Real Talk

Real Talk with Roderick Cut to the Heart (Acts 2:14-39) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Above the sound of the ecstatic utterances Peter has heard the marveling and mocking of the men who have come to investigate (Acts 2:12-13). Standing with the other eleven apostles Peter begins to deliver a message where he will explain the sign, expand his sermon to focus on the Son of David, and exhort the hearers toward salvation through faith in Jesus. There is a boldness in him as he raises his voice (Acts 2:14). But it is not based in the type of arrogance that moves a self-absorbed man to speak because he feels self-entitled to the attention of other men. It is not an arrogance but a confidence in Christ and an outworking of a commitment to fulfill the commission.  The years of being mentored, the time spent prayin

Real Talk with Roderick I've Got the Power (Acts 2:5-13)   (Acts 2:5-6) 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. The sound of Jesus' disciples declaring the wonderful works of God cannot be ignored (Acts 2:5-6,11). When His followers had been baptized with the Holy Spirit they began, as led and enabled by the Spirit, to speak in other tongues - and not too quietly. When the devout Jewish men from every nation under heaven hear their excited voices they respond by going to investigate.    As the curious multitude begins arriving on the scene where the sound is coming from it is a bit much to take in. A crowd that has come looking for answers gets something else: confusion. Why? This scene does not make sense. Imagine it. Regardless of where you are from you hear people in this group exalting God in your native tongue. And this is

Matthew 15:21-28 21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” 24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Real Talk with Roderick Moving On (Acts 1:15-26) Between the ascension of the Lord (Acts 1:9) and the arrival of the aforementioned Anointing (Acts 1:5,8; 2:1-4) there is a period referred to as those days (ταῖς ἡμέραις - Acts 1:15). It was during those days that the disciples of Jesus spent their time together in prayer and supplication in an upper room (Acts 1:14). At some point in the mean of that while Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples1 to address an issue: Judas is gone. Peter's description of the that state of affairs is interesting. Rather than starting with the negative fact that Judas was no longer in their number he begins with the positive - Scripture had to be fulfilled (ἔδει πληρωθῆναι τὴν γραφὴν). Does it matter? Certainly! It is the difference between seeing first the problem and seeing first the hand of Providence. It is the difference between focusing on Judas' failure and focusing on Scripture's fulfillment. Some people naturally look at a situation and become overwhelmed by the s

Real Talk with Roderick While We Wait (Acts 1:9-14) Obey (Acts 1:9-11) His final words are the "these things" (ταῦτα εἰπὼν) from Acts 1:4-8. Among these things are two commands: (1) wait for baptism (Acts 1:4) and then (2) be witnesses (Acts 1:8). Regarding the latter, God's goal of having witnesses for Himself is ancient (Deuteronomy 4:6; 30:19); even Creation is called to serve Him in this capacity (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:19-20). If there is no one ready to raise their voice to declare God's goodness the stones under our feet are ready to do the job (Habakkuk 2:11; Luke 19:40). It was to this great work that Israel was called out from among all peoples - to bear witness to the nations. But where Israel failed to fulfill this calling the Son of God succeeded (Luke 4:16-19). And those that become His disciples take up His work by becoming His witnesses. When describing the ongoing witnessing mission in the work of Jesus and the life of His disciples FF Bruce says it well:  The close relation between God’s cal

Real Talk with Roderick New Work   Could I get anybody to make that sound that you make before you spit? You know Jesus he spits. And it's in today's lesson.  Listen in on this Real Talk to learn about the new work.     In His grip by His grace  Roderick

Real Talk with Roderick Reaching the Reachers   I got a question for you. Who did Jesus come for? For all of us? Let's take a moment at look at Matthew 9. Listen in on this Real Talk to learn about reaching the reachers.   In His grip by His grace  Roderick

Indispensable Preparation (Acts 1:1-2) Before presenting more history to Theophilus (meaning: dear to God) Luke speaks summarily about his previous writings. He tells his recipient that the former account is to be regarded as a comprehensive (πάντων) record of Jesus' works and words (Acts 1:1). Modern readers have come to know that prior work as The Gospel According to Luke. That record stops at the point when Jesus, having given his disciples a work for insight and a word of instruction, was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51): * A Work for Insight: His Teaching and His Touch (Luke 24:44-48) - It is imperative that these men, soon to become the leadership for His church, understand the faith they will promote. How else will they be able to teach others (Matthew 28 :18-20)? And so Jesus teaches onthe history of His ministry, the violence that had recently transpired, and now His own resurrection from the dead. The things that have happened are all to be seen as fulfilling prophecies presented in the Law of Mose

The How of Spirit Filling (Ephesians 5:15-21)     Introduction Darlene, the boys, and I were walking a paved path in Walker Ranch Heritage Park. The boys were small and were either being pushed in a stroller, or were trying to learn to ride their bikes. Roderick Jr. had learned the basics and was enjoying a good time riding near the family on the trail. Caleb, being about two years younger than Roderick Jr., was still working to comprehend and apply the basics of bicycling; things like braking were not readily appreciated and thus not practiced. Stopping was usually more of an event than a decision. Although his bike was equipped with everything required for a safe biking experience, because he did not readily understand the fundamentals, his time in the park that day was nothing less than scary. The path we were on was a circuit. As we came around the trail there was a decline toward a turn that would need to be negotiated by anyone wanting to stay on the path. As Roderick and Caleb met the decline for the f

He Ain't Here - Part 1 (John 20:1-2) It is early Sunday morning and in the cover of darkness heartbroken women are going to the tomb of their recently fallen Rabbi, their former Leader, and the One they believed to be Messiah in order to show genuine if not effective kindness (Mark 16:1; Matthew 28:1). Only a few days earlier these devoted followers had watched their innocent Jesus vilified by His enemies, suffering with the results of a scourging that had taken chunks of flesh away from His back, and then crucified before their eyes. And then they saw and heard His pain as He hung on a cross in shame crying out to His Father about being forsaken (Psalm 22:1; Mark 15:34). Finally they saw His body buried (Luke 23:52-55); they were eyewitness to the place of Jesus burial and thus they know exactly where to find it even in the darkness of dawn (John 19:39-40). Their plan is to anoint His bloodied, broken, and now decaying body with an offsetting aromatic collection of spices. Why are they doing this? Jesus' bod

Real Talk - When Diplomcay Fails  Nehemiah 13  At one point Nehemiah becomes unglued and decides that diplomcay is no longer an option.   Listen in on this Real Talk to learn about when diplomacy fails.

Question: How does what Jesus knows affect his behavior? The knowledge of where he had come from and where he was going permeated Jesus’ thinking. Out of this mindset he was able to minister from the strength of a confidence in his relationship with God. Knowing that all things had been given into His hand and could not be taken away He ministers from a pure motive of love. When we are unsure of our relationship with God we cannot serve with pure motives. Rather than give out of gratitude or serve out of love we attempt to compensate for our failing. I preach not to be saved but rather because I am saved. Question: What misconception does Peter have concerning leadership? In Peter’s view, the outspoken representative of the motley crew of followers, the Lord is to be served. It is an offense to think that any Jew, much less the chosen one of God, would stoop to perform a duty that would normally be carried out only by slaves or by women of ill repute. The Lord’s example counters the wrong view of Peter wit

Real Talk with Roderick Don't Look Back       In His grip by His grace   Roderick    

Real Talk with Roderick Barnes  Now and Later   --- The Gospel According to John Chapter 1 Verses 40 through 42 --- 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first foundhis own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).  When the Lord is introduced to Simon, the fishermen, it is indicated that the invitation and that the invited men are all a part of a plan. What initially looks like human initiative on the part of Andrew is eventually revealed to be heavens idea. Upon seeing the fishermen Jesus declares who Simon is and the now of that moment and who he will be later. And that now he's Simon the fishermen son of Jonah. That's not a particularly impressive summary. But, on a more personal level it convays the Lords knowledge of men. Apart fr

Real Talk with Roderick BarnesLet Them ComeWe can be certain that God is pleased when the whole family attends church together. Family is His idea and church is His idea for helping families with the difficulty of living honorable lives in the midst of ever increasing evil. But sometimes, for various reasons, the parents are not ready to go to church. (There are no good excuses but that is beside the point of this post.) Whatever the reasons are that keep Mom and Dad at home or out of fellowship with their local church... it should not cause the children to miss out.Bring those kids to a place where they can learn about the abundant life that comes with knowing Jesus. That is His will! Eventually the kids, living with a fallen nature in a fallen world, will realize their need for a Savior; even out-of-church-for-a-while parents can serve God by helping their children get to a place where people are glad to tell them about Jesus. It would be better if you went with your little ones. But until that day... let t

Real Talk with Roderick BarnesHaving His JoyThe genuine thrill of the soul is found not in having every desire but in doing the will of God... come what may. It was this joy that Jesus referred to in His conversation with the disciples (John 15:10-12). It was His as He served His Father faithfully. And it was His as He offered Himself sacrificially for the glory of His Father and the good of His flock. The joy of Jesus lifted Him when the world was trying to drag Him down. It kept Him going when going meant pain. And He wanted you and I to have it as we follow Him. His joy is ours for the keeping of His commandments.This is a hard saying and some will not accept it. But where eternal life is unlocked by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, the joy thereof is loosed in faithfulness. We enter life through trust in Christ; that is once and for all. But we enter His joy over and over again as we endeavor to do His will.Do you have His joy? You can. Trust Him for the saving of your soul through His w

Real Talk with RoderickGot What You Need?We are always on the hunt for more stuff? Sweaters, shoes, the latest cell phone, cars, a romantic relationship, popularity, more power in the office, and chocolate. Sometimes the effort is so intense that we lose sight of whether or not we can afford, keep, or maintain the stuff we want if or when we get it. We just want it.But do we have what we need? There is nothing wrong with having a nice car, a nice house, a nice job, and a nice spouse. But if you had all of that stuff and did not have peace with God you still would not be happy. More than anything else we need forgiveness, friends, and fellowship with our heavenly Father. And it is God's desire that we have those things... through Jesus.Today is a great day to get what you really need most. How? Ironically it begins with giving. You and I get what we need most when we place our faith in Jesus. This means making a decision to follow and learn from Him daily. What comes with that? I won't lie to you; it comes wit

Real Talk with Roderickbeen missin' yoUThe church is usually regarded as a building. Stain glass windows, a raised pulpit, a piano and organ, and old pews. Or maybe a cool auditorium with high tech sound, huge flat screens, and a great coffee shop in the foyer. Things like this come to mind when people are invited to go to church. But church has almost nothing to do with the location.The Church is a group of people, in all of their many faults, that have committed to following Jesus and helping each other do the same. Where they meet is irrelevant. What matters is that they meet to encourage one another in the difficulties of this life, to hear the true words of the Bible in order to stir them up to do the hard stuff, and to give thanks for the many blessings that God has given. You could do that alone? Not really. God has designed us for Himself and to serve one another. We are quite capable of giving thanks by ourselves. But what kind of Jesus follower is content to stay home and not serve in the local fell