Way of the Bible

Dr. Philip Zimmerman
  • 5.0 (35)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Way of the Bible Podcast inspires and empowers Christians of all measures of faith to simply Believe God and Follow Jesus. Dr. Philip Zimmerman (DrZ) explores the unity of the Bible and unpacks in understandable terms God’s plan for mankind and your place in God’s eternal kingdom. There are significant reasons why Jesus said “follow-me,” and blessings for simple faith obedience. Your faith in Jesus is not crazy, believing in a myth, or a genetic defect. Jesus is alive and well and has provided you everything you need for life and godliness through his Holy Spirit and by his eternal power. This podcast will encourage you to lift your head to see and embrace the narrow path of light leading to life. Equipped with the Holy Spirit, empowered by Jesus, and with direct access to God our Father discover and experience God’s will for your life – being Joyful always, Praying continually, and Thankful in all circumstances. Learn the secret to discovering precious jewels of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. Listen and be inspired today to simply believe God and follow Jesus, being filled to overflowing with the LOVE God. Let’s get started; press play and subscribe.

  1. 4d ago

    #225 Foundation for Epochs, Ages, Eras

    Episode #225 — Foundation for Epochs, Ages, Eras Signs of the Times Part 1 “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” — Matthew 24:3 With that question, the disciples opened the door to one of the most discussed—and often disputed—subjects in Scripture. Episode #225 of Way of the Bible, Foundation for Epochs, Ages, Eras, begins our new eight-episode mini-series, Signs of the Times Part 1. But before examining the signs Jesus gave concerning His coming and the end of the age, we're stepping back to establish a biblical foundation.  The Bookends of Scripture The Bible presents an extraordinary arc. Genesis begins with God creating the heavens and the earth. Revelation concludes with a new heaven and a new earth. Genesis contains the Garden of Eden; Revelation reveals the New Jerusalem where God dwells with His people. The Tree of Life appears in Genesis and reappears in Revelation. Sin introduces death and corruption; Revelation describes the removal of death, mourning, pain, and the curse. Humanity hides from God in Genesis; in Revelation, God's servants see His face.  The beginning and ending are remarkably connected. But what happens in between? That's where understanding biblical epochs, ages, and eras becomes important. Preserving the Truth The episode then considers the challenge the early Church faced as believers preserved and interpreted the apostolic writings while confronting competing teachings. Scripture itself repeatedly anticipates this problem. Paul warns Timothy about deceiving spirits. Peter warns of false teachers introducing destructive heresies. Jude urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people.”  Why does that matter when discussing prophecy? Because our interpretation of the end depends upon the foundation from which we begin. Old Treasures and New Jesus spoke of new wine and new wineskins so that BOTH the old and new wine will be preserved, and He described a teacher of the law in the kingdom of heaven is to bring out new as well as old treasures from his storeroom.  That becomes particularly important when we reach Paul's teaching about the Church and the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul describes a mystery hidden for long ages past, yet now revealed. In Colossians he expresses its magnificent reality: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  Understanding what was revealed before, what was later revealed, and how these truths fit together prepares us to approach Jesus' words concerning the end of the age. Before the Signs, Build the Foundation Eventually, we'll return directly to Matthew 24, Mark, and Luke and examine Jesus' teaching concerning the temple, tribulation, His coming, and the end of the age. But first, we're laying the foundation. As I say at the end of this episode, while the beginning and end of Scripture are relatively easy to reconcile, “the middle gets messed up without a firm foundation built on the Rock.”  That's where our journey begins. Simply Believe God and Follow Jesus.

  2. Sep 23

    #224 A Walk on the Beach w/DrZ [28]

    Episode #224 — A Walk on the Beach w/DrZ [28] Hearing, Listening, and Building on the Rock | Matthew 7:24–27 Episode #224 of Way of the Bible concludes our eight-part mini-series, Response to the Sermon on the Mount Part 2. We take our discussion outside for another Walk on the Beach, continuing our exploration of Romans 8 before returning one final time to Jesus' words about the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24–27.  Our walk begins with an unexpected discussion about lukewarmness. Jesus warned the church at Laodicea that they were neither hot nor cold. Their great danger was self-sufficiency: they believed they were rich and needed nothing while failing to recognize their true spiritual condition. Yet Jesus' response was not abandonment. He called them to earnestness and repentance.  From there, we return to Romans 8 and Paul's magnificent description of the Christian life. Creation itself groans as it awaits liberation from bondage to decay. Believers likewise wait expectantly for the redemption of our bodies. Meanwhile, we are not left alone. The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and even intercedes when we don't know what we ought to pray. Paul then reminds us that God is working in those who love Him and has purposed that we be conformed to the image of His Son. Our calling is therefore not passive Christianity. We are invited into growing intimacy with Jesus Christ and union with the Father.  Then comes one of Scripture's great declarations of assurance. If God is for us, who can be against us? Christ died, was raised to life, sits at God's right hand, and intercedes for us. Neither trouble, hardship, persecution, death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, nor anything else in creation can separate God's children from His love in Christ Jesus.  That brings our two mini-series back to where they began: Matthew 7:24–27. Jesus says both builders hear His words. The difference is their response. One puts His words into practice and builds upon the Rock. The other does not and builds upon sand. But this episode adds another dimension to that distinction: Hearing is not necessarily listening. Hearing is passive. Listening is active and intentional. Listening requires attention, understanding, and a willingness to respond. Jesus Himself tells us in Luke 8:18 to “consider carefully how you listen.”  The parable of the sower reinforces the point. The good soil represents those who hear God's Word, retain it, persevere, and produce a crop. Jesus then tells us in John 14:21 that the one who has His commands and keeps them is the one who loves Him—and to that person He promises to reveal Himself.  So perhaps the appropriate question after sixteen episodes contemplating Jesus' closing words is no longer simply: Have I heard Jesus? Rather: Am I listening? Am I retaining His Word? And am I putting it into practice? That is the path of the wise builder. That is building on the Rock. Simply Believe God and Follow Jesus.

  3. Sep 16

    223 The Truth Matthew 7 24 27

    Episode #223 The Truth | Matthew 7:24–27 What did Jesus mean when He said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”? In Episode #223 of the Way of the Bible podcast, we continue Response to the Sermon on the Mount Part 2 by focusing on The Truth upon which godly wisdom is founded. Jesus describes the wise builder in Matthew 7:24–27 as the person who hears His words and puts them into practice.  But what transforms hearing into a life built upon the Rock? We begin by returning to Romans 6 and 7 and the believer's relationship with sin. Grace is never presented as permission to continue deliberately in sin. First John reminds believers that when we sin, Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father. Yet Scripture simultaneously calls those born of God away from a life characterized by continuing sin.  This brings us to Jesus' words in John 8. Jesus tells Jews who had believed Him that if they hold to His teaching, they are truly His disciples. Then they will know the truth, and the truth will set them free. When they question what freedom He means, Jesus identifies the bondage: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” Then comes the promise: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” There is an important distinction here. It is possible to possess knowledge of the truth without intimately knowing The Truth. What is The Truth? In a name, Jesus. In an event, the Gospel. God loved the world and gave His Son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  This leads us into the magnificent eighth chapter of Romans. For those who are in Christ Jesus, there is now no condemnation. Through Christ, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set believers free from the law of sin and death. We have died with Christ, been raised with Him into new life, and received the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live before God. Paul then contrasts two ways of living. The mind governed by the flesh is death, while the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.  And here we reach the heart of this episode. Knowing The Truth isn't merely knowing facts about Jesus. It is intimately knowing Christ and possessing His Spirit. Romans 8 declares that those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. The Spirit brings about our adoption, and by Him we cry: “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children—and if children, then heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.  This brings us all the way back to Jesus' two builders. Two people can hear the same truth. One hears and responds; the other hears and does not. One builds upon the Rock. The other remains upon sand. The question, therefore, isn't simply: Have you heard The Truth? The deeper question is: Do you KNOW The Truth? Because Jesus Christ doesn't merely reveal truth. He sets us free.

  4. Sep 9

    #222 Chasing Wisdom | Matthew 7 24 27

    Chasing Wisdom | Matthew 7:24-27 What does it mean to be wise? In Episode #222 of the Way of the Bible podcast, we continue our Response to the Sermon on the Mount Part 2 mini-series by examining the wisdom of the wise builder in Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus describes the wise man as one who hears His words and puts them into practice. The foolish man also hears—but does not do what Jesus says.  That distinction takes us deep into the biblical meaning of wisdom. Job 28 describes humanity's extraordinary efforts to search the earth for gold, silver, and precious stones. Yet Job asks a far more important question: “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?” Scripture reveals a progression from knowledge to understanding to wisdom. Knowledge provides the foundational truths. Understanding brings discernment and insight—the ability to recognize how those truths apply. Wisdom is the skillful application of God's truth to life. Proverbs 24 beautifully connects all three to Jesus' imagery of building a house: “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”  But knowing and understanding what is right does not guarantee that we will do it. Paul describes this painful reality in Romans 7. We may desire what is good while continuing to do the very things we hate. Many believers know this cycle well: we understand that something is destructive, recognize where it will lead, and nevertheless surrender to it. Thankfully, Scripture does not leave us trapped there. Paul's answer is Jesus Christ. Romans 6 teaches that through our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, believers have been set free from sin's mastery. We are therefore instructed to count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus—not offering ourselves to sin, but to God as instruments of righteousness.  Jesus described this same freedom in John 8: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” True discipleship involves hearing His teaching, holding to it, knowing the truth, and walking in the freedom He provides.  This brings us back to wisdom. Job declares that wisdom is more valuable than gold, silver, onyx, crystal, coral, jasper, rubies, or any earthly treasure. Humanity cannot manufacture it or purchase it because its source is God Himself. And Job ultimately gives us the answer: “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” So chasing wisdom is ultimately chasing after God—learning His truth, discerning His ways, and then actually walking in them. Paul gives us a fitting picture in Romans 12: offer ourselves to God, refuse conformity to this world, and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Then we begin to discern and live according to His good, pleasing, and perfect will.  That is the life of the wise builder. Hear Jesus. Believe Jesus. And put His words into practice.

  5. Aug 27

    221 Being Made Wise vs Being Foolish Matthew 7 24 27

    Episode #221 | Matthew 7:24–27 What makes one person wise and another foolish? Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount with the familiar picture of two builders. The wise man hears Jesus' words and puts them into practice, building his house upon the rock. The foolish man hears the same words but does not practice them, building instead upon sand. When the storm comes, one house remains while the other falls with a great crash.  In Episode #221 of the Way of the Bible podcast, we explore a deeper question behind Jesus' illustration: How does someone become wise? Humanity has wrestled with questions of meaning, purpose, life, and death throughout recorded history. We have attempted to answer them through philosophy, human reason, mysticism, religion, and our own determination. Yet Scripture points us beyond ourselves. There is only One Way, One Truth, and One Life. Jesus prayed to His Father, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” The foundation of eternal life—and therefore of the wise builder—is knowing God through Jesus Christ.  Paul makes this connection explicit in 1 Corinthians 3. By God's grace, Paul became a “wise builder,” laying the foundation of Jesus Christ. What believers subsequently build upon that foundation matters. Our works do not purchase salvation; salvation is God's free gift by grace through faith. But how we live after receiving that gift has eternal significance.  Scripture repeatedly teaches that true wisdom belongs to God and is given by God. God gave Solomon extraordinary wisdom and understanding. Proverbs tells us that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Daniel praised God because wisdom and power belong to Him. In the New Testament, Stephen spoke with wisdom given by the Holy Spirit, while Paul tells us that in Christ are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Yet Solomon's life also provides a sobering warning. The man to whom God gave extraordinary wisdom eventually allowed his heart to turn toward other gods. The consequences of Solomon's foolishness remained generations later. His story reminds us that receiving wisdom does not eliminate our need to continue walking faithfully with God.  So where does that leave us? James gives a wonderfully simple answer: If you lack wisdom, ask God. And once God gives wisdom, walk in it. The Christian life requires continually putting off the old self and being renewed in our minds. Rather than conforming ourselves to the pattern of this world, Paul calls us to transformation through the renewing of our minds so that we may discern God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.  Being made wise, therefore, isn't merely about knowing more. It is about knowing God, remaining in Christ, receiving wisdom from Him, and then putting His words into practice. That is how we build upon the Rock.

  6. Aug 19

    #220 Stop Being Foolish | Matthew 7 24 27

    Episode #220 – Stop Being Foolish! Response to the Sermon on the Mount – Part 2 (Matthew 7:24–27) How does a believer move from hearing Christ's words to faithfully living them? Episode #220 of the Way of the Bible podcast continues our study of Jesus' illustration of the Wise and Foolish Builders by issuing a direct challenge to believers: Stop being foolish. Rather than focusing primarily on the unbelieving world, this episode examines Christ's warnings to His own church and calls every follower of Jesus to renewed faithfulness.  The message begins by revisiting Jesus' conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24–27, where two builders hear the same words but respond differently. One builds upon the rock through obedient faith, while the other builds upon sand by refusing to put Christ's teaching into practice. This contrast provides the framework for the episode's central question: What does spiritual foolishness look like in the life of a believer?  To answer that question, the discussion turns to Revelation 3 and Christ's letter to the church in Laodicea. Jesus describes believers who have become spiritually lukewarm—neither fully committed nor openly opposed to Him. They believe themselves to be rich and self-sufficient, yet Christ sees them as spiritually poor, blind, and in need of repentance. His rebuke is not intended to condemn but to restore those whom He loves.  The episode also places this warning within the broader story of Scripture. From Genesis, where humanity's rebellion brought sin and death into the world, to Revelation, where God restores creation and dwells with His redeemed people, the Bible consistently calls God's people to trust Him, reject deception, and persevere in faithful obedience. The Christian life is not merely about entering heaven but about growing into the likeness of Christ through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.  Drawing from 1 Corinthians 3, listeners are reminded that believers will one day give an account for how they have built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Paul urges Christians not to deceive themselves by adopting the wisdom of this world but to pursue the wisdom that comes from God. Spiritual maturity is measured not by knowledge alone but by lives increasingly marked by humility, holiness, and faithful service.  The episode concludes with Christ's gracious invitation: "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." His desire is not merely that believers avoid judgment but that they experience restored fellowship with Him, live as children of light, and prepare faithfully for His return.  Ultimately, Episode #220 reminds us that the call to "stop being foolish" is not a message of despair but of hope. Jesus continues to seek, correct, restore, and strengthen those who belong to Him. The question before every believer is both simple and searching: Will we continue building on the shifting sands of self-reliance, or will we once again build our lives upon the Rock who is Jesus Christ?

  7. Aug 12

    #219 Am I A Fool? | Matthew 7:24-27

    Episode #219 – Am I A Fool? Response to the Sermon on the Mount – Part 2 (Matthew 7:24–27) Who is the foolish builder Jesus describes in Matthew 7:24–27? In Episode #219 of the Way of the Bible podcast, that question becomes deeply personal. Rather than examining the foolishness of the world, this episode asks every believer to look inward and honestly consider: "Am I acting foolishly?"  Building upon the previous episodes in this mini-series, we are reminded that all humanity begins life separated from God. Scripture declares that every person is born into sin, spiritually foolish, and unable to rescue themselves. Yet the gospel proclaims God's incredible mercy. Through Jesus Christ, believers are saved, justified by grace, renewed by the Holy Spirit, and given the hope of eternal life.  But salvation is not the end of the journey. One of the central themes of this episode is that Christians can still act foolishly when they ignore God's Word or attempt to live according to the flesh rather than the Spirit. The Apostle Paul's correction of the Galatian believers demonstrates that even sincere followers of Christ can drift from walking by faith into relying upon themselves.  The message then turns to Ephesians, where Paul calls believers to live as children of light. Instead of returning to old patterns of sin, Christians are encouraged to reject immorality, greed, deception, bitterness, and every form of darkness while pursuing gratitude, holiness, truth, and obedience. This is not presented as a way to earn salvation but as the natural outworking of a transformed life.  The episode also highlights an often-overlooked truth in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: God's purpose extends beyond simply bringing people into heaven. Christ has given leaders to equip His people for works of service so that believers may grow into spiritual maturity and "the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Spiritual growth is the lifelong pursuit of increasing union with Christ through faithful obedience.  Episode #219 concludes with an encouraging reminder: every Christian is capable of moments of foolishness, but through the Holy Spirit we are continually invited to walk wisely, practice what Christ has taught, and build our lives firmly upon the Rock. The question remains before each of us: Am I hearing Christ's words... and putting them into practice?

  8. Jul 30

    #218 The Foolish Man | Matthew 7:24-27

    What does Jesus mean when He speaks of the foolish man who built his house upon the sand? Episode #218 of the Way of the Bible podcast continues our study of Matthew 7:24–27 by examining one of the most sobering descriptions found anywhere in Scripture. While the previous episode explored the source of true wisdom, this message focuses on the opposite question: What makes a person spiritually foolish?  Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by presenting two builders. Both hear His words, both build houses, and both experience the same storm. The critical difference is not what they heard but what they did with what they heard. The wise man built upon the Rock by responding in obedient faith, while the foolish man rejected God's foundation and built upon sand.  To understand this contrast, the episode traces a consistent theme throughout the Bible. Moses warned Israel against abandoning "the Rock" who had redeemed them. Joshua reminded the nation that God's promises are certain and that rejecting His covenant carries consequences. David declared, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God,'" revealing that foolishness begins not with ignorance but with a heart that refuses God's authority.  The discussion then turns to Romans 1, where the Apostle Paul describes humanity's progression away from God. Although God's eternal power and divine nature are evident through creation, people exchange the truth for lies, worship created things rather than the Creator, and persist in rebellion. These choices illustrate the pattern of the foolish builder—a life established on self rather than on God.  Yet this episode is not merely a warning. It is also a message of hope. Paul reminds believers that every Christian was once spiritually foolish. Through the mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ, sinners are rescued from darkness, justified by grace, and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Becoming wise for salvation happens the moment a person trusts Christ, while growing in wisdom continues throughout a lifetime of discipleship and sanctification.  The episode also emphasizes that Christians should remember their own past when interacting with those who remain spiritually blind. Rather than responding with pride or condemnation, believers are called to share the gospel with gentleness, respect, and compassion, always prepared to explain the hope found in Christ. Ultimately, Jesus' illustration is about far more than two houses. It is about two eternal destinies. Every person is building upon some foundation. The question each of us must answer is simple yet profound: Are we building our lives upon the Rock who is Jesus Christ, or upon the shifting sands of human wisdom and self-reliance? Episode #218 invites listeners to examine that foundation carefully and to discover the lasting security found only in Christ.

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About

Way of the Bible Podcast inspires and empowers Christians of all measures of faith to simply Believe God and Follow Jesus. Dr. Philip Zimmerman (DrZ) explores the unity of the Bible and unpacks in understandable terms God’s plan for mankind and your place in God’s eternal kingdom. There are significant reasons why Jesus said “follow-me,” and blessings for simple faith obedience. Your faith in Jesus is not crazy, believing in a myth, or a genetic defect. Jesus is alive and well and has provided you everything you need for life and godliness through his Holy Spirit and by his eternal power. This podcast will encourage you to lift your head to see and embrace the narrow path of light leading to life. Equipped with the Holy Spirit, empowered by Jesus, and with direct access to God our Father discover and experience God’s will for your life – being Joyful always, Praying continually, and Thankful in all circumstances. Learn the secret to discovering precious jewels of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ. Listen and be inspired today to simply believe God and follow Jesus, being filled to overflowing with the LOVE God. Let’s get started; press play and subscribe.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Philip Zimmerman
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    228
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Way of the Bible
  • Show Website
    Way of the Bible