Proclaiming Christ

Ephesians 1:11–14 — The Believer’s Inheritance

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

In Eph 1:11–14 the Apostle Paul describes the glorious heavenly inheritance of the Christian. He seeks to encourage the Ephesian Christians—many of whom had given up earthly glory—by reminding them of an even greater glory in Christ. May Paul’s words be a wonderful encouragement to the church today!

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale

Genesis 31:22–55 — Jacob’s Covenant with Laban

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000

The narrative portions of Scripture serve to highlight the paradigm established by Genesis 3:15. In the story of Jacob and Laban we see primarily not a conflict between two human beings but a conflict between the one true God and the gods of Laban. Laban’s gods are helpless and put to shame. Jacob’s God fulfills his covenant and provides a redeemer to cleanse Jacob—and us—from sin.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Psalm 1 — The Blessed Man

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0000

We embark on a study through a new book—Psalms. Jim Cassidy provides some important interpretive principles which he illustrates through a consideration of Psalm 1. Written for Israel, a nation under a theocracy, how do the Psalms manifest Christ, and how are they applicable to us today? How may it be said that the Christian today will prosper?

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Matthew 3:13–17 — To Fulfill All Righteousness

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

The baptism of Jesus is a pivotal event in the life of Christ and in all of redemptive history. In this episode, we explore its significance, seek to answer the question of why Jesus would need to undergo a baptism of repentance, and examine some of the thematic elements of his baptism.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 31:1–21 — Jacob Makes His Escape

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Jacob exhibits his faith as he responds in obedience to the Lord’s command to return to the land of his fathers. He had made a vow before the Lord, and the Lord now calls upon him to keep his vows. In this episode we see an appearance of “the angel of God,” who points Jacob — and us — to a greater inheritance than land or riches, but the inheritance of “the God of Bethel” — redemption from sin and reconciliation with God.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 14 — Turn Around

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Repentance today is a byword. It conjures up images of a religious fanatic standing on a street corner with a cheap megaphone that more obscures the sound than amplifies it. But the call to repentance is divine grace. In this final chapter of Hosea, the Lord calls Israel to return to him. What a gift this is! God’s arms remain wide open. He will take away their iniquity, he will accept a sacrifice for their sins, he will heal their apostasy, he will love them freely, and make his people to reside under his shadow and to flourish. All this he does in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son. So we return to God through Christ, for he has made a way for us to be accepted by the Father.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Matthew 3:1–12 — A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000

In this episode we see how John, the last prophet of the Old Covenant, transitions us to the New Covenant era by announcing the arrival of the LORD in the person of Jesus Christ. The focus of the passage is not on the uniqueness of John the Baptist, but the uniqueness of the one toward whom he points.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 13 — The Dead Son Lives

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:00:00 +0000

Hosea 13 contains mostly words of rebuke and condemnation. But there is good news there as well. The Lord rebukes his son, Israel, whom he called out of Egypt, for the sin of covenantal faithlessness. They have gone after other gods. So thorough will God’s coming judgment be that it is likened to death. But he also offers a word of hope which contains the promise of life, as death itself will be defeated.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Matthew 2:13–23 — The Exodus of the Son of God

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 04:00:00 +0000

We look at the significance of a trio of prophecies: the flight to Egypt, Jeremiah’s prophecy of the weeping of Rachel, and that “he would be called a Nazarene.” Matthew identifies Jesus with us, so that we might identify with him. The glorious king is not what many expected, and his kingdom does not look the way many expect.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Ephesians 1:9, 10 — The Uniting of Heaven and Earth

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 04:00:00 +0000

What does Paul mean when he says that all things in heaven and earth will be united in Christ? The apostle moves from what Christ did on the cross for his people — to look at the place of the cross in all of history. Robert Arendale and Mark Winder look at the concept of mystery, the language of “things in heaven and things on earth,” and the culmination of this text — the uniting of these things.

Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale

Ephesians 1:7–8 — Redeemed by the Blood

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000

Redemption is the work of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Pauline trinitarian emphasis is something that may be somewhat lacking in modern preaching, but is essential in understanding the unique work of each of the three persons. With this trinitarian emphasis Robert Arendale takes a look at the need, the cost, and the blessing of redemption.

Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale

Hosea 12 — The Lord’s Indictment

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 05:00:00 +0000

The Lord pronounces an indictment upon Israel and convicts her of her sins. He also calls her to repentance and to return to him. The coming judgment in exile reminds of Christ who was exile in death for us, that in him we might have life and restoration in the heavenly promised land.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 30:25–43 — God Gives the Increase

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 05:00:00 +0000

How do you preach a passage as speckled and mottled as this one? We look at a text that at first glance has nothing to say about Christ and see how through the continuity of God’s covenant promises we are presented with a foreshadowing of Christ plundering Satan’s house, and through death destroying the one who had the power of death.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 11 — Out of Egypt

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Hosea prophesied that God would call his son out of Egypt. Of course, that was long after the Exodus. But here in Chapter 11 the Exodus serves as a motif for God’s redeeming grace. It recalled the Exodus as a foreshadow of Israel’s restoration from exile. Unfortunately, the restoration fell short of the great expectation Israel had for the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs. The day when God called his Son out of Egypt would ultimately arrive in Christ, the true Son and faithful Israel of God. He was called out of Egypt after he fled there to escape Herod’s deadly grasp. And so we, in our union with Christ, are sons of the living God who have been redeemed and called out of the Kingdom of Darkness into the Kingdom of his Son.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

1 Corinthians 3:10–17 — The Church as God’s Temple

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a building to describe the people of God. What is the significance of this metaphor, and what are the implications of that, particularly for ministers of the word? We also discuss how to choose a pericope and how much exegetical detail is appropriate in a sermon.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

Ephesians 1:4–6 — Chosen in Christ

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 04:00:00 +0000

What does it mean to be predestined, and to what end does God predestine his people? Robert Arendale joins us again in an exposition of this important passage, including a discussion exploring what part polemics play in a sermon.

Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale

Genesis 29:19-30:24 – Human Deception; Divine Operation

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 04:00:00 +0000

This section of Genesis showcases an alarming lack of dependence upon God, which results in deception and contention in Jacob’s family. Here we see the foundation laid for much of the conflict of the following chapters, as well as the introduction of Joseph whose story will be the subject of the last third of Genesis. In spite of Jacob’s foolishness, God will take this dysfunctional family in forming people for himself.

Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale

Ephesians 1:1–3 — Welcome to Ephesus

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 04:00:00 +0000

The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus to remind them of the “unsearchable riches” of Christ (3:8). That is, he writes to remind the Christians living in that metropolitan port city, awash in paganism, of the heavenly blessings that belong to them in Christ (1:3). A few years prior to his writing the letter to the Ephesians, Paul had labored in the city for almost three years. God in his grace blessed Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, and many sinners repented and turned to Christ (Acts 19:1-20). Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a rich treasure of Christ-exalting truth. In Christ the age to come has exploded into this present evil age; and by means of the Holy Spirit, the exalted Christ is building his church composed of both Jew and Gentile who have been reconciled unto God and unto one another. As we, like the Ephesians, revel in the blessings of our union with Christ, we are called to ‘live a life worthy of the calling we have received’ (4:1). We are called to walk by faith in a manner befitting our status as saints in Christ (1:1). Join us as we introduce the glorious letter of the Apostle Paul.

Participants: Mark A. Winder, Robert Arendale

Genesis 29:1–18 — Seeking His Bride

Proclaiming Christ — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 22:30:37 +0000

Jacob’s search for a bride parallels two other searches, all of which point us to Christ who offers the water of life and becomes a servant to secure his bride. We therefore must become servants of Christ that as his bride we might receive the water of life.

Participants: Mark A. Winder

Hosea 10 – The Fruitful Vine

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 26 May 2021 04:00:00 +0000

In Hosea 10 the prophet likens Israel to a vineyard and and garden – but not a very fruitful one. In fact, her covenants with the nations has given rise to terrible idolatry, which is spiritual adultery. She is faithless and therefore fruitless. But the judgment and curse God pronounced upon her would not finally fall upon her, but on him who is the true vine. And now as branches in that vine, we have redemption and the grace to bear good fruit.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 28:10–22 — God’s Ladder

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 04:00:00 +0000

Occasionally the New Testament provides a direct connection to the words of the Old, pointing like a bright beacon to the person of Christ. We find that is the case as we look at the story of God’s ladder from Genesis 28. Angels ascend the ladder with a message for God from Jacob and descend from heaven with a message from God for Jacob.

Participants: Mark A. Winder

Genesis 27:41–28:9 — The Departure of Jacob

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Although Jacob and Esau both show themselves unworthy to inherit the covenant promises, we see, through two theological paradigms—the offspring and the land—that God Almighty will lead his people to the land of promise.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

Matthew 2:1–12 — The Visit of the Magi

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Matthew’s account of the visit of the Magi is not exactly the story as we know it from our cultural Christmas traditions. The response of these wisemen to the birth of Jesus is what the response of Herod should have been, and what our response should be, namely, worship.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Matthew 1:18–25 — The Birth of Jesus

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

In today’s episode we look at Matthew’s account of the genesis of Jesus. In this account of his birth story Matthew draws our attention to the particular perspective of Joseph, the comforting message of the angel, the wonder of the virgin birth, the glory of the Immanuel promise, and the significance of the name of Jesus as the one who saves his people from their sins.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 9 — Elect Exiles

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Hosea ministers in Israel between the time of the conquest of Canaan and the exile. In chapter nine of his prophecy, he tells of the coming judgment-exile of Israel into the land of the uncircumcised. But there is hope! God will preserve a remnant—elect exiles—for his own glory and as his chosen portion. For Christ was exiled in his death because of our sins, so that we who were once far off may be brought near by the blood. And now, in Christ, we are elect exiles called to conduct ourselves honorably in the midst of wicked and perverse generation.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 27:1–40 — To Steal a Blessing

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 05:00:33 +0000

Esau has been disqualified to receive the covenant blessing, but Isaac intends to give it to him anyway. In fact, none of the four characters in this chapter is painted in a good light. As Jacob and Rebecca plot to steal the blessing, it becomes clear that the blessing may only come through the work of God himself—and we are pointed to the promised covenant Son.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

1 Corinthians 3:1–9 — God’s Fellow Workers

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000

Paul once again admonishes the church in Corinth over its division into rival parties with some following Paul, and other Apollos. Paul rebukes them because this behavior is of the flesh and they have elevated the minister of the gospel to an unwarranted and unbiblical position. Ministers are but servants used as instruments in the hands of God and they are fellow workers under God.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 — Spiritual Wisdom

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000

In this passage, the Apostle Paul highlights the role of the Holy Spirit as the revealer and illuminator of the wisdom of God, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That divine wisdom was eternally decreed by God before the foundation of the world and is now revealed by the Spirit through the preaching of the gospel.

Genesis 26:23–25 — God Alone Gives Peace

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000

In Genesis 26, God confirms the covenant promise to Isaac—the heart of which is “I will be with you.” In this episode, we see how God not only keeps this promise to Isaac in the midst of conflict, but also how he continues to keep this promise to believers today, as we too journey through a hostile land, seeking peace through the gospel as we look to the land of promise where God will dwell with us perfectly.

Participants: Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

Matthew 1:1–18 — The Royal Line of Christ

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 04:00:00 +0000

As the Gospel According to Matthew begins we are introduced to the royal line of Jesus, where Matthew presents Jesus to us as the Davidic king, the universal king, and the final king through whom all of God’s purposes are fulfilled.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 8 — When More Is Less

Proclaiming Christ — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Hosea brings a word of judgment upon Israel, threatening to send them into exile and judgment for their sin. Christ as the true and obedient Israel secures for his people the promised deliverance from sin’s guilt and power. Christ calls us therefore to exclusive fidelity to him.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

The Spirit of Schleiermacher in Preaching

Proclaiming Christ — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 04:00:00 +0000

In an age of skepticism, Fredrich Schleiermacher wanted to cast religion in a manner that would be relevant and respected. In Episode 86 Jim Cassidy and Mark Winder discuss how the father of modern liberal theology continues to manifest an influence in pulpit speech today. Does the drive to make preaching more “relevant” and “practical” today manifest a spirit of Schleiermacher in the pulpit? Is the quality of a sermon determined by its relevancy to our current age?

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 7 — The Love of God and the Stubbornness of Man

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Jim Cassidy shows us how Israel’s folly and sinfulness renders her incapable of obeying God. In order to obey the Lord, she needs the Lord to grant to her the very thing that she herself can not do. Hosea uses striking imagery to show us Israel’s rebellion, but equally striking and parallel imagery to show the Lord’s mercy and provision for redemption.

Exodus 2:11–15 — The Formation of a Savior

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Joel Fick shows us how important it is to bring various passages of Scripture to bear upon one another, particularly where one may fill in the gap for the other. In Exodus 2 we learn how Christ is not a picture of Moses, but rather Moses is a picture of Christ.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 26 — Compromise, Controversy, and Covenant

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Mark Winder shows us how in the story of Isaac which parallels that of Abraham, there is a theological point being made: from a human perspective there is one crisis after another. But from the divine perspective, there is no salvation outside of God. Only his hand will triumph. We will also see how Abraham’s obedience is a type of the obedience of Christ.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 6:4–11 — The Covenant Keeper

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 04:00:36 +0000

Jim Cassidy gives us a primer on covenant theology. As Israel, shaped by the law, becomes an analogy of Adam as Adam is in covenant with God in the garden, a pattern is seen between Adam and Israel. If Adam disobeys, he is exiled from the Garden, as is also the case with Israel. God, however, is the covenant keeper, providing redemption for his people in doing what they are unable to do.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Exodus 2:1–10 — The Birth, Burial, and Resurrection of a Savior

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 20:09:47 +0000

In episode 81, Joel Fick leads us in a study of the birth of Moses. He demonstrates a model of preaching Christ not based upon merely noting a few parallels between an Old Testament character and the life of Christ, but based upon deep theological themes and direct scriptural references.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 6:1–3 — Returning to the Lord

Proclaiming Christ — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 00:29:40 +0000

Knowledge is not an end in itself, it is a means to an end that we might know the new world of God. When we understand that we are citizens of the age to come, it changes everything about how we live our lives in the midst of this present evil age.

Participants: Adam York, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 25:22–34 — A Conflict for the Ages

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 23:02:22 +0000

The conflict between Jacob and Esau serves as a paradigm for the redemptive conflict of the ages. God uses what the world would consider weak to accomplish his plan and demonstrate his power.

Participants: Adam York, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 25:1–21 — Epilogue to Abraham

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 04:00:54 +0000

In Episode 78 the panel discusses how the story of redemption shifts focus from Abraham to his descendants, and particularly to Isaac and Jacob. Employing a covenantal and redemptive-historical hermeneutic becomes important in understanding the significance of this shift and its implication for the inclusion of the Gentiles.

Participants: Adam York, Jim Cassidy, Mark Wind

Genesis 24 — A Bride for Isaac

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 04:00:14 +0000

In this 67-verse chapter we examine some of the patterns and themes in this narrative full of intrigue. We discuss the transition of the covenant promises to Isaac, the providence of God overseeing all of these events, the theme of suspense, and the direct link to the offspring of Isaac and Rebekah.

Participants: Adam York, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 — Jesus Christ and Him Crucified

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 22 May 2019 04:00:55 +0000

Glen Clary examines the matter and manner of Paul’s preaching. There is a crucifixion proclaimed by Paul, but there is also a cruciformity in how he proclaimed it, and to his whole life and ministry.

Participants: Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 5 — The Righteous King: Condemned and Justified

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 15 May 2019 14:56:57 +0000

In Episode 75 we see that because of our sin imputed to Christ, he stood condemned under the wrath of God. But Christ’s resurrection is the Word of Grace—Christ’s vindication. Christ is condemned by the cross, but vindicated by the Spirit.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 23 — The Cave at Machpelah

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 08 May 2019 04:00:57 +0000

In Episode 74 we observe what seems to be an ordinary bartering transaction. But upon closer observation we learn three significant things: Abraham is given a downpayment on the land promise, he anticipates the resurrection, and he lives in peace with those around him.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 22 — Abraham’s Test and God’s Provision, Part Two

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 01 May 2019 04:00:34 +0000

Adam York show us how God is presenting in the life of Isaac a type of the work of the future Messiah, who would come, be offered as a substitute for his people and be raised for them as well. What Abraham receives in type, the believer today has received in substance.

Participants: Adam York, Glen Clary, Mark A. Winder

Exodus 1 — They Made Their Lives Bitter

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 04:00:13 +0000

Joel Fick continues his introduction to the book of Exodus as he explores a fruitful people, a ferocious king, and the faithful God. Exodus shows us how the people of God will suffer with Christ and be delivered by Christ that they might be glorified in Christ.

Participants: Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Exodus 1:1–7 — Introducing Exodus: These Are the Names

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 04:00:28 +0000

In this introductory episode to the book of Exodus, Joel Fick explains how important it is to glance backwards and see what God is doing, even as we look forward in time and see how all of God’s promises are going to be fulfilled.

Participants: Adam York, Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 22 — Abraham’s Test and God’s Provision, Part One

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 04:00:18 +0000

Abraham’s willingness to offer up his son Isaac at God’s command is a remarkable demonstration of obedience. He demonstrates not that he was justified by works, but that the hope of the resurrection fueled his obedience.

Participants: Adam York, Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Genesis 21:22–34 — A Covenant in Beersheba

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 04:00:11 +0000

In this “bookend” text, a remarkable change is seen in Abraham, who demonstrates how a pilgrim is to conduct himself in a foreign land, and how he is identified through his worship.

Participants: Jim Cassidy, Joel Fick, Mark A. Winder

Hosea 4 — Knowledge of the True God

Proclaiming Christ — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 04:00:01 +0000

In Episode 68, Jim Cassidy takes us through Hosea 4, where we see that God is judging his people because of their lack of a knowledge of him. Scripture shows us that the love of God and the knowledge of God are not contrary to one another, but “sweetly comply” with one another.

Participants: Adam York, Glen Clary, Jim Cassidy, Mark A. Winder