Word of Life Church Podcast

Paul at the Areopagus, Hill of Ares, Mars Hill, War Hill, or we might say Paul at the Pentagon. What did Paul preach while quoting two pagan poets? He preached Jesus, the resurrection, the necessity of repentance, and the coming day of judgment.

Jesus begins his farewell discourse with these words: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God.” As we face the troubles of life with honesty, Jesus calls his church to live as an expression of resurrection—bringing hope in the midst of a troubled world.

Jesus reveals himself as a good shepherd who came to give us a rich and satisfying life. He said that he was not like the thieves and robbers who came before him, referring to false Messiahs like Simon of Perea, Athronges, and Judas the Galilliean. They came to steal, kill, and destroy. The good news is that Jesus is not the destroyer. Jesus is the savior! He has come to save you from that which will steal your purpose, kill your hope, and destroy any attempts at a good life. We are those who say yes to Jesus, today and every day, and experience the good life.

We are all born a long way from home. Home is not where we begin; home is where we need to go. More than ever we are searching for home. Strangely, the home for which we yearn is in another world. This other world, this unseen world, this spiritual world is commonly called heaven. Thus we live here, as Peter says, in exile.