The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 6-20-24 part 2

1) We find ourselves in Acts, Chapter 26, verse 17. It doesn't get better than this. Jesus is speaking to Saul, who is yet to undergo his name change to Paul. Some biblical scholars interpret the word 'Saul' to mean 'destroyer', while 'Paul' is believed to mean 'builder'. Jesus explains to Saul the transformative journey that lies ahead, and it's not always going to be pleasant.2) Jesus assures Saul that he will protect him from both Jews and Gentiles. It's remarkable that Jesus is committing to safeguard Saul. I may not be a rocket scientist, though I am related to one, but if Jesus needs to protect Saul, it implies that Saul is going to face significant challenges. He will require divine intervention, which he will receive. However, it's easy to overlook the fact that he will need it in the first place.3) Jesus then reveals His manifold purposes for choosing Paul. Firstly, Paul is tasked with opening the eyes of the Gentiles, making it abundantly clear that they are currently blind to what they need to see. God has something to reveal, and He needs to open people's eyes for them to understand. Saul will assist them in transitioning from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to the power of God. For those keeping score, this is the power of the Gospel.

The David Spoon Experience 6-20-24 part 1

A) As we get closer to concluding the Book of Jude, we resume at verse 18. The author states, “In the last times, there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly ways.” Let’s first define a scoffer. A scoffer is someone who mocks or treats something with contempt or derision. In the context of the Christian faith, we can identify the usual suspects: the media, politicians, academics, and Hollywood entertainers. Do they all mock the Christian faith? And who are our scoffers?B) These scoffers are characterized as individuals who solely follow their ungodly desires. This implies that their path is anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Holy Spirit. Their passions and intellect revolve around ungodliness. In a very real sense, their ungodliness becomes their deity.C) Verse 19 identifies these individuals as the ones who cause divisions. Upon closer examination, we can discern who is causing divisions in our nation, states, cities, neighborhoods, and even within our homes. The spirit of division does not originate from the Lord.D) A further characterization of these divisive individuals is that they are worldly and devoid of the Holy Spirit. By reverse engineering this, we can infer that those who create and foster unity are indeed filled with the Holy Spirit. However, these are not the typical individuals we encounter when dealing with the worldly. The worldly strive to create division and live their lives devoid of any influence from God. This is why being a friend of the world equates to being an enemy of God.
 

The David Spoon Experience 6-19-24 part 2

1) It's another off-the-rails show on the David Spoon Experience! David delves into Psalm 52:12, where King David asks the Lord to restore his joy of salvation. In an ironic twist, David Spoon finds himself caught up in doing things for the Lord without quickly attending to the Lord of the work. In other words, he got busy with ministry tasks but needed more personal time with Jesus. 2) David explains that when he broke away from his ministry duties to spend time with the King of Ministry, he experienced a restoration of the joy of his salvation. This is precisely what King David was talking about. Sometimes we can be so engrossed in our tasks that we forget their purpose and meaning.3) Afterward, David discusses the critical passage in Exodus 17, where Moses holds up his staff while the Israelites prevail against the Amalekites. The challenge arises when Moses struggles to keep the staff raised. Aaron and Hur (H-U-R) help Moses by giving him a stone to sit on and holding up his arms, ensuring the staff remains high. As long as the staff is held high, the Israelites prevail. 4) This story teaches us the importance of supporting one another. We can't do everything independently; we need each other. That's how God designed us, to be part of the body of Christ. Even if you've been hurt before, it's not an excuse to become a lone Christian. God has given everyone gifts to bless one another, which is the essence of the body of Christ.

The David Spoon Experience 6-19-24 part 1

A) It's another explosive show on the David Spoon Experience! Our great friend Sergio calls in while studying the book of Leviticus. He seeks to understand which laws still apply to us today. Do any of them? How should modern Christians approach these ancient laws?B) David responds by explaining the distinctions within the law: the moral, the civil, and the ceremonial. It's crucial to understand these differences. He highlights that the New Testament's moral law is even more stringent than the Old Testament's. For instance, merely being angry with your brother can be considered equivalent to murder.C) David explains that Christ's sacrifice ended the ceremonial law, symbolized by the tearing of the temple curtain. Consequently, we are no longer bound by ceremonial restrictions, and yes, we can eat lobster. So, ignore those who mock this freedom.D) Additionally, David delves into the civil law and its relevance today.

The David Spoon Experience 6-18-24 part 2

1) Our faith is rooted in Father Abraham, who was declared righteous because of his faith in God. This underscores the importance of faith on a daily basis. However, verse 24 makes it clear that this was for our benefit as well as for Abraham's. God will declare us righteous if we believe and exercise faith, but that faith must be placed in God and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, not in ourselves.2) A key point in our faith is this: God, who brought Jesus Christ back from the dead, is the central theme of our confidence and faith. This is critical because Jesus's resurrection from the dead validates everything He taught. Our faith in Jesus Christ and His resurrection connects us to everything God teaches.3) It's important for us to grasp the principle in verse 25. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised from the dead to make us right with God. There are two theological positions here that must be understood. First, He had to die to deal with the penalty of our sin. Second, He had to resurrect to establish a right relationship with God. His death was to end the hostility, and His life was to introduce us to a new and living relationship with the King of the universe.
 

The David Spoon Experience 6-18-24 part 1

A) Jesus promptly dismantles their theology. He calls a small child to Him, placing the child among them. He then delivers a stark truth: unless they repent and become like a little child, they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a profound way of saying that their quest for greatness is sinful.
B) The problem is straightforward. The disciples needed to repent because they were trying to figure out who was the greatest among them in the framework of ministry. Therein lies the problem. People who try to become the greatest in ministry need to repent because that's not the goal of ministry. The ministry is to serve one another and honor Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 45:5 says, do not seek greatness for yourself.

The David Spoon Experience 6-17-24 part 2

1) Don't overlook this detail: after creating male and female, Adam and Eve, God blessed them and called them 'man'. So, for those who take issue with this, remember that God referred to both Adam and Eve collectively as 'man', hence the term 'mankind'. It's not 'womankind'; it's 'mankind'. If this offends you, it suggests a problem on your part, reminiscent of the sin Adam and Eve committed in the garden by seeking equality with God. This is erroneous and sinful. We are 'mankind', as God has named us. Those who disagree will have to take it up with Him when they face eternal judgment. 2) We then delve into the lineage of Adam, noting the individuals born in his line. It's fascinating that Seth was born when Adam was 130 years old, and Adam lived for another 800 years. It's astounding to consider that the first person ever created on this earth lived to be over 900 years old before dying. One can only wonder what the people on Earth thought at that moment. 

The David Spoon Experience 6-17-24 part 1

A) The mention of Jannes and Jambres comes into play. These two are Pharaoh’s magicians (Exodus 7), who resist the true people of God. Beyond this, these types of people resist the TRUTH, such as, there is more than one gender, or that the earth is more important than the reason God created it. B) Dave goes on a no-holds-barred rant regarding people who put the creation above the Creator. It's the same sin as in the garden, man trying to elevate his importance, or mankind trying to elevate the importance of what he thinks is important. It was ridiculous then and led to devastation. It's ridiculous now and will do the same.

The David Spoon Experience 6-13-24 part 2

1) Jesus then instructs Paul to stand up, indicating that Paul had been knocked down. As we understand from other parts of his testimony, Paul was knocked down and blinded. Jesus then tells him to get up because they have work to do. Jesus appeared to Saul with a purpose, just as he appears to each of us with a purpose. The primary purpose was to transform Saul into Paul, just as Jesus transforms us from our old selves into our new selves.2) There are times in our Christian journey, whether in the beginning or later on, where Jesus knocks us down, so that the only way that we can see is by looking up. And when we look up, It's Jesus that we see. Jesus doesn't do this to be mean. He does this to get our attention. He will knock us down to help us look up and see Him. But he never knocks us down to hurt us. He knocks us down to help us.3) In verse 16, Jesus specifically tells Paul what he is required to do. He has been appointed to be a servant and a witness. Each of us has an appointment, a destiny, and a purpose. There is a reason for our existence and a fulfillment to it. Undoubtedly, this involves us being servants and witnesses in some capacity. Jesus tells Paul, and by extension, us, to tell people about what God has done, what God has shown, and what he is doing and showing. It's all part of the journey.

The David Spoon Experience 6-13-24 part 1

A) Worth noting is the reality that God will judge everyone who has spoken harshly against Him. Those who speak about God in a dismissive manner will discover that their words will come back to haunt them. There are no atheists in foxholes, and there will be no atheists when someone stands before God either.B) Jude concludes this section by making it clear that these individuals are driven by their own desires, and everything they do, is solely for their own benefit or gain. They flatter others not because they genuinely mean it, but because they are seeking personal gain from the flattery. While there is nothing wrong with being complimentary, it becomes problematic when it's done with ulterior motives. It's good to speak well of others but ensure that the intentions behind your words are pure.C) Speaking good things to one another is absolutely essential. Lifting up is absolutely essential. Speaking well to one another is absolutely essential. But the key is what the motive is behind it. If we're speaking in order to please the Lord, then right on. But if we are speaking for some nefarious underneath idea, that it's sin. 

The David Spoon Experience 6-12-24 part 2

1) I felt an urge from the Lord to share this specific message. We've examined it from various perspectives and will continue to do so in the future. There needs to be a mutual understanding between you, me, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit regarding our relationship. This understanding is that we are summoned to commune with God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.2) Communicating the concept of the Trinity is challenging because it involves discussing the existence of God as one entity in three forms. God is singular, and there is only one God. Understanding God's revelation boils down to understanding the revelation of oneself. You possess a body, a mind, and a heart, and you are identified by your name. Similarly, God has a mind, a heart, and a body.3) The key is to comprehend this formula: it is from the Father, through the Son, and by the Holy Spirit. God invites us to fellowship and sends Jesus Christ to us so we can grasp this communion. Jesus then resides in our hearts through faith, while the Holy Spirit takes up actual residence in our bodies. God is on the throne, the Son is at His right hand, and the Holy Spirit is present before the throne, as well as within each individual who calls upon the name of the Lord.4) What's crucial for us is to be imbued with the fullness of God. This fullness originates from the Father, but it also comes from the Son and the Holy Spirit. The key element here is that the Spirit of God is our breath in God. Without breath, we cannot live. Therefore, we need to have the love of the Father, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit continually active in our minds, hearts, and bodies.

The David Spoon Experience 6-12-24 part 1

A) “And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.” It’s often misunderstood that the Holy Spirit, manifested here on Earth, is indeed the presence of God. While our mortal and finite limits prevent us from fully understanding God’s immortality and infinity, we comprehend that the more the Holy Spirit is within us, upon us, and around us, the more God is within us, upon us, and around us.B) Remember that King David had seen God "take" His Holy Spirit away from King Saul. That doesn't mean Saul wasn't saved. Samuel told him he would be where Samuel was—Sammy's location, not his state of being. But God withdrew His Holy Spirit from Saul. Kings, like teachers (James 3:1-2), have a tougher level of judgment.