The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 12-11-23 part 1

A) We now enter Second Timothy, which many understand is Paul’s last actual epistle. It’s dated around 66 to 67 AD. It’s probably helpful to understand that the main theme of this letter is the commitment to ministry. As Paul knows his end is getting near, he focuses on the Lord, on having faith, enduring, and never being ashamed. This is the last of the 3 pastoral epistles, as First and Second Timothy and Titus are the pastoral epistles.B) As Paul begins this epistle, he recognizes that he is facing death if that is the Lord’s will. He acknowledges that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and not by his own will. It’s probably worth noting that Saul was a great example of somebody who was pulled into the kingdom kicking and screaming, with God dragging him in since God blinded him on the donkey and said, “Now what?”C) Paul continues and says, “according to the promise of life, which is in Jesus Christ.” John mentions in his epistle that those who have the Son have life, and those who don’t have the Son don’t have life. I know many people reject Jesus because they don’t like the narrow path, but that’s going to be their downfall. Because if life is in Christ and Christ has been rejected, then they have rejected life.D) The apostle mentions that he thanks God because he’s serving God with a pure conscience. It’s not that he never does anything wrong. We can see that in multiple writings from Paul. It’s that he’s not confused in his conscience about serving God by proclaiming Jesus Christ. He also tells Timothy how much he loves him. He is a very close protégé. And for him, he prays night and day, just desiring to see him. Sometimes, a person’s presence in a room makes a difference. Sometimes, when you go to church, just being there makes a difference for others.E) What I love about verse 4 is that Paul mentions that Timothy’s faith is genuine. That means it’s authentic. That means it’s real. That means there’s no playing church, playing Jesus, or playing religion. Paul notes that this is from the grandmother, Lois, and the mother, Eunice, who have passed on the genuineness of their faith to the young minister.

The David Spoon Experience 12-8-23 part 2 (SHOW 1200)

1) I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating. Sometimes, you'll hear me use sayings or phrases that originate from less-than-excellent sources. For those who find this offensive, my response is simple: get over it. The first topic we're going to cover is called "Project Getter Er Done." The primary goal of most teachings is to help people draw closer to the Lord. As people draw closer to the Lord, they reflect His image more. But sometimes, instead of merely saying, "You can do it," you have to assertively "Just do it."2) Another timeless piece by my friend, Pastor Ray Bentley, who is happier than I am. Ray discusses the power of compassion. I miss Ray and our conversations. No, we can't communicate with the saints as that's not scriptural. However, we can recognize that the departed saints are doing awesome. To depart and be with Christ is far better. In the meantime, Ray continues to teach us all. What we discover is that compassion releases the power of the Holy Spirit.3) The Lord's blessings are incredible. We love how He pours out grace, mercy, kindness, compassion, and generosity from one blessing to another. This aspect of faith is amazing. However, there's a part of faith that we operate in that's not so incredible. After receiving massive blessings from the Lord in certain areas, we sometimes anticipate something far worse coming behind that. In other words, we live in a mindset of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Guess what? That's a sin.4) As we close out this week's shows, we take a clue from King Hezekiah. We discover that the very things Hezekiah shared with the people strengthened them and boosted their confidence. What could be more powerful than heading into the weekend strengthened in our confidence by words of wisdom? We taught part of this scripture last week under the title "To Do and Not To Do". But the next portion of the verse is the secret sauce I want you to hear. It's what we need to remember in every encounter. We will examine it and rejoice because of it.

The David Spoon Experience 12-8-23 part 1 (SHOW1200)

A) James is making a comparison between rich people and poor people. Biblically comparisons are most often “general rules.” When people are being compared, that does not mean that there are NO exceptions. But between the poor and the rich, it is more often the rich, the entitled, and the powerful who are the biggest pains in the neck. The main reason is that rich people often operate in less humility. Do you have a big-screen TV? By world standards, you are rich.B) If we actually operate in loving others as we love ourselves, we are doing well. Yes, it’s possible to love other people as you love yourself. Although it takes an act of God to get people to shift from selfishness to selflessness, it is available in Jesus. But if we prefer rich people because they can be more helpful to our own causes, we are operating in sin. Understanding favoritism is helpful. Favoritism is the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.C) Then James moves the needle. The Law has many points to it. There are the Ten main ones and a total of 613 in the Old Covenant. But the truth is that All the Laws are seen in the eyes of God as a collective. If one is dropped, chipped, or broken…then the Law as a unit has been breached, and a person is, therefore, a Law Breaker.

The David Spoon Experience 12-7-23 part 2

1) As the Apostle Paul concludes his speech to the elders at Ephesus in Acts chapter 20, verse 32, he entrusts them to God and to the word of His grace. It doesn’t take much time to understand that the word of His grace is His written word, which speaks of His grace from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21.2) What’s fascinating is what the Word demonstrates for each and every one of us. The Word of Grace is able to build us up, which is why we need to engage with the Bible as often as we can. Through this building up, the Word of Grace also gives us an inheritance because it enables us to do partnership works with God that will last forever. Moreover, the Word of Grace connects us to each other, allowing us to be separated from the world but connected to one another in this mission of the kingdom.3) Paul continues by stating that he has never coveted anyone’s possessions. He has worked hard with his hands and tried to make himself as unburdensome as possible. To illustrate how hard work enables us to help the poor, he quotes Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This is one of the few texts in the New Testament where Jesus is quoted, but it is not found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. These words of Jesus—“It is more blessed to give than to receive”—are not recorded in the Gospels. Obviously, since not all of Jesus’ words were written down (see John 21:25), this saying must have been passed on orally through the apostles.4) As he concludes this meeting with them, he kneels down and prays. Let’s abandon any pretense of dignity because there’s no room for that in true Christianity. They’re all weeping with him, and he’s weeping with them. Everyone is deeply saddened because they know they’re never going to see Paul on this earth again. It’s not that they won’t ever see him again; they just won’t see him on this planet. It’s a powerful thought, a sad thought, but also a happy thought because the next time they see him, they’ll all be dancing on streets of gold.
 

The David Spoon Experience 12-7-23 part 1

A) 2nd Corinthians 11:14 is indeed a statement for the ages. It tells us that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. The common depiction of Satan in a red suit is no more accurate than a picture of the Last Supper. While these images make a lasting impression in our minds, they don’t represent the Biblical portrait accurately. Let’s clarify something: Satan does not appear and say, “Howdy, I’m here to ruin your life. But first, I’d like to shake your hand and tell you what a pleasure it’s been to destroy you.” That’s not his modus operandi.B) The very next sentence that Apostle Paul brings up is the reality that the servants of Satan masquerade as servants of righteousness. So, before we engage in those bizarre conversations with people who have no understanding of who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are and what the Bible truly represents, we need to understand that there are servants of Satan. Not every person is a child of God. This is an absolute falsehood. Jesus spoke against this, as did the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts and God the Father in both the Old and New Testaments. Some are tares planted amongst the wheat.C) Then Paul makes an intriguing statement in verse 20 when he says you tolerate anyone who enslaves you, exploits you, takes advantage of you, exalts themselves or strikes you. It’s as though the apostle is saying from a spiritual point of view that you seem to enjoy being mistreated because you tolerate so much absurdity from people who claim they are spiritual giants. True spiritual giants never proclaim themselves as such; spiritual giants are the most humble and meek of all.D) Paul then makes an interesting contrast when he says, “I’m sorry we weren’t like this. I’m sorry we didn’t try to take advantage of you. I’m sorry we didn’t try to abuse you. I’m sorry we didn’t try to exalt ourselves over you. I’m sorry I wasn’t worse in treating you so that you could feel better about yourself and me.” It’s a beautiful way of saying, “I could have been a scoundrel, but that’s not what God wanted.” But the fact that you seem to prefer people exhibiting such behavior is its own form of malady. You answer to God first; I answer to God first; we will all answer to God first. Every shepherd is, at best, a subordinate shepherd under the Chief Shepherd. And both you and I are His sheep.

The David Spoon Experience 12-6-23 part 2

1) A massively central message of Jesus Christ is about the Kingdom of God. Dr. George Ladd coined the phrase, “The Kingdom of God is where God is the King,” but God has spoken that to others as well, including yours truly, in a Psychology class. BTW, the Kingdom of God IS THE SAME as the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of Christ, the Kingdom of the Father, and the Kingdom of our Lord.2) The idea is that the kingdom, the sphere, the realm, the arena, the place, the domain, the circumference, the dominion of God’s kingdom “is” WHEREVER God is King. But isn’t He king everywhere? His Kingship is WHERE He is wanted. His rule and His authority are everywhere. Remember that the message of Jesus was for then and for now. The kingdom is, and the kingdom is also not yet.3) The “kingdom of heaven/God” in the preaching of Jesus as recounted in the Gospels is the reign of God that he brings about through Jesus Christ—i.e., the establishment of God’s rule in the hearts and lives of his people, the overcoming of all the forces of evil, the removal from the world of all the consequences of sin— (4:17; Mk 1:15).[1]4) The key to understanding this is the key to accessing His Kingship. How do we access His Kingship? Jesus taught us clearly when He stated, From that time on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” in Matthew 4:17. The second key is understanding what REPENT “really” means. This is the exact same message that John the Baptist preached.5) It might be in my head, but as a Christians who goes through this walk with the Lord, I know that I need to find consistent refreshment. But because the vision that most people have about repentance is either the response to the guy with the sandwich board crying “the end of the world is near,” which is pretty close, or we identify with the monks in Monty Python’s Holy Grail movie, where they beat themselves while chanting. Either way, these images are not close to His Truth.
 
[1] Barker, Kenneth L., ed. 2020. NIV Study Bible. Fully Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.) 
 

The David Spoon Experience 12-6-23 part 1

A) As we delve into Psalm 45, we highlight some aspects that aid our understanding of its messianic nature. The opening itself is noteworthy. The author expresses that his heart is brimming with a good theme, indicating that something positive is brewing in his mind and heart. Interestingly, this song revolves around a marital setting. I mention this positively to caution us against the times when our hearts and minds are filled with negative themes. So, what theme is occupying our minds and hearts today? B) The text speaks of two parties involved - the king and the bride. Three excellent points are made when referring to the king. Those connected to the king ride prosperously, defined by riding in truth, humility, and righteousness. It’s not often you hear prosperity preached as humility, truth, and righteousness, but it’s explicitly stated in Psalm 45.C) Verse six, quoted in Hebrews Chapter one, states, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; the scepter of your righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom.” This is a direct reference to Jesus Christ. His scepter symbolizes righteousness - righteousness granted to us through His redeeming work and righteousness that He nurtures within us. The definition of His throne is that it is eternal - eternal life is found in Jesus Christ.D) The latter part of verse seven reveals that God has anointed this king. The word ‘anointed’ is synonymous with ‘Messiah’ or ‘Anointed One’. The anointing that descends upon this king, which comes from the Holy Spirit, is described as the oil of gladness. Perhaps we can interpret this as the touch from the Holy Spirit that infuses joy into our lives. While we don’t shy away from telling people about life’s ups and downs, we could do a better job explaining that fullness of joy resides in the Lord’s This was written not only to portray Jesus as the Christ but also to keep this at the forefront of His believers’ minds - us Christians.

The David Spoon Experience 12-5-23 part 2

1) In Paul's brilliant theology, he reminds Christians that the greatest thing we can do is glory in the Cross of Jesus Christ. Some pseudo-Christians claim that the cross is brutal, but it's only brutal to those who don't understand what redemption means. By that Cross, we no longer have discord with God. That is one of the most beautiful signs in life.2) Paul concludes the epistle by saying what counts is that we've truly been transformed into new people—not circumcisions or adherence to laws—but after our encounter with Jesus, we're not who we were before. Many of you can testify that after you met Jesus face-to-face, your face changed—His did not. You are now a new person, born again through the Spirit of God via the redeeming work of Jesus Christ and the gift of Grace and Love from God the Father.3) The Apostle Paul winds down the letter by writing, “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” This is a brilliant way of saying, hey, I’ve been through enough. I’ve gone through enough. I know enough Stop troubling me because I’m not exactly the way you want me to be. Wouldn’t it be amazing if Christians everywhere I thought this way about one another? Don’t trouble your brother or sister. They’ve been through enough. Be a blessing and encourage them instead.4) He concludes by saying, "The grace of Lord Jesus be with you all." The problem with too many theologians is they keep thinking that Grace is a one-time application. That could not be further from the truth of the word of God. Grace is applied initially and continually because we continually need grace. Where sin does abound, grace abounds even more. It is by Grace and Grace alone that we stand. And we should all reply by saying, “Amen.”

The David Spoon Experience 12-5-23 part 1

A) We pick up our gospel review at Matthew 15:15. This is the point where Peter asks Jesus to help them understand what He meant when He said that one is not defiled by what they eat. The biggest challenge here is for Christians to understand that there are three components to the law of the Old Testament: the moral law, the civil law, and the ceremonial law. Jesus brought an end to the ceremonial law, but not to the moral law. In fact, He made it much stronger because it's not just the actions that count, but also the thoughts.B) As Jesus explains what He meant, one can almost sense frustration, or at least a disappointment that His disciples aren't grasping that the Kingdom of God is within. Jesus makes it clear that anything that passes through the stomach comes out of the body. You eat it, your body absorbs what it needs, and discards the rest. Yes, there are better things to eat than others, but this is not what makes a person defiled.C) Jesus then explains what defiles a person. For the sake of discussion, let's recognize that the word 'defile' means to pollute, desecrate or make something unclean. It's from our hearts that come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, lies and slander. These are what defile people. They don't come from food; they come from within.D) Jesus doesn't mince words when He tells His disciples - those who are close to Him - that when these evil things come out of their hearts, these are what make their lives unacceptable to God. It has nothing to do with washing hands or ceremonial cleansing. It has to do with the darkness inside of man carried down through his sinful nature. If Adam and Eve conceived their children in sin, then everyone born after Adam and Eve inherits that same sinful nature from their rebellion in the garden.

The David Spoon Experience 12-4-23 part 2

1) We continue our in-depth exploration of the book of Genesis. I want to remind everyone that this won't be as precise as it needs to be. To achieve that, we would need about five years of teaching. We pick up from Verse 9, which describes the creation of separation between the waters of the Earth and the land masses or tectonic plates. The land emerges, and God sees it and declares it good. Here's a hint: Land is always a good investment because God isn't making any more.2) As we proceed with the third day of creation, we see that God commands the land to bring forth all sorts of grass and seed-bearing plants. The trees would also bear seed-bearing fruit. God commands it, and it happens. He speaks, and they are created - such is the power of God. He calls for the land to bring forth seed-bearing trees and plants, and they appear at His command. It's worth noting that these weren't planted and then grew into something; they all came fully matured, ready to produce more.3) Here's an interesting teaching I received from an archaeologist from the New York Museum of Archaeology. On the fourth day, God said there should be lights in the sky to separate day from night. The first point he made is that evolution couldn't have taken place because the trees and plants appeared before there was a sun, which is impossible from an evolutionary perspective.4) But back to the sun and moon, their purpose is very clear. They are signs to mark off seasons, days, and years; AND they produce light for the Earth. The greater light, which is the sun, illuminates the day. It should serve as a reminder to us all that light is greater than darkness. God testifies to this in the very planetary system we inhabit. And it's on this fourth day that God creates a true sense of time. Consider this: on the fourth day, God created time. Ponder that one for a moment. Buckle up, little buckaroos, here we go.
 

The David Spoon Experience 12-4-23 part 1

A) As we conclude another book in the New Testament, we wrap up Titus. Starting from chapter three, verse 8, Paul emphasizes to Titus the importance of maintaining good works. The objective is not that good works are what save people. However, it’s misguided to think that we shouldn’t continually strive to do good for one another. To do something good is to emulate Jesus, as the Bible states that he went about doing good.B) Next, the Apostle advises Titus to distance himself from individuals who engage in major disputes about doctrinal differences that have no impact on salvation. He equates this with the foolishness of asserting that genealogies are significantly important. In Jesus Christ’s lineage, it includes both a virgin and a prostitute.C) Verse 10 teaches that a person who is a heretic, a divisive individual, can be warned a few times, but after that, it’s pointless because it won’t make a difference. A heretic is not someone devoid of ALL truth. They possess some truth but are so fixated on it that they fail to acknowledge other truths. This person typically has a very specific and narrow viewpoint and creates divisions due to their limited perspective. D) Paul concludes this epistle by reminding people to maintain good works that can address urgent needs. When someone has a real urgent need that must be rectified and we have the capacity to do so, we should act. This is distinct from people who require continual encouragement or affirmation. This refers to an actual survival need.
 

The David Spoon Experience 12-1-23 part 2

1) Okie dokie gang, this initial teaching is going to be pretty simplistic. It has to do with 123 or A, B, and C. We’re going to discuss the process for understanding logical formations. What this means is simply A = B. B = C. Therefore, A = C. The only difference is we’re not gonna use this in the process of theoretical thought or theory. We’re going to use this in its application of the hermeneutical requirements for Bibliology. I told you it’s going to be easy. 2) Here’s an absolutely astonishing thought: every one of us who are Bible-believing born-again Christians has received an anointing from the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is through that very anointing that the Holy Spirit abides in us. And what’s even more amazing is that the Holy Spirit abiding in us has given us the gift of the greatest Teacher and Counselor that ever existed. The question is: how is our heavenly schooling going?3) We delve into the Book of Isaiah, specifically chapter 6, where we find a lesson that we should all be aware of. We love the Lord and strive to draw closer to Him. He is our grace, our mercy, our love, and also our mirror. The closer we get, the more we see where we don’t resemble Him. These moments can be challenging as they confront where we are in our spiritual journey. That’s when we need to cry out the most.4) Everybody understands that taking vitamins can be good for you. Certain vitamins do different things than other vitamins within the human body. But did you know that there are Christian vitamins that we need to be taking? The first Christian vitamin that everybody needs to take is the Christian vitamin B-1. Everyone needs to be a Christian. But there’s another vitamin that we need to take, and it’s twice a day, which means more than once a day. We will examine this unique vitamin.