The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan Matthew Ruttan

This is Part 2 of 2. Part 1 was10 popular things Jesus said. In Part 2 I look at 10 un-popular things he said. His words are full of inspiration and hope! -- and also challenge and warning. All of them are true. Let's do some thinking: Do we like following a certain version of Jesus—a photoshopped Jesus who highlights what you like and crops out what you don't? Or the real Jesus of Scripture who is often so much more than we realize.

What gives someone courage? This sermon on Psalm 27 looks at the contrast between fear and the Lord being our light, salvation and stronghold, explores the relationship between "fearing God" and courage, and drives toward application in your own life. Fearing God first puts other fears second.

"Deconstruction" is trending. It's a word that is used when people radically re-think, re-shape, or sometimes even walk away from their faith. Along with Alisa Childers, Tim has written a book called "The Deconstruction of Christianity." It explains what it is, why it's destructive, and how to respond. In this episode we discuss all this and more. Tune in to understand, and to be better prepared to help people you care about.

This is Part 1 of 2. Part 1 is 10 popular things Jesus said. Part 2 (to come) will be 10 un-popular things he said. His words are full of inspiration and hope! -- and also challenge and warning. All of them are true. Let's do some thinking: Do we like following a certain version of Jesus—a photoshopped Jesus who highlights what you like and crops out what you don't? Or the real Jesus of Scripture who is often so much more than we realize.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." It sounds like a very, very good thing. But what specifically is "the peace of Christ"? What about the reference to our "hearts"? (Clearly, it's not just a muscle in your chest.) And how can that peace "rule"? If this idea is one of the most valuable things in the world which will benefit both us and the people we care about, shouldn't we be clear about what it means? This sermon explores these questions as we unpack Colossians 3:1-17.

Syncretism is blending beliefs and practices into your faith (which don't belong there). It's not that bad, is it? Yes, it is. The Colossians were blending other systems of thought, and also opening themselves to the demonic realm. This episode is a Bible study on Colossians 2:6-23.