Bonus Episode with Sam Sorbo

A special bonus episode of the Bible in Life podcast featuring actress, author, speaker and homechooling advocate Sam Sorbo. Sam is married to actor Kevin Sorbo. They have raised three kids, whom Sam passionately homeschooled.

Sam and Kevin recently released a new Christmas devotional titled Christmas for 40 Days: A Loving Celebration-  https://shop.sorbostudios.com/product/p/rnqjkqv

In this wide-ranging conversation Sam and John talk about the Sorbo's love for Christmas and what Sam's hope is for this new Christmas devotional. We also talk about Sam's passion for homeschooling and whether or not your kids should go to college... and whole lot more. 

I hope you enjoy listening in as Sam and I spend a little time getting to know each other. 

To learn more about Sam:

https://sorbostudios.com/home-page

To order the Christmas devotional:

https://amzn.to/3ZFhXsE

To learn more about the Washington D.C. tour:

https://christianexpedition.com/tour/8815/

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

A Key to Joy | Psalm 103  

Bless the Lord, my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your guilt,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with favor and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The Lord performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the sons of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always contend with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our form;
He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
Like a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place no longer knows about it.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him,
And His justice to the children’s children,
18 To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts, so as to do them.

19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the Lord, all you His angels,
You who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His,
In all places of His dominion;
Bless the Lord, my soul!

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

What Does It Mean to Forgive? | Matthew 18:15-35  

In a conversation with Peter, Jesus instructs us to forgive 70 times 7. He then tells a story that shows us what forgiveness actually means, and it's incredibly helpful. In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast John shares a sermon exploring how we deal with sin in the new family of Jesus and what it means to forgive. 

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Why Melchizedek Matters | Hebrews 7

In the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John preaches on Hebrews 7 and intriguing Bible character named Melchizedek. Why does author of Hebrews bring up Melchizedek and why does it matter for us today?

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

What Does it Mean that Elders Must Manage Their Household Well? | 1 Timothy 3:4-5 

4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?)

In this episode of the Bible in Life John and Steven discuss what exactly it means that church leaders must manage their own household well. And what about the parallel in Titus 1:6 about having children who believe? Does having an adult son or daughter who walks away from the faith automatically disqualify someone from church leadership? 

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Why Rewards Matter | Rewards pt 4

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven wrap up their discussion of rewards in heaven by exploring the question of why learning what the Bible says about rewards matters.

Many of the passages where the idea of rewards shows up have to do with endurance:

Matthew 5:10-12

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2 Timothy 4:6-8

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Are there Degrees of Rewards? | Rewards, pt. 3  

Some passages, especially in the parables of Jesus such as the parable of the minas in Luke 19, seem to suggest that there are degrees of rewards. That is, some people get more than others. 

But other Bible passages seem at odds with that. 

So in the episode of the Bible in Life podcast, Steven and John wrestle with the question, Are there degrees of reward in heaven? 

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

What kinds of rewards are promised to us? | Rewards, pt. 2

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, Steven and John explore the kinds of things promised to God's people as rewards. And the distinctive thing is that the rewards promised fit the person and their life. In other words, the rewards aren't arbitrary. 

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Is it Wrong to Hope for a Reward from God? | Rewards, pt. 1 

In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John and Steven introduce the topic of rewards in heaven and explore if it's in some way less honorable to seek God for a good reward. 

Bible Passages mentioned:

Hebrews 11

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 

9 By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.  

C. S. Lewis Quote:

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from [Immanuel] Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak.

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” 

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Safety, Security, and Assurance - Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.3 And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.  

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.

Goodness and Gratitude  

The basic human response to God as their Creator is gratitude according to Romans 1:21 (which Paul says humans typically fail to do). In this episode of the Bible in Life, John offers a reflection on what we can be grateful for and what ultimately that means for our life as followers of Jesus.

Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible: 

https://www.johnwhittaker.net

Support this ministry:

Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.

http://worldfamilymissions.org/john-whittaker/

The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself: 

https://www.listenerscommentary.com

Connect with John:

Social Media- connect on facebook and instagram

Email - [email protected]

If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.