The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 1-2-24 part 1

A) We now venture into another feeding ministry, similar but not identical to the feeding of the 5000. In this instance, Jesus begins by expressing his compassion for the people. They’ve been with Him for three days and have nothing left to eat. This doesn’t mean they didn’t bring food with them; it just means they’ve run out. Jesus doesn’t want to send them away hungry, as many could faint along the way. Jesus cares about the medical side of things, which is why He’s called the Great Physician, not the great doctor. But He also cares about their tummy hunger. B) The disciples’ response is understandable. They’re in the wilderness, wondering where they’re going to find food. There are no fast-food restaurants, no food court at the mall, no food out there. Ironically, it wasn’t that long ago that they had only five loaves and two fish. So, Jesus asks, “What do you have this time?” They reply, “Seven loaves and a few small fish.” They actually had more on hand than they did during the last miracle, and this crowd was smaller. But they’ve already forgotten the power of offering it up with thanksgiving to the Father so that He can multiply it. They forgot, just like we often forget, the powerful miracles God produces for our benefit.

The David Spoon Experience 12-29-23 part 2

I always enjoy Fridays. The anticipation of the unexpected during the show and the freedom in the teaching process make it exciting. The first observation comes from Isaiah, chapter 8. Some claim that ghosts or unwholesome spirits communicate with them, a common assertion among many false prophets. However, the only way to discern the truth is through the Law and the Testimony, representing God’s written word AND sharing His impact and actions in people’s lives.2) Next, we dive into the book of Judges. There are times when God has simply had enough of egregious behavior. So, He tells the Israelites, who are being oppressed on all sides, to cry out to the gods they chose over Him. Cry out to the idols they worshipped before Him. In essence, this is a depiction of God’s people pushing Him away and God pushing back in response. But only for a short time. 3) Roger again calls in with some thoughts to share and Doctor Dave prayers for our excellent Brother Ace. Then a New Years send off!

The David Spoon Experience 12-29-23 part 1

A) As we enter into James 2:18, we have the age-old argument between people of works and people of faith. It’s really quite ludicrous. I know. I’m not talking about the singer. If a person has faith, it will be demonstrated in their life. If a person says they have faith, but there’s no evidence of that faith, then it’s just a lot of lip service. It’s not difficult to understand that faith, if you believe in Jesus, will be demonstrated by your life. If there’s nothing to show for it, it’s not—God’s fault. B) Then, using a very cool argument, James says you show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. I hope everybody is catching that because you can’t show your faith without any deeds. Your saving faith is a faith that’s continually active in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. It’s not a one and done, and you never think about it again. It's quite the opposite of this. For the saved, you never stop thinking about it.C) You believe there is a God. You believe that God is one. That’s awesome. James even says good for you, adding a little salt to his sarcasm. He says even the demons believe that. It might be hard to fathom for some people, but Satan believes in God. He doesn’t believe God. He believes in God because it’s impossible to deny God since God is the one who cast him to the Earth. And he can’t escape or do anything without God’s permission. Believing God and believing in God are not the same.D) The key to the entire argument is simply that faith works together with our actions. Those actions demonstrate the faith that’s inside of us. When Peter put his leg over the boat to step on the water, that was faith in action. Faith, in theory, saves no one. Faith in life saves everyone, as long as it’s faith in Jesus. Prayer, believing that the Bible is actually the word of God when you read it, doing anything for somebody in the name of Christ because it honors Jesus. Any of the fruits of the Holy Spirit being active in your life are the works.E) It is amazing to note that in this list that James is giving, he brings up Rahab, the harlot. It’s not the typical person you would think of operating in works that have faith since she was a prostitute. But the bottom line is, it wasn’t what she had done that was wrong that God was looking at. It’s what she had done with faith in acting towards God and His people that God counted.

The David Spoon Experience 12-28-23 part 2

1) As we resume the Book of Acts in chapter 21:1, Luke writes the details of their travel itinerary. They arrive at Tyre and go ashore to connect with the local believers. What is amazing to me as I read this is how interconnected the church was. Whenever they arrived in a new place, they would seek out people of the same faith. They did this because people of the same faith tend to be encouraging.2) Once they find the believers, they spend about a week with them. It turns out that some of these disciples were prophesying through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go to Jerusalem. This wasn't so much a prediction of the future as it was a warning of danger. As they conclude this visit with the other believers, everyone - children, men, and women from the entire group of believers - goes down to the shore to bid Paul farewell. They end their time together with prayer, reminding us that when someone shares something from the Lord with you, you still need to bring it before Him in prayer.3) After leaving Tyre, they travel to Caesarea. Waiting for them in Caesarea is Philip the Evangelist, 28 years after he ministered to the Ethiopian who was head of the Treasury in Acts 8. He's in Caesarea, serving the Lord. He has four unmarried daughters who all have the gift of prophecy. I feel sorry for Philip because having four unmarried daughters at home with the gift of prophecy against one deacon of the church is a significant mismatch for verbal space. Get it?4) While they're hanging out, another person with the gift of prophecy arrives. That's three groups in a row, so perhaps we should understand that prophecy should be a very active gift in the church. Another person named Agabus arrives from Judea. He binds Paul and says that this is what the Holy Spirit says: The owner of this belt will be bound by Jewish leaders and sent to Rome. Many people then encouraged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. That sounds graceful, but Jerusalem is where he was headed, and while the people would be grieved, it is only God who knows the full plan.

The David Spoon Experience 12-28-23 part 1

A) Two extremely cool principles arise from 2 Corinthians 11:31. The first one is the truth that God the Father is worthy of praise for all eternity. He is not just worthy of praise. He is worthy of forever praise. And because He will sustain us forever, We will be praising Him forever.B) The second principle is that Paul calls God as his witness. It’s hard to take everyone seriously who makes this claim. Especially(and specifically) when it comes from those who hardly know God and have no reflection of Jesus. But when it comes from a genuine and honorable Christian, we need to give that some more weight. In this case, Paul is sharing about his “mission Impossible” escape from the Governor. No, the government is not always correct in their persecutions.C) Unto chapter twelve: In this context, the apostle is making it clear that he knows his boasting is silliness made manifest in goofiness. But Paul notes that he has had visions and revelations. This is not “illumination,” which takes place when our lightbulb goes off when we “get” something from Revelation has to do with something new and previously unknown.D) “I know a man in Christ…”. Paul is talking about himself in the third person (God does this in Job), being caught up to the third Heaven. There is a scholarly persuasion that there are three levels to heaven. No, it is NOT Catholic. It is rabbinical in its origin. And, to some degree, affirmed by Paul in this most unique writing. Other people believe that this is heaven, heaven as opposed to the sky and the starry heavens visible from the earth.E) Whether in the body and not in the body. This does not mean that everyone can have an out-of-body experience. But it would be more plausible if you were selected to write the majority of the New Testament, shipwrecked, beaten, and targeted for proclaiming the Gospel. And even then, it would be so deep that it wouldn’t be shared for fourteen years.

The David Spoon Experience 12-27-23 part 2

1) It's been a while since I've delivered this particular message. I'm going to need everyone's patience, primarily because God instructs us to be patient with each other. If you're not patient with me, it could displease God. So, in essence, please be patient with me. We're going to discuss the concept of 'Back to the Future.' While many are familiar with this as an entertaining movie from the past, we all need to understand that we, too, have to navigate through our past, present, and future. 2) The first thing we're going to examine is the initial command from the Lord in the Book of Isaiah, chapter 43. This is a significant section with a very specific application. There are aspects of our lives that we absolutely need to remember and keep at the forefront of our thoughts. However, there are other things that we need to forget, especially those that pull us away from the Lord.3) Perhaps the best part of this entire message is that God is doing new things. When we say God is doing new things, it's new to us but not necessarily to Him. These are revealed to us as we journey through life. One thing God promises to do, both now and forever, is to infuse freshness and novelty into everything we undertake. This is because God Himself is alive, and in the freshness of His love, we find life.4) The challenge for us as we walk through life is twofold. First, we have to recognize what needs to be let go of and what needs to be held onto. Next, we need to focus our attention on what lies ahead and walk in the path that the Lord has given us. When the children of Israel came across the Red Sea, they had no way forward except through a miracle. So God provided a miracle and split the sea in half. That's what He does for His people, and that's what He'll do for you and me.

The David Spoon Experience 12-27-23 part 1

A) Get ready, little buckaroos, and hold on to your hats because Psalm 46 has entered the picture. This is another song from the Sons of Korah. Each verse presents a compelling challenge for us to draw closer to the Lord but in an encouraging way. It's crucial to understand that God has always proven Himself faithful and will continue to do so. He is our refuge, providing shelter in a storm and our strength, giving us the ability to carry on.B) Because of this characteristic of God, verse 2 makes it clear that we will not fear. If we belong to God, fear does not have to control us. When we allow a spirit of fear to attach itself to us, we must understand that it was not God who gave that to us. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).C) The psalmist doesn't stop there. He wants to ensure that we clearly understand the extent and depth of this protection and help that comes from the Lord. So he says, even if the Earth were to be removed, we should not fear. As Bible-believing, born-again Christians, our mindset is different from that of the world. We look forward to a new heaven and a new Earth. Even if the world is destroyed, it just means that our King has removed it and is ready to replace it.D) From the atmospheric wonders to the present realities, if the mountains were carried into the midst of the sea, it would be quite a sight. It would be as if the world was returning to how it was before the land appeared. But even if that happens, so what? Our King is in charge. This verse combines the imagery of waters and mountains, and it just doesn't matter with that as well.E) The song then transitions into understanding that even waters that appear to be roaring and full of trouble, shaking and swelling will bring us to the waters of joy in the city of God. This is because the holy place of the Tabernacle of the Most High will be revealed. What's important about the Tabernacle is that God is in its midst. God is in the middle. And God will help just at the break of dawn, which signifies the perfect timing for help to arrive.

The David Spoon Experience 12-22-23 part 2

1) As we venture into the unknown land, we find ourselves in need of remembering that we do not serve the Lord our God out of fear of torment. What does that actually mean? It means that you and I, as servants of the most high God, do not operate in this relationship with Him as though we are walking on eggshells, fearing that He’s waiting for us to make the smallest mistake so He can take His heavenly whip and give us a beating. If you serve the kingdom in some form of bondage, then you are not serving God at all. 2) There are times when I teach like this, and people get upset, but that’s okay. If it doesn’t resonate with you, I understand. But it does resonate with God’s people because His word declares that it does. Too often, we think of our connection to God as only corporate. That means we believe that God only accepts you because He’s accepting everybody else. He died for you personally, not just because He died for everybody else. God does many things for many people. The key is understanding that you are one of those people. 3) We close our week out with a classic teaching on how ridiculous it is to consider that in the economy of God, things are just random. We fail to understand that God takes what seemingly appears random and conveniently alters it to be a divine appointment. We conveniently forget that God is the king of the universe, and He knows every nuance of everything, always. An important thing to remember is needlepoint. This is one of the best pictures to help us “get a grip."

The David Spoon Experience 12-22-23 part 1

1) Welcome to our Friday show, where you can expect the unexpected. As Dave prepares to share the word of God from the Book of James, the Holy Spirit takes an unexpected turn. This diversion is prompted by a light-hearted question from our dear brother Sergio. He asks Dave about the best Jewish food that should be recognized as a staple in Jewish cuisine. Dave wholeheartedly endorses one particular dish.2) Next, Dave discusses Christmas - the good, the bad, and the ugly. This conversation isn’t about personal decisions on whether or not to celebrate the holiday. Instead, it focuses more on whether we’re judging others based on their agreement with us. You may enjoy celebrating, or you may not. Either way, you shouldn’t impose your stance on others, nor should you let them impose theirs on you. Remember, you stand before the Lord, answer to the Lord, and live for the Lord.

The David Spoon Experience 12-20-23 part 2

1) I’m going to break the rules by not following our usual traditions. We normally don’t teach about the times and the seasons, but today I will. So this is a Christmas message. If you don’t like Christmas because of commercialism, secularism, and gift buying, then don’t celebrate it that way. But don’t impose your legalism on others. It’s absurd to think that God is angry that we honor Him on a special day. 2) The bottom line of Christmas is this: God doesn’t want to be separated from us. That’s all you need to remember. Remember what happened in the garden? Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God. And what did God do? He called their names and pursued them. He didn’t want to be separated from them.3) This is the essence of Christmas: the restoration of what was lost in the garden, the reconciliation of our separation, the renewal of our fellowship with our Creator. And this is possible only through the work of Jesus Christ. Without his birth, the separation remains. But in his birth, he is given a name that reveals God’s plan: Emmanuel, which means God with us, not apart from us.4) A bigger challenge for Christians is this: when Jesus was born, there was no room for Him at the inn. This is often the case for many American Christians. We think that Jesus is awesome, and what He did is awesome. But the truth is that we don’t make room for Him in many areas of our lives. For many people, Christmas is a time to change how we relate to God and to prioritize Him above everything else.
 

The David Spoon Experience 12-20-23 part 1

A) In verse 8, it mentions the garments are scented. Wow…does that seem a little lame? But catch this. The five senses are involved in our communion with God: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. These senses go both ways. And we (you and I) smell good to God.B) 45:10 Forget means more than leaving parents as in Gen. 2:24. The bride of a king was often from another nation, and so she had to break with her own culture to marry, just as Christians now must forsake marriage to worldly things in order to be part of the bride of Christ. There are times to let go of the old and dwell in the new and the future.C) People will seek YOUR favor and blessings. But catch the reference to Joseph. It is powerful imagery. You will be given a robe (or a coat) of many colors. Think of the love and favor that Joseph had from Jacob. That’s the favor that we have from the Lord. He adores us.D) 45:15 Gladness: Likewise, believers experience excitement and joy in meeting with Christ. See Deut. 28:47.E) 45:16 Sons: The pain of leaving the old culture is lost in the joyous expectation of seeing future generations—one’s own children—reigning with Christ (Eph. 2:6).

The David Spoon Experience 12-19-23 part 2

1) Start this week with Romans 1:6, the lesson begins by reminding us that we have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. The fullness of this monumental scripture is beyond our comprehension. God has called you to belong to Jesus. This calling is a result of God's deep love for you and me. Despite the chaos around us, it's comforting to wake up and remember that because God loves us so much, He has called us to belong to Jesus. Do you belong to Jesus?2) The apostle informs the Christians in Rome that their faith is becoming known throughout the world. It's heartening to think that our faith, our connections from the radio show, and our actions toward one another can have an impact and become known worldwide. This recognition would be the greatest compliment any of us could ever receive from God.3) One aspect that stood out to me was Paul's mention of his constant prayers for them. It's not just the frequency, but his approach that caught my attention. Paul says he brings them, and their needs before God in prayer. This suggests that when he prays, he prays for them personally and for their needs. He prays for their well-being and their provisions.