The Bertonians

Robert Alexander Portillo
  • 5.0 (4)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Sermons, teachings, and conversations with Alex Portillo and other thoughtful voices. New episodes every Monday.

  1. FEB 17

    Coming to God: What Jesus Refused to Chase

    This is part one of an ongoing series titled The Spiritual Rhythms of Jesus. This episode studies Jesus' pattern in the Gospels of escaping to be with God. This episode seeks to answer the question: why do I feel unsatisfied, and what do I do about it? Scripture: Mark 1:35 Links: www. sanberto.com/links Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2cvhc2fyzqdmkprqf0ptx/Coming-to-God.pdf?rlkey=rdn90ukyuw5cn0ml4jh0375uc&st=8zcsxb6f&dl=0 Accompanying Essay: Not published yet Donate: www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto

    29 min

  2. JAN 28

    Son of_____: Counting the Cost of Answered Prayer

    What's in a name? And what does it cost to leave behind everything you know for something better? In this teaching, we meet a man whose name told the world God had abandoned him. When Jesus passes by, the beggar faces a question that sounds simple but cuts to the heart of faith itself: "What do you want me to do for you?" Passages explored: Luke 18:35–43, Mark 10:46-52 Links: www. sanberto.com/links Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/165gm3xh0si07l6inaj2l/Son-of_.pdf?rlkey=b7lvxic1j10e8pv84qj2cd6ql&st=96wsb1zf&dl=0 Accompanying Essay: https://www.sanberto.com/single-post/son-of Donate: www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto

    29 min

  3. JAN 13

    Here be Dragons: Faith at the Edge of the World

    Ancient maps warned travelers at the edges of the known world with a simple phrase: here be dragons. It was a way of naming fear, uncertainty, and everything no one could control. This New Year’s message invites you to stand at the edge of your own map and consider what lies beyond what feels safe. Drawing from Acts 20–28, this episode traces the final movements of Paul’s life and the unfinished ending of the book of Acts. The story closes with a single word that reframes danger, obedience, and the unknown. As a new year begins, this sermon asks a quiet but unsettling question. What territory have you avoided naming as too risky to enter? And what might faith look like when the future remains uncharted? Scripture focus: Acts 20:22–23; Acts 21:11–13; Acts 28:30–31; Hebrews 11:8 Links: www. sanberto.com/links Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yhby0luwb20k1adc7bpvb/Here-be-Dragons.pdf?rlkey=frhgctgyb7dfnfg885wkdtp6q&st=fb36swsu&dl=0 Accompanying Essay: https://www.sanberto.com/single-post/here-be-dragons Donate: www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto

    33 min

  4. JAN 1

    New Things: God Wants You To Forget This

    In this teaching, Pastor Alex explores the role of memory in the life of faith. Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to remember—but just as often, it invites us to forget, to release, and to let go. Why does God care so much about what we hold onto in our minds and hearts? And how does memory shape the way we see the present moment? This episode reflects on how memory can either ground us in truth or trap us in the past, and how God reshapes our remembering so we can discern what he is doing right now. Rather than living stuck in nostalgia, regret, or fear, this teaching invites listeners to develop a faithful memory—one that clears our vision and opens us to God’s present work. Links: www. sanberto.com/links Donate: www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto Slides: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/i2799cyes7vsr4lt7rmdq/New-Things.pdf?rlkey=r6ldj362epm0p4uhda1j76o6p&st=ydn0n7cy&dl=0

    24 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    How Long?: Learning to Wait in the Ache of Longing

    Waiting is easy when it’s inconvenient. It’s much harder when it hurts. In this Advent reflection, Alex sits with one of Scripture’s most uncomfortable questions: How long? Drawing from the opening lament over Jerusalem, this episode explores the kind of waiting that doesn’t come with quick resolutions. The kind marked by silence, loss, and longing. Rather than rushing to hope, this conversation lingers in the ache, examining why Scripture makes space for mourning, why Advent begins in the dark, and what it means to wait with courage in a culture that avoids both grief and stillness. Scripture: Lamentations 1:1 Links: ⁠www. sanberto.com/links⁠ Donate: ⁠www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto

    12 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    The Misconception of Christianity as Non-Religious

    In this conversation, Alex Portillo discusses the relationship between Christianity and religion, emphasizing the importance of recognizing Christianity as a religion rather than merely a relationship with God. He critiques the common phrase that Christianity is not a religion, arguing that it undermines the complexity of faith and the role of religion in shaping beliefs and practices. Portillo encourages Christians to engage with secular criticisms thoughtfully and to embrace their religious identity without shame.Here are some resources that can help you in creating a devotional practice: Logos Bible Software- www.logos.com/sanbertoInstagram - www.instagram.com/sanbertoalejandro Donate- www.buymeacoffee.com/sanbertohttps://www.amazon.com/shop/sanbertoalejandroDonate- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/alexportilloCHAPTERS0:00 Introduction and Context1:45 Financial Audit with Kaleb Hammer Video 2:20 Hot Take: Christianity is a religion 4:04 What is Religion? 4:27 Why do Christians say Christianity is not a religion? 6:25 Why does this Matter? 7:40 A way forward -#Bible #Biblescholar #christianity #Jesuschrist

    9 min

  7. 12/15/2025

    In Weakness: Could God Have Saved Humanity Another Way?

    In this Advent message, Alex Portillo explores the profound question of why Jesus became human, emphasizing the themes of fragility, vulnerability, and the necessity of suffering for mercy. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on the immigrant experience, he illustrates how Christ's incarnation connects deeply with human suffering and weakness, ultimately presenting Jesus as the perfect Savior who understands and empathizes with our struggles. Text: Hebrews 4:15-16 Links: www. sanberto.com/links Donate: www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto Chapters 00:00 La Sagrada Familia 02:40 The Immigrant Experience and Christ's Connection 05:18 Understanding Fragility and Vulnerability 07:28 The Nature of Christ's Incarnation 09:33 The Necessity of Suffering for Mercy 12:28 The Depth of Human Sorrow and Christ's Empathy 14:25 God's Understanding of Our Weaknesses

    21 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    Did The Bible Predict Artificial Intelligence?

    In this conversation, Alex Portillo responds to a video claiming AI is in the Book of Daniel and Revelation. He discusses the implications of knowledge increase in the end times, the misinterpretations surrounding AI, and the mark of the beast. He emphasizes the importance of understanding biblical texts to avoid deception. Here are some resources that can help you in creating a devotional practice: Logos Bible Software- www.logos.com/sanberto Instagram - www.instagram.com/sanbertoalejandro Donate- www.buymeacoffee.com/sanberto https://www.amazon.com/shop/sanbertoalejandro Donate- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/alexportillo - Chapters: 00:00 The meaning of "Knowledge Shall Increase" in Daniel 01:47 Are the Beast in Revelation Robots or Nations? 03:15 Did John mean "robot"? 04:22 The beast of Revelation 13 05:55 Did the Nephilim have six fingers and toes? 09:09 The Importance of Biblical Literacy 08:14 People Are Crazy 8:56 People Need to Read Their Bibles

    11 min
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About

Sermons, teachings, and conversations with Alex Portillo and other thoughtful voices. New episodes every Monday.

Information

  • Creator
    Robert Alexander Portillo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Robert Alexander Portillo
  • Show Website
    The Bertonians