Tenth & Broad Church of Christ Podcast

Blessed Assurance: Confession

Sin creates division between us and God, but the gospel restores fellowship through Jesus Christ. God is light without darkness, and we cannot claim fellowship with Him while living in spiritual darkness. Walking in the light means agreeing with God's definition of sin and confessing when His light exposes darkness in our lives. Confession brings healing and restoration, allowing us to experience true fellowship with God and others. The mark of a Christian isn't sinlessness but a willingness to bring sin into the light through regular confession.

Blessed Assurance: Complete Sentences

John's first letter addresses believers disturbed by false prophets, offering them blessed assurance through fundamental truths. He emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus is complete, based on eyewitness testimony, not requiring new additions. John teaches that true fellowship centers entirely on Jesus Christ - we must decide if Christianity is absolutely true or completely false, as there is no middle ground. Finally, he reveals that our joy becomes complete when we share the message of Jesus with others, experiencing a fulfillment that cannot be taken away.

Blessed Assurance: 1st John

In this message on "Blessed Assurance," Ken explores how the Apostle John wrote his first letter to help Christians know with certainty that they have eternal life, addressing the confusion caused by false teachers who had left the church. He outlines three key areas of Christian assurance: knowing the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God, having certainty about your conversion through three tests (believing Jesus is God's Son, walking in the light through moral transformation, and loving fellow believers), and trusting in the security of your salvation even when you fail. Ken emphasizes that true assurance comes not from perfect performance but from humble dependence on Christ, who serves as our advocate when we confess our sins and get back on the path of faith.

Ancient Faith: I Believe in the Resurrection and Life Everlasting

Throughout history, humans have sought immortality, but only God can truly conquer death through Jesus Christ. The Christian belief in bodily resurrection affirms that God created our physical bodies as good and worthy of respect. This stands in contrast to philosophies that view the body as worthless, leading to destructive behaviors. Scripture consistently portrays burial as an act of faith and hope, using the metaphor of a seed planted that will grow into something greater. Our belief in resurrection should impact how we treat our bodies in life and how we approach death, living with the confident hope that through Christ, we will be raised with glorious bodies.

Being a Good Neighbor - MSU Sunday 2025

Jesus challenges our understanding of neighborliness through the parable of the Good Samaritan. While religious leaders passed by a wounded man, a Samaritan - someone from a despised group - showed extraordinary compassion. This story redefines 'neighbor' not by cultural, religious, or ethnic boundaries, but by showing mercy to those in need. As disciples of Christ, we must focus less on who qualifies as our neighbor and more on being the best neighbor to anyone God puts in our path. Like a MASH unit positioned near battlefields, we are called to care for all who come our way, regardless of background.

Ancient Faith: I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins

The Apostles' Creed mentions only one aspect of Christian living: 'the forgiveness of sins,' highlighting its central importance. Sin is attractive and pleasurable, which makes it such a persistent problem in our lives. Society has tried to eliminate guilt by removing rules, but this approach has only led to more chaos and suffering. Psalm 130 teaches that the answer to our sin problem lies not within ourselves but with God. When we humble ourselves, confess our sins, and turn to God, He responds with forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. This forgiveness frees us from guilt and enables us to serve God with reverence.

2025 Back to School Blessing

As the school year begins, there are essential spiritual supplies that can't be found on any store list. Wisdom from God helps students, parents, and teachers navigate relationships and make good choices. Discipline enables balancing academics, activities, and spiritual growth despite initial discomfort. The peace of Christ provides stability during school anxieties and transitions. Community creates connection through being devoted, generous, and welcoming to others. By seeking wisdom daily, building good habits, cultivating inner peace, and investing in relationships, everyone can experience a more meaningful educational journey.

Ancient Faith: I Believe in the Communion of the Saints

Note: An early morning thunderstorm knocked out power to the building so service was led from a small battery powered speaker.
Understanding the Communion of Saints: A Timeless Connection explores the profound meaning behind this declaration from the Apostles' Creed. Discover how the church transcends both place and time, connecting believers across generations. Learn the biblical definition of saints as all believers made holy by God, not just exceptional individuals. Explore the rich meaning of communion (koinonia) as fellowship, partnership, and household, exemplified by the early church in Acts 2.This teaching reveals how the communion of saints extends beyond those living on earth to include believers throughout history. Jesus taught that God is the God of the living, meaning those who have passed through death have simply moved from earthly life to heavenly life. Scripture shows saints in heaven as a great cloud of witnesses, active in prayer, and participating in worship before God's throne.Hebrews 12 provides a remarkable picture of how believers are connected across time, having come near to the heavenly Jerusalem, to angels, to those whose names are written in heaven, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus himself. This communion of saints—the Church Militant (on earth) and the Church Triumphant (in heaven)—reminds us that we are never alone in our faith journey.This message will transform your understanding of church, worship, and your daily walk with Christ. Discover how being part of this timeless connection brings comfort, courage, and a deeper appreciation for your place in God's eternal family.

Ancient Faith: I Believe in the Holy Spirit

Rivers of Living Water: Finding Refreshment in the Holy Spirit explores Jesus' powerful proclamation at the Feast of Booths. During this ancient Jewish celebration commemorating God's provision of water in the wilderness, Jesus stood and declared that all who believe in Him would have rivers of living water flowing from their hearts. This living water is the Holy Spirit, given to all believers after Jesus' glorification. The message examines how the Holy Spirit transforms believers, enabling them to maintain joy and thanksgiving even in difficult circumstances, just as Paul and Silas sang hymns while imprisoned. When filled with the Spirit, believers experience a melody in their hearts, speak God's word freely, and find gratitude in every situation. Receiving the Holy Spirit involves active participation—recognizing God as the giver, believing in Jesus, praying to be filled, and making room in our hearts. While receiving the Spirit happens once at salvation, being filled with the Spirit is an ongoing process requiring continual surrender and removal of anything that displaces God's presence. This teaching provides practical guidance for both new believers seeking to receive the Spirit and long-time Christians desiring to be freshly filled. It addresses common obstacles to experiencing the Spirit's fullness and offers biblical strategies for creating space for God's presence.

Here Comes the Judge

Finding Faith That Pleases God: What Jesus Will Look For When He ReturnsDiscover what kind of faith Jesus will be seeking when He returns to judge the living and the dead. In Matthew 25, Jesus provides three powerful parables that reveal exactly what pleases God.The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids teaches us that faith must be personally cultivated and endure through waiting and trials. You cannot borrow someone else's faith or rely on religious heritage – Jesus will look for YOUR faith when He returns.The Parable of the Talents shows us that while we are saved by grace through faith, genuine faith always produces works. Like the Sea of Galilee that receives water and gives it out, our faith should receive God's grace and pour it out to others through good works. God doesn't expect us to do what He hasn't equipped us to do, but He does expect us to use what He's given us.The Parable of the Sheep and Goats makes faith concrete and practical. True faith manifests in compassion toward those in need – feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, caring for the sick, and visiting prisoners. When we serve the least of these, we're actually ministering to Christ Himself.Jesus is coming again, and when He comes, He will judge the living and the dead. This isn't just an ancient creed – it's a reality we must prepare for. The faith that pleases God is active, enduring, and expressed through love.Examine your faith today: Is it your own? Is it producing works? Is it expressing itself through love? Are you eagerly awaiting Christ's return?