In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West explore the misinterpretations of the parable of the talents. Together, they delve into Christ’s intended meaning for this story that is so intricately linked to other parts of the gospel.
Keith Holloway looks at what the Old-Testament account of Abraham and Eliezer says about faithfulness.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
In the book of Isaiah, God spoke of “a tenth”—a holy remnant of people who would remain faithful to God. Today, even through perilous times, there will be a remnant of God’s followers. Gary Wilkerson encourages Christians to remain steadfast as part of this group of faithful believers.
God’s faithfulness is constant and unchanging. Even when we struggle to understand our circumstances, God’s faithfulness endures. God is true to his promises, so we have every reason to trust in him.
In chapter nine of Acts, we’re told that the Holy Ghost came to a godly man named Ananias. The Spirit instructed him to find a man named Saul, lay hands on him and restore his sight. Ananias knew of Saul’s reputation. He believed this was going to be dangerous, but here is how the Holy Spirit recommended Saul to Ananias: “Behold, he is praying” (Acts 9:11, NKJV).
The Lord was saying, in essence, “Ananias, you will find this man on his knees. He knows you are coming. He even knows your name and why you’re being sent to him. He wants his eyes opened.”
“Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head” (Psalm 21:3, KJV). At first glance, this verse by David is a bit puzzling. The word “prevent” is usually associated with a hindrance, but the modern translation here would be, “You meet him with the blessings of goodness” (NKJV).
The biblical word for “prevent” meant “to anticipate, to precede, to foresee and fulfill in advance, to pay a debt before it is due.” Furthermore, in almost every instance, it implied something of pleasure.
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Many believers don’t want to believe that they will suffer hardship or know pain, but scripture has a very different word for us.
If you took a coyote and said, “I’m going to transfer you from your native kingdom into a chicken coop”, that would probably not go well for the chickens unless the coyote’s heart was changed first.