Rick and the Becky-nator are back with a new episode of Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus—it’s Episode 7 of Season 9 - “Crossing the Event Horizon” - a continuation of the series “THE WAYS OF JESUS.” Here Rick and Becky explore themes drawn from his new book Editing Jesus. They continue a mini-series within the series—exploring dependence as a core teaching of Jesus. In this episode we explore a crucial dynamic of a dependent relationship with Jesus—crossing His “event horizon.” We’re exploring a way into dependence through a powerful metaphor in the created world—black holes…
 
Check out Rick’s new book, Editing Jesus. Go to its Amazon page here: https://tinyurl.com/48erume9

Becky has another podcast project, co-hosted with her friend Steph. It’s called Orderly, and you can find it here: https://www.beckycrawley.com/orderly-podcast/

And here’s a great recorded conversation with Dr. Judi Slattery on her popular podcast Authentic Intimacy—an exploration of the themes of Editing Jesus, from the perspective of a kindred spirit and clinical psychologist: https://www.authenticintimacy.com/556-why-we-cant-ignore-what-offends-us-about-jesus/

And don’t forget to check out Rick’s daily devotional Jesus-Centered Daily—go to jesuscentereddaily.com to download a 10-day sampler of the devotion, or to order it for yourself or as a gift. Or head straight to Amazon to order it: 
https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Centered-Daily-Touch-Smell-Taste/dp/1470759608/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Jesus-Centered+Daily&qid=1599794429&sr=8-1

Sign Up for the FREE 7-Day Devotional Series, Drawn from the Jesus-Centered Daily
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Vibrant Faith
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Related Books & Resources:
The Jesus-Centered Life
https://tinyurl.com/yxmdbafx

Jesus-Centered Daily
www.amazon.com/Jesus-Centered-Da…1593117629&sr=8-1

Following Jesus
A 40-lesson, interactive and experiential curriculum for youth or adult ministry, created by Rick Lawrence.
https://vibrantfaith.org/product/following-jesus/

The Suicide Solution
https://www.amazon.com/Suicide-Solution-Finding-Your-Darkness/dp/1684511593/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+Suicide+Solution&qid=1628897750&sr=8-2

Spiritual Grit: A Journey Into Endurance. Character. Confidence. Hope. 
www.mylifetree.com/shop/spiritual-grit/

Growing Spiritual Grit for Teenagers: 40 Devotions 
www.mylifetree.com/shop/growing-sp…s-40-devotions/

Growing Spiritual Grit: 52 Personal Devotions 
www.mylifetree.com/shop/growing-sp…onal-devotions/

The Jesus-Centered Bible
www.mylifetree.com/jesus-centered-bible-shop-page/

The God Who Fights for You: How He Shows Up in Your Suffering 
www.amazon.com/God-Who-Fights-Yo…ing/dp/073697704X


Season 9 Episode 7 - Crossing the Event Horizon

On the second Sunday of Hatour, the Coptic Orthodox Church reads the Parable of the Sower — the story of the seed that falls on different kinds of soil. This week’s sermon explores what it means to be rooted in God’s grace rather than driven by guilt or emotion. Drawing from Psalm 104, we see that just as “the trees of the Lord are full of sap,” the human soul is meant to drink deeply of the Spirit and bear lasting fruit. 

Becoming Trees of the Lord

This sermon drawing primarily from the miracle of healing the paralytic man in Mark 2, emphasizes the profound, life-altering impact of choosing the right friends. The speaker highlights that this man, afflicted both physically and spiritually due to past mistakes, was saved because his companions had the faith and loyalty to bring him to Christ, resulting in both forgiveness of sins and physical cure. Conversely, the text warns that bad friendships are destructive, citing examples like the man at the Bethesda pond who had no friends and the prodigal son who was led astray by bad company. Ultimately, the sermon delivers a crucial message for parents and servants to carefully teach the importance of selective trust and virtuous relationships, reinforcing the idea that one person's faith can lead to another's healing and that collective faith within the church can save those who are struggling.

Healing & Friendship

This sermon reflects on the biblical account of Jesus inviting Levi, a despised tax collector, to "follow me" while Levi was still working in his tax office, emphasizing the importance of accepting God's call just as you are. The speaker contrasts this direct invitation with the human tendency to believe one must first repent, cleanse oneself, or become worthy before returning to God, arguing that such attempts to self-justify negate the need for Christ’s sacrifice. Using the parable of the Prodigal Son and a passage from Galatians, the sermon powerfully asserts that if humans could achieve righteousness through their own works or efforts, Christ died in vain, underscoring that our transformation is God's work, not our prerequisite to follow Him. The core message encourages listeners to immediately follow Christ, who will then initiate the necessary change, much like Levi the sinner became Matthew the evangelist.

Inviting Levi to Discipleship

This sermon focuses on the active presence and divine works of the Holy Spirit in the church community, drawing inspiration from Mark 3:22-35 concerning the unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. The speaker uses a recent story about a significant, unexpected donation to the church to illustrate God’s tangible provision and miraculous involvement, which cannot be explained by human effort alone. Emphasizing that God is undeniably present and working in this place, the message challenges the congregation to actively participate and serve in God’s vineyard today, echoing the urgency found in Matthew 21:28 and the reprimands in the book of Haggai for neglecting God's house. Ultimately, the sermon calls for the community to arise, build, and share the powerful testimony of God’s goodness and activity with others, ensuring the church does not fall into ruin.

Denying the Works of the Holy Spirit

TWTNov2025 - Worship and the Holidays

This morning we continue our sermon series on the Acts of the Apostles
Text: Acts 5:12-42
Speaker: Pastor Todd Bolton

A Christ Centered Church

25 11 30 - To be more like Jesus (Alan Bott)

This Advent season, Gayle Parker opened by inviting us to rethink where real life actually begins. John’s prologue reminds us that Jesus didn’t simply enter the world in Bethlehem—He is the eternal Word who was present before creation, the One through whom all things came into being. In a season when we’re tempted to believe life will start “once we get there”—once we succeed, once we have enough, once things finally feel stable—John confronts us with a different truth. Real life is found not in our future milestones but in the Light who is already shining.
Through Amber’s story, Gayle showed how easily we follow false saviors—external pressures, internal fears, or habits that promise life but slowly steal it. Yet John insists that darkness never gets the final word. The light of Christ keeps breaking in, illuminating our choices and calling us to draw near to Him. Our task isn’t to manufacture light on our own, but to stay close to the One who brings it, letting His presence shape the way we live right now.


Video Credit: Perseid Meteor Shower 2024 Highlights - Real Time 4K | Magic Carpet Media - 
Music used: Singularity by Jonny Easton | Relaxing Ambient Music - Royalty Free...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAvQgPpsuuE

Joy to the World | The Joy Of Life - John 1:1-5 - Gayle Parker

The sermon explores the true cost of discipleship, stressing that becoming a follower of Jesus necessitates profound personal sacrifice. These costs frequently involve losing important family ties and connections, an idea illustrated by the Apostle John, who sacrificed his personal relationship with the high priest once he committed to Christ. Furthermore, this commitment requires carrying spiritual "crosses," which manifest as facing rejection and persecution and struggling to obey challenging divine commandments, such as loving your enemies. Although the speaker warns that this difficult journey demands preparation for suffering and potential discouragement, the ultimate promise is a reward of 100-fold compensation and eternal life.

Cost of Discipleship

Catch up with all the teaching at Twickenham Green Baptist Church

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Enjoy these sermons delivered at Willoughby Bible Church, whose mission is to help people become authentic followers of Christ.

Rick Lawrence, author of Jesus-Centered Life, unpacks what it means to live a life that pays ridiculous attention to Jesus. Each episode zooms in on a story of Jesus and looks at it to answer two very basic questions. Who do I say Jesus is? Who does Jesus say I am?

At Midtown Presbyterian Church, we value honest questions and genuine community, working alongside one another as we discover more about what it means to follow Jesus in the modern world, and in Phoenix. You are welcome here.
Listen to our teachings in this podcast to follow us, and be sure to join us Sunday mornings; visit thespringmidtown.org to learn more.

New tracks tagged #Discipleship