Reliable Truth
By Richard E Simmons III
Reliable TruthMar 25, 2023
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Isaiah: Advent Hope
Dr. Mark Gignilliat from Beeson Divinity School joins us today with a special Advent message from the book of Isaiah.
Does God seem distant to you? Do you wish that God would fill you in on what he's doing in this chaotic world that we live in?
Hebrews 1 tells us that, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."
The Lord has not left you and me to the best of our own imaginative devices. He has not left us to the best of our own intellectual enterprises to figure out who he is.
Jesus is the speech of God on display. The scriptures are God's inscribed word that witness to him.
The Lord has spoken. He has given himself to be known - to truly be known. But we must remember: we only get to know God on his terms. We don't get to know God on our terms.
I pray that in this season that each of you will be able to enter into Advent with joy and with hope.
Lord, thank you for these words from the prophet Isaiah. Even though they were written hundreds of years ago, they continue to resonate to us even today, as they point to you, oh Jesus, our wonderful counselor and our Mighty God.
I pray that you will bless these listeners during this season. Draw us to yourself, draw me to yourself, oh Lord!
In repentance and renewal, I pray in Jesus name, Amen!
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children. Watch on YouTube here
Drayton Nabers - The Case for Character
What is the single most important factor in an abundant life, or even a successful life?
Maybe you would say it's education or health, or maybe it's money.
If we thought it through, I believe that we would come back with the answer of character.
Well then, where does faith belong? Faith is a part of character, but I think that character is the single most important building block or factor in an abundant life - in a successful life.
And truthfully, in today's world, it seems that we have lost an understanding of what character is.
The Greeks were the first culture that studied character, and probably outside of the Bible, has left us the greatest legacy with respect to what character is. They used the word ethics for character.
The Greek said that to be ethical people is to be people of strong character. If we are people of strong character, then we will do the right thing, and like a healthy tree, we will produce good fruit.
So, what is the single most important question relating to character?
Today's special guest is my friend Drayton Nabers, Jr., successful attorney and former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He is discussing the subject of his book The Case for Character. Get your copy here.
Russell Levenson - In God's Grip: What golf can teach us about the Gospel
Richard's guest is Russell Levenson, speaker at our recent Men's Breakfast, sharing about his special relationship with President George and Barbara Bush, as well as his newest book In God's Grip: What golf can teach us about the Gospel.
Today he shares many heartwarming and inspiring stories about the Bush's. You don't want to miss this!
Russell is the pastor of St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston Texas, the largest Episcopal Church in America, with over 10,000 members. He was President George and Barbara Bush's pastor and performed the eulogy/sermon at each of their funerals. Russell's book about the Bush's is Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush.
In God's Grip: What golf can teach us about the Gospel is a unique collaboration by two Texans, both among the best in their field, sharing hints to improve golf and faith. The family of Ben Hogan, one of the game's immortals has permitted Rev. Russell Levenson to use the four-time U.S. Open Champion's words on both subjects in this profound and joyful book.
Gospel of John Study - Part 14
Where am I in my relationship with God?
In I Peter 2:25, Peter writes, “For you are continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and the Guardian of your soul.”
I love that phrase, the “Guardian of your soul”. Peter is writing to a group of Christians who were suffering persecution, going through a difficult time, and he’s saying to them, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He’s the Guardian of your soul, when you stay close to Him.
As he writes, Peter says that the problem is that we are continually straying like sheep.
Even as Christians, either we are drawing near to God, or we are drifting away from Him. In looking at my own life and in interacting with men and counseling with them, I've observed that usually when you drift away from Him, you’re not really aware that it’s happening.
It’s usually happening when you’re real busy, and you’re thinking, "I can get back to this later, but I’ve got to get through this over here..."
This is the last message in our 14-part series of the study of John!
As we wrap up this study, I would challenge you with these words to think about. Am I diligently seeking God, and seeking to hear from Him and drawing close to Him each day? Or am I at a point in my life where I’m just kind of slowly drifting away, or just kind of drifting?
I share this, because it’s so apparent that the state of our spiritual life is ultimately our responsibility. And that’s why we’re told, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Gospel of John Study - Part 13
Do you feel like you’re close to God? Do you feel like you have a close relationship with Him?
Missions leader John Oswald Sanders says, “Today, right now, you are as close to God as you choose to be.” Think about that. I believe he is saying that we determine the closeness of this relationship.
In author H.D. Morton's book In the Steps of the Master, he witnesses a scene in a cave near Bethlehem. Two shepherds had sheltered their flocks in the cave during the night. How were the flocks to then be sorted out?
Well, one of the shepherds stood some distance away, and gave his peculiar call. Each shepherd had a unique call, he says, which only his sheep knew.
Morton writes, “I watched it with my own eyes. His whole flock had run to him because they knew his voice. They would have come for no one else, but they knew the call of their own shepherd.”
How about you?
Gospel of John Study - Part 12
I believe that many modern people don’t believe in Satan. Or, they don’t see him as being much of a threat.
Interestingly, a number of ministers or teachers never teach or speak on the issue of Satan and the forces of darkness. Why do you think that might be?
Maybe the ministers think, "Since my sophisticated audience doesn’t believe in this stuff, I’m not going to talk about it. It seems to cause discomfort to go there.
What about you? Do you see Satan as a threat to your life, and to your family?
Gospel of John Study - Part 11
Are you bored with life? Are you happy with where your life is headed?
Last week we discussed how boredom can ruin your life and the danger of an easy life - a life of leisure. This can lead to a life of complacency
Historian Alexander Tytler wrote this in the late 18th century:
“A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote for themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.”
He goes on to say:
“The average age of the world’s great civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from great courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; then from abundance to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependence; from dependence, you go back into bondage.”
Does this remind you of where we are today as a nation? What will each of us do with the prosperity we have been blessed with?
I believe that it’s not so much that prosperity corrupts us. It’s what prosperity makes available to us that can potentially corrupt us.
What is God calling you to do?
Gospel of John Study - Part 10
What do you think a false Christian is? Someone who goes through the motions? Someone who thinks doing good things will get them into heaven?
Well, that’s what the Pharisees thought.
And yet, Jesus says in Matthew 15:7-9 that, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."
Jesus had great concern for this group, and He addresses this often in the Bible.
But, what is true belief? You see, true belief transforms who you are, because it involves the heart, and not just the head.
That is where repentance comes in. The surrender of your heart to Christ. How is your heart toward God?
Gospel of John Study - Part 9
How would you describe the quality of your life?
We are back in the book of John, continuing our study in chapter 6. In the Greek language there are two different words that are used for the English word "life" - bios and zoe.
Bios is the physical and biological life - our physical bodies. The life of the body. The experience of the body.
Zoe has to do with the quality of your life experience. You see, you can be physically alive and have a horrible quality of life.
In the book of John, every time you see the word “life”, it’s the Greek word zoe. In John 10:10, Jesus tells us that, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
We are not here just to exist. God’s will is that we really live, and this is what zoe is. This is what Jesus offers. To live with a sense of purpose and joy and exhilaration. The abundant life.
Is this true of your life?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - The Life of David
Who was King David of the Bible?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us today, exploring the fascinating and complicated life of King David, found in the book of Samuel.
Mark discusses the implications of David's life, his call, but also David's sin.
The Bible teaches that no man - no fallen human - can escape the corrosive effects of power over his life.
Plato talks about putting on the ring of power. Tolkien picked this up in The Lord of the Rings. If you put on the ring of power, there are all kinds of temptations that await you. Even sweet Bilbo Baggins, the little hobbit from the Shire is deeply affected by the putting on of the ring of power.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yGzNnYrHeII
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Homosexuality and its Effect on the Church - Part 2
Should certain sexual behavior be declared morally right because I have a desire to do it?
Are we going to allow God's truth to shape sexual morality or allow sexual desires to determine what is true and moral?
And does God care about this at all?
As I mentioned in Part 1, my objective in this 2-part series is to produce light and not heat. To bring enlightenment, but not anger. Watch on YouTube
Watch Part 1
Homosexuality and Its Effect on the Church - Part 1
How is homosexuality impacting the church?
You might think that this subject does not relate to you, but it does. We all need to know how this relates to the church and to our faith. This is a significant issue, a very current issue and a hard issue.
My objective in this 2-part series is to produce light and not heat. To bring enlightenment, but not anger.
As Christians we are called to love.
The bottom line is ultimately moral authority. How do we determine what is moral? I believe examining this will help us understand how we've come to the place where we are today. Watch on YouTube
Gospel of John Study - Part 8
Do you believe Christianity is true? If so, what is the evidence that you’ve built your faith on?
Conversely, have you rejected the existence of God? What is your basis of that decision?
The famous scientist Francis Collins was an atheist and incredibly well-educated. One day an older woman asked him about his faith.
And it just kind of dawned on him. Collins said, “As a scientist, I had always insisted on collecting rigorous data before drawing a conclusion. And yet, in matters of faith, I had never collected any data at all. I had never examined any evidence at all. I realized I didn’t know what I had rejected.”
In other words, Collins was saying, "I had rejected God, I had rejected Christianity, but, in reality, I didn’t know what I had rejected. I had never looked at any evidence."
As Francis Collins began to examine the evidence, he was shocked at what he found. Today, he’s a very committed, outspoken Christian and one of the most prominent scientists alive today.
You see, evidence is important.
In fact, we should want evidence, because the more evidence you have, the stronger your faith will be, just like if you’re trying a case in a court of law, the more evidence you have as the prosecuting attorney, the better the chances are that you’re going to win.
In this study we finish up John chapter 5.
Gospel of John Study - Part 7
Do you want to be well? Do you want to be made whole?
I find that there are so many people who are not well, and not healthy, and yet they are scared to death of the process that would be required to get well.
I’ve seen this over the years often. I saw it with a guy that came to see me about his finances. He had pride, and he was having problems. He showed me his income, and he showed me his expenses, and I said, "This is a simple math problem. This is why you’re in trouble. You’re spending more than you are making."
I told him, "This is what we need to do. You’re going to have to eliminate some things."
I don’t think he liked that. He didn’t come back to see me again. He didn’t want to be financially healthy.
In John 5:24 Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged, but has crossed over from death to life."
What is that worth to you? On that day? I contend that it is worth everything you’ve got.
Gospel of John Study - Part 6
What is your mission in life?
As we continue in the book of John, in this study we see that this is the third time that we’ve seen Jesus contrast the physical with the spiritual.
We saw that with Nicodemus, Jesus talks about his spiritual birth. And Nicodemus asks, "What do you mean? How do you go back in your mother’s womb and be born a second time?" He doesn’t get it.
Then with the Samaritan woman Jesus starts talking about living water. She thinks He’s talking about something physical.
Now as we read this, Jesus talks about having "other food." What is Jesus talking about? Jesus explains in John 4:34 that He has other food - that His food is the Will of God and accomplishing the work that God has for Him to do.
Basically, Jesus is saying that we all have a window of time.
We have each been given an allotted amount of time, and as we live this life, we are to do the work of God. And then Jesus says, in John 17:4, just before He’s taken, “Father, I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work which You have given me to do.”
Over the years, that verse has always intrigued me because it makes me wonder, was that just specific for Jesus?
Does God have a work that He wants me to do?
Gospel of John Study - Part 5
What is the thirst of the soul?
We are in John 4, discussing Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. It is a fascinating conversation.
He’s focusing on the spiritual need in her life and she’s thinking about not having to come to this well to drag water back to her house every day.
The thirst of the soul.
I read an older sermon by Tim Keller, and he talks about the role of water in your body. He says that our body is 50% water, and that if you are deprived of water you will die of thirst and dehydration. It is a terrible way to die.
Thirst is a physical deprivation because you are made of water, and therefore, you crave it, and you need it. In the same way, Jesus uses the term living water, to tell this woman, "Your soul is craving for something that you don’t have and I’m the only one who can give it to you. It comes from Me."
Where are you looking to quench the thirst of your soul?
Gospel of John Study - Part 4
We live in a time where many people just want to emphasis God’s love.
But really, how do we know that He is a God of love? Does history tell us?
Over the centuries, human society has had a good understanding that he is a God of wrath, who is righteous and puts down rebellion, who holds up the law of righteousness.
But who came up with this idea of a loving God, a forgiving God, a merciful God–a God who will forgive people who are terribly wicked?
Where did that come from? It came from one place. It came from one person–the God of the Bible.
One of my favorite words to describe what God has done for us is the word rescue. Colossians 1:13 says that He came to, “...rescue us from the domain of darkness.” and I Thessalonians 1:10 tells us to wait for "...Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come."
He came to rescue us, but you have to want to be rescued. And to want to be rescued, you have to realize that your life is in peril.
Gospel of John Study - Part 3
Are you on a search for truth?
Today we are studying John 3:1-15. In this familiar conversation that Jesus has with Nicodemus, we’re introduced to this great truth about being born again. The idea of a new birth.
There is another word that Paul uses that means the same thing - regeneration. If you’ve ever read the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, it uses the words regenerate and regeneration a good bit.
There are three definitions in Webster’s for regeneration:
- to generate and produce anew
- to change radically and for the better
- to be spiritually reborn
What do you think of when you hear the term “born-again" Christian?
Looking at our culture today, if you were to ask that same question to a random sampling of people, how do you think they would respond?
Author Tim Keller said that:
"The new birth means you are now able to sense the reality of things that before were nothing to you. You actually didn’t see the reality of them. The new birth is a new order of life in which you finally begin to sense the full reality of what’s out there in the Universe, and you can live and act in accordance with it."
In Ephesians 1:17-18, Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Ephesus was, "God, I pray that You would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation, and that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened." This is what God wants to give us through this new birth.
Gospel of John Study - Part 2
Today we're studying John chapter 2. It’s a quick read, and full of interesting details about Jesus.
He spent 30 years of His life in a small, obscure village called Nazareth. The people in Nazareth didn’t even think much of Him, yet even at age 12, Jesus really had a good grasp of who He was and why He was there. He grew in wisdom and knowledge, and in favor with God and man.
Hebrews 5 tells us that, "although Jesus was Son of God, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”
So, we learn that He suffered, and He learned obedience from all that He suffered. What do we know about His suffering?
Gospel of John Study - Part 1
When my oldest son was about nine, out of the blue he asked me, “Dad, why do you believe in God?” And I gave him all kinds of reasons. I said there are a lot of very good, rational, logical reasons to believe in God. Then I said, but, for me, ultimately, I believe in God because of Jesus. The Word becoming Flesh and dwelling among us.
What is the reason for life?
Author Tim Keller said, “The Designer has punched a hole in the roof of the world, and He has descended down into it in the person of Christ…
You were built, all of us, not to just follow some philosophical principle or follow some law. You were built to know and love this divine person, Jesus.
And when you know Him, and you serve Him, and you love Him, when you find out what He built you for, and you comply with it, and you submit yourself to Him, that’s when you find out who you really are, and you become the person you were meant to be.”
Go back to John chapter 1, and substitute the word “reason” every time the verse says “the Word” when you read it.
“In the beginning was the reason for life, and the reason for life was with God, and the reason for life was God, and the reason for life became Flesh and dwelt among us.”
I think Paul says it best in Colossians 2:9-10, where he says, “for in Him (Jesus) all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him, you have been made complete.”
John is telling us that Jesus is the reason for life, and, in Him, we are made complete.
Michael Easley inContext - Reflections on the Existence of God
Richard joins Dr. Michael Easley to discuss Richard’s book Reflections on The Existence of God and the importance of evidence-based belief.
Why is it important to have evidence to believe in?
In this episode we'll look at these questions many of us have:
- How should we think about evil in a culture that loves evil?
- What is the meaning of life?
- What is my purpose in living?
- What is the psychology of belief and unbelief?
- How is the person and work of Jesus Christ apologetic evidence?
There are a lot of strong arguments for the existence of God, but two of the most compelling are the fine tuning of the universe and the person of Christ as the Son of God.
We should each examine the evidence out there and strive to believe responsibly. What evidence have you found for the existence of God?
Find out more about Richard's book Reflections on the Existence of God - Read Chapter 1 for free.
Dr. Easley’s experience in ministry spans four decades as a gifted Bible teacher and church leader. He was the 8th president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois He shares a passion for ministry, a heart for people, and love of God.
Michael Easley inContext wants to help you understand how God’s Word applies to the context of your life through interviews with subject matter experts, and men and women striving to obey Christ and His Word.
This episode originally aired on Michael Easley inContext here.
Paul Walker - I Did Not Come To Condemn But To Save
Today my guest is Paul Walker. We'll be looking at four different people from the gospel of John who represent four types of people: two seekers and two believers.
One seeker is a guy named Nicodemus who seems to have it all together while the other is a woman caught in the midst of adultery who's clearly got her fault lines exposed.
One believer is Thomas, Jesus's disciple who was plagued by doubts and questions. The other is Peter, fired up for Christ but finds that his life actually doesn't square with his faith.
So four people from four different places in life, each of which I would say is looking for the same thing: to be in the inner ring.
Christian apologist C.S. Lewis came to this conclusion, "I believe that in all men's lives at certain periods and in many men's lives, at all periods between infancy and extreme old age, one of the dominant elements is the desire to be inside the local ring and the terror of being left outside the inner ring."
Where have you felt it?
Responding to Life's Disappointments
All of us have certain pictures in our minds and in our hearts of how we want life to be. Our pictures are made up of people and circumstances.
As long as reality and our pictures are somewhat in conformity, then life is good! Everything is going well!
The problem arises when there's a gap between my picture and reality. And the greater the gap, the greater the pain and disappointment, the hurt, and just the craziness that comes into our lives. Sometimes our pictures just blow up.
How do we respond to the storms when life blows up?
The content for today's episode comes from a seminar I attended by Christian counselor and author Julie Sparkman. Check out her book Unhitching from the Crazy Train: https://www.amazon.com/Unhitching-Crazy-Train-Finding-Control/dp/1625915365/
I greatly appreciate Julie's teaching on this subject. As I have used and applied these principles in my own life, God has impacted me in a deep way.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Courage
Is life worth living? And if so, how can it be lived well?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us with a message from the Old Testament book of Joshua.
Where is happiness in all of this? Interestingly, I recently read that the largest registration for a single course in the history of Yale University was a course entitled "Happiness." To live a fulfilled human life is an age-old question. Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle answered that a well-lived life is one that's marked by virtue. In today's talk I will discuss how to grow and develop the virtue of courage in your life.
Courage is not the absence of fear. Aristotle said that courage is knowing when to withstand and knowing when to advance in the face of fear. In Joshua 1:9 the Lord told Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Watch on YouTube
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Jerry Leachman - On Point With Your Family?
Happy Father's Day!
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries joins us with a message for fathers especially, but also for all men - to help us all focus on the things that matter.
Are there any boundaries when it comes to human sexuality? How do our choices affect others in our lives? As a father, how do my choices affect my wife? My children?
Today's message is about living an upright life - how to be a righteous man. Righteous men are just normal guys, but they’re just not double-minded anymore. They confess their sins. They live with accountability. They want to be part of the solution.
Dads, you can demonstrate to your daughters how women should be treated. Men can model to their sons on how to think about real women, and how real men treat women. Women, even the most godly ones, cannot do that like a man can. Women can nurture. They comfort. They encourage and they’re powerful prayer warriors, but they cannot model for boys and demonstrate to young girls in the way men can.
Train up your child - create a desire in them to live for Christ through your example and through cultivating a loving relationship with your children. It's the most worthy job you could aspire to.
Jerry is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S.
He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.
Why Is The World So Broken?
I remember watching a movie at around age 19, and laughing more than I'd ever laughed before in my entire life.
About 6 months later I became a Christian, finished college and went on to start my career. Some years later I found that same movie in a rental store and excitedly took it home to watch it. I started watching it, and after about 10 or 15 minutes I had to turn it off because it was so crude and so perverse.
I share this because something had happened to me.
Very clearly my view of life had really changed. The way I saw life had changed. And my view of sexuality had changed.
So what happened to me? I guess you could say I was seeing life through a different set of eyes. Clearly the Holy Spirit was in me as a Christian, and had transformed the way I view life.
Why is the world so broken? I believe the world is broken because of the spiritual condition of man.
All people need the light of Jesus Christ, as Jesus said in Acts 26:18, "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." Watch on YouTube
Being a Healthy Man
Would you say that you're living a healthy life? And what does a healthy life even look like?
Today I'm diving into the life of King David and his fall into adultery–we'll look closely at what happened in his life.
When marriages are struggling and there's not much passion going on, that's when you are particularly vulnerable to the temptation to adultery. Proverbs 5 tells us men to, "Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth... and be exhilarated always with her love."
Maybe you're in a difficult place in your life. You might be thinking to yourself, "Well, you don't know my situation..."
I want to encourage you to hold on to the hope and the love of Christ for you. In today's message we'll learn how to:
- be intentional about guarding our hearts
- pray about the issues that we face
- stay close to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls–Jesus Christ, and
- trust in God's will for us in this.
I contend that if you apply these principles in your life, then over time you'll be a very healthy man and you will experience the abundant life that Jesus promised us in John 10:10. Watch on YouTube
How I Survived The 1945 Sinking of the USS Indianapolis
In honor of Memorial Day, Richard's guest is WWII Marine survivor Edgar Harrell, who shared his heroic survival story at one of our Men's Breakfasts in 2019.
At the time, Sergeant Ed Harrell was the last surviving Marine of the USS Indianapolis. Two years after speaking at our event, Harrell passed away at the age of 96.
July 30, 1945: After transporting uranium for the atomic bomb that would soon be dropped on Hiroshima, the USS Indianapolis headed unaccompanied toward a small island in the South Pacific. At 12:14 a.m., she was struck by two Japanese torpedoes, rolled over, and sank.
Harrell vividly describes the horrors of being plagued by dehydration, exposure, saline poisoning, and sharks. This is a story of courage, ingenuity, and faith in God's providence in the midst of the greatest catastrophe at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy.
Want to hear more about Ed Harrell’s story? Pick up his book Out of the Depths here.
Tim Keller - Bible Study on Romans 8:28-30
As many of you may know, pastor and author Tim Keller passed away this past Friday. I am grateful for Tim's life and his witness, and for how the Lord has used him so powerfully in so many people's lives. We are thankful for the wisdom he has given to us through his speaking events at The Center.
In honor of Tim, I’d like to share with you his last Bible Study message to us, given live from New York City, hosted by The Center and Redeemer City to City on June 1, 2021. Tim is teaching from Romans 8:28-30, on how to find lasting joy, even in the midst of deep sorrow. I pray that you will find encouragement in this message. - Richard E. Simmons III
Tim Keller was the Chairman and co-Founder of Redeemer City to City, which trains pastors for ministry in global cities. He is also the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and the author of New York Times best-selling books The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, Prayer and his latest book Forgive. Visit Redeemer City to City for more resources. Watch on YouTube
Bernhard Langer Shares His Story
"You just won your first major. You’ve got a beautiful young wife. You’ve got houses, cars, money, everything a 26 or 27 year-old could ever dream of and more. Well, what is this emptiness about? I had no ideas... " - Bernhard Langer
Today Richard's guest is professional golfer Bernhard Langer. Join us to hear Bernhard's fascinating story and his journey of faith. Bernhard is a two-time Masters champion. He is one of five golfers to win professional golf events on all six continents. After turning 50, Bernhard has established himself as the most successful player in the history of the PGA Tour Champions with 11 senior major championships. Watch on YouTube here.
Giving Your Life Away
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries joins us today with a message calling us to give our lives away.
Jesus said people that give their life away will find their life. You know when you’re giving your life away because it’s impossible to be contentious toward anybody. You have become their servant. You don’t think you’re better than others, and you’re free from the bondage of consumerism.
People that give their life away, Jesus said, shine like lights in the world. He even said in the midst of a crooked and a perverse generation you shall shine like lights in a dark place.
Jerry is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S.
He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat - Hope in the Divine Name
What does it mean to be a human being?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us with a message from the book of Exodus. I believe that we are seeing the erosion of the West, right in front of us. Shifts in our culture are accelerating very quickly.
What we are seeing is going to require us to wrestle with the very basic questions of who we are:
- What does it mean to be a human being?
- Do humans have a nature?
- Is there a nature that can be defined as a common nature of all humanity?
- What does sexuality actually mean in the givenness of the created order?
The answer to all of these questions sits on top of the reality and the confession that "God is."
God has given Himself to be known. He has spoken. He has given us His name, which allows us to identify Him and to relate to Him. And He is speaking to us through His Son Jesus in the Exodus of the Old Testament. And He has spoken to us in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus in the New Testament, so that we can know who our God is, relate to Him and worship Him more fully.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Collin Hansen Book Release - Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation
Millions have read books and listened to sermons by Timothy Keller. But which people and what events shaped his own thinking and spiritual growth?
Today I'm having a conversation with Collin Hansen, as we celebrate his latest book Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation.
Timothy Keller takes readers behind the scenes to meet the people and understand the events that formed Keller's spiritual life and ministry priorities. With access to Keller's personal notes and sermons—as well as interviews with dozens of family members and longtime friends—Collin Hansen helps you understand one of the 21st century's most influential church leaders. Watch on YouTube
Ezekiel's Vision
The prophet Ezekiel in the Bible is a wild ride. I'm not sure how else to describe him. Ezekiel is a remarkable prophet of the Old Testament Exile.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us with a message from the first chapter of Ezekiel.
Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus, "...is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
Ezekiel chapter 1 paints this incredible scene of Jesus praying for us. The scene moves from the ground up, as we see One like a man surrounded by a rainbow, Who is aflame and aglow with the mysteries of the universe. The cosmos is all around Him.
What is He doing? He is overseeing His creation. He is seeing all things toward their ultimate Redemptive purposes.
He is interceding for you and for me.
John Calvin famously said our Lord Jesus does not sit idly in heaven. He is active in heaven. What is He actively doing? Praying for His people, interceding for them, lifting them up before the throne. Jesus intercedes with His Father with knowledge, having lived in the realm of human suffering Himself.
Be encouraged with this today - Jesus is on His throne; He knows your name, He is praying for you to the Father by the Spirit, and He is reminding His Father that you are His. He has claimed you as His own. That is our only hope in life and in death.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Reflections on Easter
Think about these words - truth and evidence. How do we know what is true and valid? Is there real evidence for God?
I believe that every single one of us should be asking these questions. The healthiest men I know adhere to Socrates' advice to “follow the truth wherever it leads.”
So in order to discover what is true and valid we must take time to search it out for ourselves. Faith needs a foundation.
God invites us to step into the light.
Acts 17:31 tells us that God, "has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
Today I will share 3 points of evidence for the resurrection. I contend that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest source of hope in the world. Ultimately there is power in the resurrection! Watch on YouTube
The Power of Hope
Are you looking for hope in your life today?
In light of the recent, tragic school shooting in Nashville, I'd like to share this message of hope from a Good Friday talk I gave a few years ago. I believe it is pertinent today.
Author and pastor Tim Keller says this, “Hope is the engine that drives your life. And the reason is because how you live your life today is so influenced by how you perceive your future.”
In our vocabulary today, the word "hope" is generally spoken of as a synonym with wishing for something. I wish this would happen. I hope this would happen. Wishing is a vague longing for something we desire, but find unlikely to happen.
The hope that I’m speaking of is a noun and it’s a life-shaping certainty of something that has not happened yet, but you know will happen. That word “hope” is used 85 times in the New Testament. What you’ll see stressed repeatedly is that our relationship with God is the ultimate ground of hope in this life, and that’s what I want to show you today.
We are all hope-based creatures. We can’t live without hope. This is why people who see the future as being utterly hopeless, very sadly pull the plug on their lives. Because, when you look ahead at the future and you don’t like what you see and you see no change is coming, you find yourself feeling this sense of hopelessness. This naturally leads to despair in your present-day life. And so, the way you see the future has such an impact on the way you see your life and the way you live your life today.
Reflections on the Cross
When you think of God, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? In other words, when you think of the attributes of God, what do you think of?
Here in the south, many of us might describe God as a loving God, a merciful God, that He is a forgiving God and He is an all-powerful God. You see those descriptions in the Bible of who God is. These are descriptions that make us feel good about God and who He is.
The problem is when Easter rolls around we hear a lot of different words. We hear words like sin and the cross and the crucifixion, God’s wrath, and God’s judgment, the sacrifice He made and the spilling of the blood of His Son, Jesus. And for many people, this isn’t really pleasant. It’s kind of like a lot of people feel about Good Friday, they say, I’d just as soon forget about Good Friday and move on to Easter.
But the heart of the Christian faith starts at the cross. In fact, without the cross, the Biblical story of redemption makes no sense.
Today I'd like to share with you a Good Friday message I gave a few years ago, to briefly walk you through the events of Good Friday, and make four important points that I think will be very helpful to you, particularly as you prepare your heart for Easter.
The Pride of Life
Today's message might possibly be the most important message I could ever share with Christian men.
Proverbs 16:5 says, "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished." Think about those words. Then James 4:6 tells us, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." The Greek word for opposed there means "to be at war with." Now who in the world wants to be at war with God?
There are two types of pride. The first is what you would call good, like taking pride in your work and striving for excellence in your life. The Bible is talking about the second type of pride, which is arrogance. We can easily see arrogance in the lives of others, but it's so difficult to spot it in our own lives. I have to stop, step back and ask myself, could this be true in my life?
Tim Keller says that pride is the carbon monoxide of sin. Pride silently and slowly kills you without you even knowing it.
If arrogant pride is the utmost evil, and yet we have a hard time seeing it in our own lives, should this concern us? I think the answer is yes. I'd like to share several good applications that you can apply to your own life, starting today. I believe we should be praying every day, "Lord, show me the pride in my life. Help me to see it. Help me to see what is true of my own heart."
Pull-Aside with Jeff Pinkleton
Today Richard joins Jeff Pinkleton on the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast to discuss Biblical manhood, the existence of God, Alabama football and much more. Special thanks to our brother in the Lord, Bob "Coach Schue" Schuemann, for connecting Richard with Jeff and the good folks at The Gathering!
Jeff Pinkleton is Executive Director of the Gathering of the Miami Valley, where their mission is to connect men to men, and men to God. You can reach Jeff at GatheringMV.org or find him on Facebook at The Gathering of the Miami Valley.
This episode originally aired on the Pinkleton Pull-Aside Podcast. Click here to listen.
Psalms for the Pilgrim: The Psalms of Ascent
We live in an age of constant distraction. We have to be intentional to find space for reflection, for prayer - to crowd out the noise of existence. Many people are marked by angst, depression and even suicidal thoughts. Where are you looking for hope in your life?
Dr. Mark Gignilliat joins us with a message about Lent and the book of Psalms. Psalm 121:1-2 tells us, "I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
The season of Lent is a gift to us, especially in an age that's marked by distraction. Lent is a gift for reflection, a gift for prayer, and a gift for renewal. It's also a time for us to think about basic questions of our existence:
- Why am I here?
- For what purpose have I been made?
- Is life worth living?
- What are we heading toward?
- What's the purpose for our existence?
I believe that the Bible is extremely interested in all of those questions.
The Lord has promised that He will not lose us, that He's not going to fall asleep on us. He will keep our souls with that very thing that animates our being and gives us life. He will hold it and he will keep it. In the midst of the busyness and distractions of our lives. I pray that we will remember that our help comes from the Lord. That we will believe that this promise is true, and that it is true for each one of us.
Recommended devotional for Lent: A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.
Jerry Leachman - The Remnant
Scripture tells us that God always saves for Himself a remnant. What about you? What about me? Are you part of the remnant?
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries joins us today with a message calling us to prayer, commitment to Christ and to have a deep, fervent love for our fellow man. Like Ambrose's Band of Brothers, come together and spur each other on to love and good deeds. Be on the "battlefield", share your faith by loving people, caring for people. Be in each other's lives.
We are the Lord's remnant. Instead of praying for God to get you out of hard places, pray that whatever's ahead of you, that God would help you be faithful and persevere to the end.
Jerry is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S.
He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally. Watch on YouTube here
Seeking the favor of men or God?
Isn't it interesting to think about how we let other people have such an influence on how we live our lives. I think we would all agree that the people in our lives are important to us. In fact, relationships are the substance of life. We were meant to be with other people.
But, am I living my life to please others? Or am I living for the approval of God? I can't do both. You cannot truly live to please and approve Christ and live to win the approval of man at the same time. One has to be above the other.
Today we're discussing a single verse, Galatians 1:10, to learn how to find true freedom from the fears that drive us to comparison, envy, jealousy and loneliness. Watch on YouTube here
The Psalms: Life in God's Presence
Dr. Mark Gignilliat from Beeson Divinity School joins us again, this time with a message from the book of Psalms.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only take one book of the Bible with you, which one would you choose?
For me, I think it would be the Psalms. They are rich. There’s a treasure trove here of insight into what it means to live all of life In God’s presence.
Now, let me stop and just talk about that for a second. The Psalms are inviting us, and let me up the ante, the Psalms are actually commanding us to live all of life in God’s presence. From mountaintop moments, to the valley of despair, from confusion, to reorientation, in moments where you need wisdom, in moments when you are rejoicing, in moments when you are giving thanks, the Bible and the Psalms are instructing us that God wants all of our lives lived in His presence and in a spirit of prayer.
Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children. Watch video on YouTube here
The True Measure of a Man Part 3 - Finding the True Riches of Life
How do we find the true riches of life? In this series of talks we've discussed many fears and pitfalls that men experience - the fear of failure, battling the pressure to perform and 'act like a man.' We compare and compete constantly. This leaves men feeling isolated and alone.
If you think about it, a man's greatest fear should never be the fear of failure, but the fear of actually succeeding at something that doesn't really matter.
Author and coach Joe Ehrmann said, "At the end of our life, we ought to be able to look back over it from our deathbed and know somehow the world is a better place because we lived, we loved, we were other-centered, other-focused."
Every real man should be investing their life in a cause that is bigger than your own individual hopes, dreams and desires. But how do we make the changes necessary to do that?
Today is the last of 3 talks that I gave back in 2009 after the stock market crash. These talks became the foundation of my book The True Measure of a Man, which continues to impact many lives, both men and women.
Learn how to get Chapter 1 of The True Measure of a Man for FREE here.
The True Measure of a Man Part 2 - Battling Fear
Fear is a very interesting emotion. It's created by one thing: uncertainty over the future, and it operates in the realm of our imagination. It's amazing how we play things out in our minds, and most people don't know what to do with it. Fears end up running wild in their imaginations, particularly when they wake up at two or three o'clock in the morning and their minds start whirling. That's when fear runs rampant, and it cripples our lives in a multitude of ways.
Interestingly, in both the Old and the New Testament, the number one imperative from God to His people is to fear not. Be anxious for nothing. Do not worry.
So what is it that we fear? Well-known psychologist Larry Crabb says that we all have two basic psychological needs in our lives:
- The need for security, and
- The need for significance
What do I mean by significance? It's the belief that your life makes a difference that will last over time. At the end of our lives, each of us hopes that our life was important in some way.
Our need for significance creates an incredible fear of failure in us that we carry around - an incredible fear that we're going to fail somehow out in the workplace or in our relationships.
As you listen to this message, ask yourself these questions: How is God trying to use this in my life? What's He trying to teach me? Maybe for some of us, He's trying to make a spiritual breakthrough in our lives.
Today is the second of 3 talks that I gave back in 2009 after the stock market crash. These talks became the foundation of my book The True Measure of a Man, which continues to impact many lives, both men and women.
Learn how to get Chapter 1 of The True Measure of a Man for FREE here.
The True Measure of a Man, Part 1 - Dealing with Failure and Hardship
How do you cope when you experience hardship or failure in your life? Going through difficult times or failure exposes our true selves, which leads to more questions:
- How do you define and measure your worth as a person?
- What are the motivations that drive you?
- Where do you get your worth as an individual?
Our culture tells us that our worth is all about performance and success. We've somehow gotten personal achievement confused with our value and worth as people. How different would your life be if you did not fear and worry about what others thought of you, if you never had to impress anyone?
Today I'd like to share with you the first of 3 talks that I gave back in 2009 after the stock market crash. These talks became the foundation of my book The True Measure of a Man, which continues to impact many lives, both men and women.
Learn how to get Chapter 1 of The True Measure of a Man for FREE here.
The Legacy We Leave Behind
If there were only room for one thing in your life, what would it be?
You know, when we're dead and gone, I can promise you this, people will not remember us for the houses we lived in, the cars we drove or what we accomplished in our business or personal lives.
They will primarily remember us for the kind of people we were. Character, wisdom, love, and compassion. And if these qualities are what our lives are about, then we will naturally impact the lives of other people. And in the end, our lives will be known by the impact we have had on other people.
What is my primary loyalty in life - what is at the core of who I am? Is it money? Is it prestige and success? Is it the pleasures of life? There's something that is at the core of each of our lives. If it's not Christ, I want to challenge you to give Him preeminence in your life.
Jerry Leachman - Big Boy Talk
What is the desire of your heart for this new year?
Jerry Leachman of Leachman Ministries joins us today with a message to fuel your passions for 2023. How to cultivate an inner circle of wise people that can strengthen you and give clarity to your life. Most men don't even have an inner circle. They just have acquaintances. You need a wing man. If you don't have one, then pray for one. If you've got one, then make sure you're getting regular time with him. Go.
What kind of men are we going to be from here on in? You'd better get in a group. You'd better have a wing man on Omaha beach.
How in the world did the troops get off of Omaha Beach? They banded themselves into small groups of men. They designated leaders and they got off the beach because they were working together. They realized there were only two kinds of men on the beach - dead men and men who were going to get off the beach. Get with some brothers who love Jesus Christ and are serious. Iron sharpens iron. Your fear will go down. They will buffet evil in your life. They will influence you from doing unwise things, and your personal power and your potential for godliness will increase. Find a wingman.
The last thing is we must hear God and obey Him. In Psalm 81, it says, "My people would not heed my voice. Israel would have none of me, so I gave them over..." There it is. He abandoned them. "I gave them over to their own stubborn heart to walk in their own council. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways." Maybe you've lost faith. God can turn your life around.
Join Jesus Christ. Put His jersey on and get out on the battlefield with the men. Offer your service to the Lord. Whatever that would mean, He'll tell you, but you've got to be all in now.
Jerry is a favorite speaker at The Center's events. Along with being an associate Chaplain in The NFL for many years, Jerry has done ministry in Guatemala, Scotland, Russia, Europe and Africa as well as all over the U.S.
He and his wife Holly have been on Young Life Staff and continue to be involved with Young Life here and also internationally.
The Search for Wisdom - Part 4
Happy New Year! What are your goals for 2023? Are there areas in your life that you want to change?
Let's say you play golf, and you decide to go take a golf lesson. The first thing they will do is to film your golf swing. And they do it for one primary reason: to determine what are the flaws in your swing. The only way you're going to get better, the only way you're going to transform your golf game is to recognize your flaws. And here's what's interesting about this - almost every time you take a golf lesson, they point out your flaws. And you are clueless that the flaw exists. We are truly blind to our flaws.
The question is, are we willing to take a good hard look at ourselves? That's a very difficult thing for a lot of men, but I believe self-examination is critical if we truly desire to change course and walk down the path that leads to wisdom.
God's Great Rescue Mission
*RE-AIR EPISODE* Merry Christmas! Today’s podcast is taken a Christmas blog that I originally wrote several years ago. I share one of my favorite stories that illustrates the ultimate reason Jesus came into the world.
I hope that as we enter this Christmas season, and get caught up in the pageantry and celebration of His birth, that we would not forget that God sent His Son into the world to rescue us from the domain of darkness and from the wrath to come.