphal entry of Christ into Jerulaem. On that day, Jesus was offering Himself to the nation of Israel as their King in fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy. Anticipating the rejection of their King, Zechariah made another prediction - that Jesus, The Messiah, would come again and descend from the Mount of Olives. John tells us that on that occasion, He will be riding a great white war horse instead of a lowly donkey. (31:34) Sun, 17 Apr 2011 07:07:07 EDT 00:31:34 In the Fullness of Time - Part 4. Our perspective of time versus God's perspective of time. (41:44) Sun, 26 Dec 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:41:44 In the Fullness of Time - Part 3. Mary's miraculous virgin conception is one of the most wonderful stories in the Bible. It begins with an amazing conversation between a young Jewish girl living in Nazareth and an angel who has come directly from the presence of God. Gabriel tells Mary that the Holy Spirit will conceive a seed in her womb apart from any intimate experience with a man and Mary immediately humbles herself to accept this miracle from God - even though it will be misunderstood by others. (31:12) Sun, 19 Dec 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:32:12 In the Fullness of Time - Part 2. Luke begins his Gospel by telling us of the special conception of John in Elizabeth's womb and then of the virgin conception of Jesus, six months later, in the womb of Mary. After describing the birth of John, Luke then introduces the birth of Jesus six months later. Immediately following these accounts, Luke then jumps to the ministry of John as the one who prepared the way for the ministry of Jesus. In all of this there is a pattern of lead time that, in a special way, exhibits the mercy of God. God was not only preparing the way for Jesus, He was also giving an opportunity to the people to prepare themselves for the coming of Christ. (51:39) Sun, 12 Dec 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:51:39 In the Fullness of Time - Part 1. God is always on time. There is no such thing as early or late with Him. His sovereign plan of the ages is finely tuned and everything He has ordained occurs on schedule. The Gospel of Luke is unique as it begins by intertwining the conception and birth of John the Baptist with the virgin conception of Mary. Luke was a careful historian and knew the importance of that connection. The birth of Christ is indeed a study in DIVINE CLOCKWORK. (43:19) Sun, 05 Dec 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:43:19 Joshua 22 confronts us with a challenge to unity, followed by Joshua's farewell in the final two chapters, one looking at the future and one looking at the past. It is a tremendous conclusion to this book of conquest and division. (56:05) Sun, 19 Sep 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:56:05 Cities of Refuge and Cities of the Levites. (51:10) Sun, 05 Sep 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:51:10 Victory is a wonderful word. We sing about it and talk about it, but how can you actually live a victorious Christian life? The answer is found in a five letter word: Faith. That is the big word we find emphasized in the book of Joshua. They were willing to take God at His Word and they were victorious. (49:29) Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:49:29 Joshua chapter five concludes the section on Preparation, then the conquest of Jericho is recorded in chapter six, followed by the failure of Achin, and then the final conquest of Ai. (46:45) Sun, 08 Aug 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:46:45 God is merciful to us. We are saved of the basis of the mercy of God. He will forgive us of our sins and take us unto Himself so we can enjoy Him as our God. Mercy is God not holding us accountable for our sins. The message of God's mercy is beautifully illustrated in Joshua Chapter 2. (44:40) Sun, 25 Jul 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:44:40 Hebrews 3-4 provides insight from the New Testamant on the book of Joshua. Is it a picture of salvation or santification? Then, Joshua chapter 1 begins with the death of Moses, the beginnings of Joshua's command, and God's instruction to possess the land and obey the Book. (49:20) Sun, 11 Jul 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:49:20 Joshua was prepared by God for what he was going to do. Preparation is sometimes minimized in our world, but God often maximizes it. It is better to be prepared and have quality opportunity for a short time than to be unprepared and drizzling opportunity that doesn't amount to much over a long period of time. God puts emphasis on and rewards preparation. (46:36) Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:46:36 Easter, like Christmas, is a religious paradox. On the one hand, it is a Christian celebration with great biblical meaning - the birth of Christ at Christmas and the resurrection of Christ at Easter. But on the other hand, it is a pagan holiday with heathen origins and with significant mythological connections. As a result of this paradox, many Christians feel like they are on the horns of a dilemma. Since it has heathen connections, they reason, should we as Christians celebrate the holiday? (33:35) Sun, 04 Apr 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:33:35 Name Above All Names, Part 7. Peace is perhaps the most elusive quality of life in our world. American soldiers are still in Iraq and Afghanistan and our vessels of war continue to cruise the Gulf. On a personal level it is no better. Psychiatrists are busy and drug companies are prospering as people run from counselor to counselor and pop uppers and downers in search of some relief for their anxiety. Pursuing peace is like chasing shadows and grabbing sun beams - it is a mirage on the horizon of life that doesn't deliver. Yet, the Bible assures us that there is indeed perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3) for those who come to Christ - for He is the Prince of Peace. (44:19) Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:07:07 EDT 00:44:19 Heir to Earth's Fortune - Isaiah 53:12. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors. (31:32) Sun, 16 Aug 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:31:32 The Pleasure of the Lord - Isaiah 53:10. Understanding the purpose of God in the death of Christ. (24:02) Sun, 09 Aug 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:24:02 In the Hands of God - Isaiah 53:8-9. From man's viewpoint, the future is uncertain and turbulent times seem to be ahead. Yet, the Bible does not encourage us to be pessimists, but rather to commit our lives to a faithful God in quiet confidence regardless of what may come. Jesus is our Savior from a sinful world and He is also our example of how to live in a sinful world. He didn't strike back at the sufferings of life with revilings and threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. (28:33) Sun, 02 Aug 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:28:33 Healing in the Atonement - Isaiah 53:4. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (29:45) Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:29:45 The Refusal - Isaiah 53:3. Rejection is a terrible thing - especially when it is undeserved. Yet, that is what happened to our Lord when He presented Himself as the Savior of the world. The people of that day refused to acknowledge Him as the rightful Messiah, largely because He didn't fit their expectation. They were looking for a powerful and attractive Deliverer, not a meek and lowly Savior - so, they refused to accept the One whom God had sent. (27:50) Sun, 19 Jul 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:27:50 A Despised Deliverer - Isaiah 53:1-2. Why was Jesus rejected? Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied the hostile reaction to the One who would be sent as the Deliverer. (25:29) Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:07:07 EDT 00:25:29 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 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 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