Freedom Current Podcast

(Ep 9) The die is cast differently with far-ranging consequence—Certain music is outside the guys’ budget—Brock knows things, and Jeremiah counts to ten—Bible translations are discussed—Religious neurosis is stressful—What is it like to serve a God whose highest desire is mercy? ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read about Jesus, his free and liberal mercy with his disciples, and his confrontation with those who disapprove of such mercy. The conflict comes from religious people who claim to have knowledge but cannot really lay claim to a personal relationship with God. If they could, they would have known what Jesus knew: That God desires mercy over sacrifice, grace over performance. Self-righteous is not unique to any one religion or to religion at all. In fact, self-righteousness creates or becomes it's own religion, exalting the self to the level of arbiter, chooser, law-giver, conscience, and god. Jesus is not intimidated by such false gods; it is grace when he confronts ...

(Ep 8) The guys talk about a conviction they have—Brock steals Jeremiah’s Jeopardy! money—John 3 contains one of the more well-known verses of the Bible, John 3:16, and the guys get excited about it’s context ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read John 3, where Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night, when no one can see. The world around Nic is opposed to Jesus, but Nic is curious. He has an open mind. He wants to hear more. He is not afraid of disagreement or discussion or learning. Jesus encourages him to think more deeply than he is accustomed to thinking and points out that a person cannot change himself, not in the way that will bring him to God. Instead, Jesus notes, a person needs God to change him. Then Jesus talks about how that happens, how you know that happens, and how you can respond to God in faith. This is a story about radical change and the freedom that comes only from God, available to any and all. This is a story about God's love! If you don't have a Bible...

(Ep 7) The guys talk about their hobbies outside the box—Brock coins the phrase “GPS for life”—Jeremiah asks, “Why do we want to give directions?”—The guys consider the problems of judgmentalism and the ease of sliding into it—Brock reminds us all, “God’s not mad at you,” if you are in Christ, so fall on the mercy of Christ—They reflect on Jesus’ words about what really defiles us ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read about washing up from Matthew 15. While some individuals were concerned about ritual hand washing, they never saw that God gave such a ritual as a metaphor, as a way of pointing to regular heart washing, routine conscience examination. Jesus connects the dots for them by noting that hand washing doesn't bring about the spiritual goals they have in mind, closeness with God. Our hearts are far dirtier than our environments, and if we could see with our conscience they way we might see with our eyes, we'd realize that we have some sprucing up to do. The freedom...

(Ep 6) The guys have been recovering from life, so they have a little catching up to do—Jeremiah does his best comment voice—Brock explains coffee’s goodness, the nature of electrocution, and the reality of the Internet—Jeremiah remembers his grandma—The vicious cycle of guilt and pride is analyzed as counter to the freedom current we have with Jesus ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read about the sermons of John the Baptist and the baptism of Jesus from Matthew chapter 3. John offered, commanded, advised repentance, on the authority of God the Holy Spirit, and he said that boasting in ethnicity, lineage, family background or upbringing, etc., is not enough to restore relationship with God. Repentance is actually freely available to any and all. And with repentance comes closeness with God. This is a story about the road to peace with God! If you don't have a Bible to follow along, below is the passage that we are reading: ----- Matthew 3:1-17 (ESV) [1] In those days Jo...

(Ep 5) Our coupla guys do not want to disagree with Jesus, so they adapt—How they discuss the topic of task-orientation vs. people-orientation might surprise ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read two passages from Luke about being anxious. One is a quick episode from Jesus's friendship with sisters Mary and Martha, and the other is an excerpt from some of Jesus's teaching. This is a story about anxiety, but it is also a story about choices. Choose freedom in Christ! If you don't have a Bible to follow along, below is the passage that we are reading: ----- Luke 10:38–42 (ESV) [38] Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. [40] But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” [41]...

(Ep 4) Our theme musician, Brad Adams, is credited with many things—Brock takes a pop quiz—Our “coupla guys” rejoice in repentance being a great opportunity to ride the current of freedom to Jesus ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read another parable of Jesus in which Jesus confronts our tendency to think too highly of ourselves. That amazing thing is that Jesus presents an alternative to disgusting self-righteousness. That alternative is simple humility, calling it like it is about ourselves, calling out to God to find a way not to be mad. And wonderfully, God has not only found a way but designed a way: He would put our sin on Christ's account on the cross and give Christ's righteousness to us. This is a story about pride and humility, self-righteousness and God-given righteousness, works and mercy! If you don't have a Bible to follow along, below is the passage that we are reading: ----- Luke 18:9–14 (ESV) [9] He also told this parable to some who trusted in t...

(Ep 3) Brock counts his ribbons—The spirit of the entrepreneur causes people to jump out of bed—Jeremiah talks about what parables are for—Brock talks about being a dad—Jeremiah discovers some freedom he has ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read Luke 16:1-13 where Jesus tells a story in order to challenge the way people think about the present and their eternal future. In fact, he asks a rhetorical question, wondering why those who have the most to look forward to (those who are putting their hope in God and not themselves) often exercise so little freedom in thinking about present and material things. This is a story about planning ahead and true freedom from materialism to purpose! If you don't have a Bible to follow along, below is the passage that we are reading: ----- Luke 16:1–13 (ESV) [1] He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. [2] And he called him and said ...