The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 10-31-23 part 1

A) Before we delve into the teaching of the 5000, it’s crucial to understand verse 13 of Matthew Chapter 14. This verse follows immediately after the death of John the Baptist, and Jesus was informed about what had transpired. Verse 13 states that upon hearing the news, Jesus retreated by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone. This not only reveals the human side of Jesus but also illustrates how the comings and goings of people in our lives can impact us. We’ve had remarkable individuals participate in this show, and their departure often leads to reflection and a touch of sorrow. However, the mission must continue. B) We now delve into Matthew Chapter 14, Verse 13, which narrates the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. This teaching is rich with profound elements, particularly when you examine the story through the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It’s essential to understand that this is the only creative miracle featured in all four gospels, apart from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This miracle, which addresses basic survival needs, is demonstrated to Jesus’ followers for a reason.C) As events unfold, we learn that a vast crowd follows Jesus. Moved by compassion, Jesus heals their sick. These are people who follow Jesus because they believe or think he’s the Messiah. In response to their efforts and commitment to draw closer to him, Jesus touches them. But Jesus’ healing extends beyond just physical ailments; he also addresses spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs. Moreover, he provides for people’s basic necessities - the core needs of mankind.D) Upon examining this incredible event, we find that Jesus takes very little and looks towards heaven. He gives thanks. He blesses what he has and then gives it away. In doing so, the food miraculously multiplies. This serves as a lesson for all of us: take what we have (not what we lack), look up to heaven (not elsewhere), express gratitude for everything, and give it away. In return, God will reward us with more than we initially started with.

The David Spoon Experience 10-30-23 part 2

1) As we delve into the remaining teachings in the Book of Job, we are reminded of the vast diversity of our Christian faith. Christianity is not merely a religion; it is a living relationship with a living God, made possible by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is serious, interesting, full of complexities, expressive, fascinating, challenging, humbling, rewarding, and can be described with a hundred other adjectives. Christianity is also fun because we get to explore different interpretations of certain verses.2) We examine two of God’s greatest animals that He created on Earth. These are not the two animals that most reflect Him - that would be Adam and Eve, man and woman, and humankind in general. And no, there is no third gender. If you can’t count to two, you need to go back to kindergarten. We examine the mighty Behemoth as well as the incredible Leviathan. This is fun because they are also known as a hippopotamus and a crocodile. Scholarly arguments revolve around how people have always interpreted them. But we use the Word of God to help us understand what these animals are, not what people think they might be.3) In regard to the Behemoth, the Lord says, “I have made it just as I have made you,” which means that God’s creative power was involved in bringing it into existence. He then says in the third person, “It is a prime example of God’s handiwork.” I think we underestimate how absolutely outstanding each individual animal is, how complex their existence is, and how absolutely outstanding their complete functionalities are. And it is that way for every single animal on the planet and every single living entity in the universe. 4) We can’t have more fun than discussing what Leviathan may have actually been. Could it have been a crocodile? Sure. But the descriptions that are given are not fanciful because God is not giving a fanciful description. He’s telling it the way it is. This animal stands above the rest because fire and sparks leap from its mouth, and smoke comes out of its nose. Flames shoot from its mouth. I’m not sure what you think about that, but it doesn’t sound like a crock to me.

The David Spoon Experience 10-30-23 part 1

A) This is our second entry into the book of Titus. Paul explains to Titus the primary reason for his presence in Crete: to set in order the things that are lacking. There are elements that need assembly and organization. This is Titus's primary purpose. With this organization comes the understanding that he must appoint elders, as they currently lack leadership. Without leadership, disaster ensues.B) Titus then receives a list of qualifications from Paul. This is a point of contention I have with today's American church. Many fellowships attempt to use both Titus and Timothy as their list of qualifications for elders. I believe this is not biblical because each was given a modified version of qualifications tailored to their situation. When there are fewer people to choose from, there are fewer requirements that can be demanded.C) What is inescapable is that they are supposed to hold fast to the faithful word. If they don't adhere to the word of God, their leadership could be based on their feelings or intellect, which is a bad idea. D) Personally, I am fond of verse 9 because it discusses the elder's ability, through sound doctrine, to exhort people (which means to encourage), convict people (which means to bring truth against people's failings), and challenge those who contradict. 

The David Spoon Experience 10-27-23 part 2

1) As you may know, I usually try to make Fridays particularly pleasant to some extent. However, that’s not the case today. We’re going to discuss the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. It’s crucial to understand the difference, especially considering the significant warnings to the church about the abundance of false teachings that will emerge in the end times.2) We delve into the territory of First John, Chapter 4, which guides us on how to discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Interestingly, we’re instructed to test and evaluate the spirits from which people speak. It’s insufficient to simply say, “I don’t resonate with that person; they’re not one of us.” That’s basing everything on feelings, which isn’t a valid test but rather a fleeting evaluation.3) We are blessed by God with three valuable tools to help us understand from which spirit someone is speaking and whether their words are divine or misguided. We gain insight through the gift of discernment provided by the Holy Spirit. We also learn by whether a person confesses Jesus Christ as Lord. Anyone who acknowledges God but is uncertain about Jesus presents a problematic situation. And then, of course, there’s the ultimate standard: The Bible. This is our primary guide for discerning truth, not because the Holy Spirit is flawed but because our ability to hear can be.4) The Beatles sang, “All we need is love.” However, the love being promoted isn’t the love that God intends for us to embody. So, we’re going to stay in First John to understand God, love, and God’s love. While God does have feelings for us, His love transcends mere emotions. Divine love is paramount and represents true love. The worldly concept and principles of love are far away from God, much like the worldly are far away from God. Keep that in mind when they scream and say, “You’re not loving me like you should.” Hogwash.

The David Spoon Experience 10-27-23 part 1

A) Everyone should appreciate the Book of James. It’s an exceptional letter filled with insightful, practical advice on walking with the Lord. The first point I’d like to discuss is found in James Chapter 1, Verse 15. Here, James differentiates between temptations and testings. He asserts that when tempted, no one should claim that God is the source of temptation. God is not the tempter; Satan is. However, God is the tester, and it’s important to recognize this distinction. "When one is being tested it is a decision of the spirit and the new man when one is being tempted, it is a decision of the flesh and the old man." B) We’ve discussed at length how temptation occurs when individuals are lured away by their own evil desires. It’s our inner selves that entice us and lead us astray from the righteous path. C) It’s also crucial to understand that temptation has various stages. Being tempted is not a sin in itself and should not be considered as such. If Satan tempts you with something and you resist, you have not sinned, even if the thought or feeling momentarily attaches itself to you. What matters is how you respond.D) Temptation becomes sin when we allow the desire to conceive and give birth. This means that when a desire enters our mind, and we continue to entertain it, shape it, and transform it into what we want it to be, it becomes sin. It’s not about the first thought or even the second; it’s about everything that follows.E) We could spend an entire show discussing Verse 17 alone: “Every good and perfect gift comes from above, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Everything good and perfect originates from heaven, and the wonderful thing about God is His unchanging nature.

The David Spoon Experience 10-25-23 part 2

1) Now that we’re Christians, we already know there are no more struggles in life. We don’t have to really care about it too much because everything is gonna be taken care of in eternity. So, really, there’s just no struggles that we have whatsoever. In fact, our struggles are nothing because we’re going to exist in eternity. The irony behind this opening is that it is true. This is how we should live our lives. In the face of eternity, everything loses its power.2) In the meantime, we still have to go through the day-by-day grind. And it’s the Apostle Paul in Romans that makes us aware that, though our afflictions are light and momentary in comparison with eternity, they are still understood as afflictions. These things in this process are temporary, but they are still draining. BUT they hold no great weight against those who are closely connected to the King of the universe. That’s the reason we need to be closely connected to the King of the universe NOW, as well as in eternity.3) Even when we’re having problems, and there are a ton of weaknesses, there is this reliable power that we have from the Lord. When we get knocked down, we get up again. Yes, I know it’s a song, but actually, before it was a song, many years before it was a song, it was a Proverb. And in our weakness, He shines brighter and brighter, which means that we can count on Him to help us now and later, just like the candy.4) If you were in a situation in a relationship, in a scenario, in a circumstance, in some form of life moment, and the Lord God almighty showed up through an angel, writing in the sky, a dream that you knew was from God, and told you “Guess what? I’m with you. I’m on your side. Would you think that is a tremendous comfort? Would you consider that to be the nail in the coffin that could break a great deal of the anxiety in your heart and mind? I already know your answer, and you already know what I’m going to say. God put this on the billboard of His book. So, in all of this, we can say thank you.

The David Spoon Experience 10-25-23 part 1

A) Gary from Corsica calls in and brings up the feelings that most Christians have about this whole situation with Israel (and the United States) and the possibility of a 3rd World War. He points out that people need to operate not with a sense of fear but a greater sense of peace, the peace that passes all understanding. He and Dave pray with the audience regarding the situations, making sure that we all understand that in this entire process, no matter how it breaks down, the Lord is with us.B) David Launches into Psalm 42:8. From all this, God will command kindness during the day and at night, His song will be with us - a prayer to the God of our life. His song resonates in our hearts and minds as we sleep, and His kindness reaches into our being during the day. Indeed, He is to be praised.

The David Spoon Experience 10-24-23 part 2

1) We find ourselves engaging with very profound content in the book of Galatians. This isn’t to imply that the rest of the book isn’t remarkable, but the material at the end of chapter 5 is simply extraordinary. In Galatians 5:16, Paul’s initial statement is to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. This message is relevant to us all, indicating that we can live according to our old life in the flesh, regardless of whether people choose to acknowledge it.2) Paul substantiates his statement by asserting that if we lead our lives in the Holy Spirit, we won’t succumb to what our sinful nature desires. We won’t indulge in our old sinful selves with appetites and cravings. The reason is simple: life in the spirit and life in the old flesh are at odds, which is why we often experience internal conflict.3) Paul further elucidates that the desires inspired by the Holy Spirit are diametrically opposed to those driven by our old sinful nature. It’s important to remember that while this sinful nature is judicially crucified, it is gradually being eliminated from our system. This process aligns with the three tenses of salvation: past, present, and future.4) Moving on to some of the most potent content, Paul outlines some of the fruits associated with the flesh - our old nature, our former evil selves that coexist with our reborn selves. He enumerates 16 different fruits or outcomes that can emerge from our old self, which is concerning considering it’s nearly twice as many as there are fruits in the Holy Spirit.5) Instead of delving into each word individually, we’ll examine the general words and their meanings to comprehend how they directly influence our behavior. It’s crucial to recognize that if we consistently exhibit this fruit without any internal conflict, it’s not a positive sign for our faith journey. Struggling and seeking help is one thing, but being indifferent is an entirely different matter. And dangerous.

The David Spoon Experience 10-24-23 part 1

A) Birthday parties are typically joyous occasions, a time for celebration. However, the birthday party of Herod Antipas was a disaster for the righteous. Herod already had a concept of resurrection, which must have weighed heavily on his mind. During his birthday party, the daughter of his wife, Herodias, performed a dance that greatly pleased him. The issue here is that the daughter of the woman he was with was stirring his desires. The daughter won favor through her dance, likely not a waltz.B) In an impulsive moment, less than brilliant, Herod promised the young lady anything she desired. This should serve as a lesson to all: in moments of heightened passion, the flesh can overpower reason and lead to promises that should never have been made. But what followed was even worse.C) Herodias advised her daughter, which seems normal as most mothers look out for their children. So, when the girl asked her mother what she should request with her “blank check,” Herodias, driven by spite and vengeance, told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. This request benefited no one except someone with a guilty conscience.D) The king realizes his mistake but can’t retract his promise because once he gives his word, it becomes an order that has to be fulfilled. If he didn’t keep his word, he risked losing his position. John the Baptist was executed, a terrible event in itself but one that secured his eternal future. His head was brought on a tray to the girl, who then gave it to her mother - quite the family dynamic indeed. Then, John’s disciples took his body and buried it.E) When Jesus was informed about everything that had happened.

The David Spoon Experience 10-23-23 part 2

1) As we have been studying this book for quite some time, we have finally arrived at the most pivotal chapter. After the Lord God Almighty takes the time to answer Job, which He is not obligated to do, and Job is not entitled to, He asks Job, “Do you want to continue this? Do you want to keep arguing with me? Do you think this will end well for you?” Because it won’t.2) Then Job, regaining some of his brilliance, responds to the Lord with an emulation that we should mirror in every situation. Job speaks the truth. He says to God, “I am nothing.” In today’s modern age of psychology, wokeness, and political idiocy, there is a theory that states that mankind is wonderful. However, humanity, all men, women, children, and all beings with any breath at any time are nothing before God Almighty. Zero. Nada. Zip.3) But now, in verses six and seven, God turns the tables to such a degree that each one of us should immediately adopt a posture of fearing the Lord as we read this text. He tells Job, “Okay, now I’m going to speak to you from a whirlwind that you could not possibly create. And I’m going to examine you.” The Lord warns Job to brace himself because God has questions for Job and may have questions for us.4) The Lord God Almighty then asks Job a pivotal question: “Are you going to try and discredit my justice and condemn me so you can appear right?” Here’s the interesting part about this: God is so much more just, wise, fair, and righteous that He asks Job this simple question: “Can you make your voice thunder the way I make my voice thunder?” The answer is an obvious no. And the rest of the Lord’s rebuke is going to be much harsher than that. Buckle up.
 

The David Spoon Experience 10-23-23 part 1

A) Welcome to the world of Titus, the third in the series of pastoral epistles. The series includes First Timothy 1, First Timothy 2, and Titus. These are collectively referred to as the pastoral epistles. As we embark on this teaching journey, we'll start with some background information about why Apostle Paul wrote this letter, who Titus was, his location, and the circumstances of the time. Fortunately, this is a shorter epistle, so it won't take a full year to teach. Maybe. B) The letter begins with Paul's signature identification, a feature present in all Pauline epistles. This is one reason many believe that Paul did not write Hebrews since his name is absent. Paul first identifies himself as a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He acknowledges his servitude and his mission to advance the kingdom. This is a helpful reminder for us all - we are first servants in the Kingdom of God, and then we have our individual tasks.C) Paul asserts that his position aligns with the faith of God’s Elect. It's important to remember that this is a key pattern of ministry - it's for the elect, for God's chosen people. Just as David recognized his kingship was for the people of Israel, we too are servants in the kingdom for the blessings of others. If we follow this pattern, we follow Jesus' established path.D) The next verse encapsulates it all: "In hope of eternal life." This line alone could conclude all discussions. It's about eternal life promised by God who cannot lie. Perhaps if we focused more on these simple truths, we'd find they hold the answers we seek. This is all about eternal life promised by our God who cannot lie - enough said.
 

The David Spoon Experience 10-20-23 part 2

1) Dave opens up the show by discussing what it means in Philippians, chapter one, verse 21: "To live is Christ and to die is gain." He addresses people who do not understand that there is an eternal life after this life. It's amazing to come to the realization that all of life is a bet, a gambling of sorts. 2) Calling all legalists, please gather at the well. Now, let’s leave well enough alone. That’s right, folks. We’re going to dive into a topic we rarely discuss how simple, fun, and easy engagement with people we love can be termed as sinful and contrary to God. How can this possibly happen? When people who have a bee in their bonnet can’t seem to let others enjoy their lives. They always have to cast a negative light on something to justify their distance from it.3) Every time I teach anything regarding Pastor Ray Bentley, my heart sinks just a little bit. As I’ve said many times before, Pastor Ray is dancing on streets of gold, and I am somewhat envious. Also, when I teach some of his material, I half expect him to drop a water balloon on my head for how I mess it up. But this brother of ours, who is enjoying everything the kingdom has to offer, is still teaching you and me. Today’s teaching is another classic. We know that we should trust the Lord, but Pastor Ray helps us understand what trust truly is.