The Acts 13 Network

The Acts 13 Network

The audio home of The Acts 13 Network.

  1. God's Kingdom Come - The Joy of the Kingdom

    15 FEB

    God's Kingdom Come - The Joy of the Kingdom

    Have you ever stumbled across something so valuable it changed everything in an instant? This week, we wrap up our Epiphany series by looking at two of Jesus’ shortest—and most provocative—parables from Matthew 13: the treasure hidden in a field and the merchant seeking fine pearls. We often talk about the Kingdom of Heaven in terms of duty, judgment, or a distant "someday." But Jesus describes it as something we can trip over in our everyday lives. In this episode, we explore the vital distinction between fleeting happiness and sustaining joy. We’ll discuss how joy allowed Christ to endure the cross and how that same joy acts as a "North Star" for us, helping us look beyond momentary afflictions to the restoration of all things. Whether you feel like a "pearl hunter" intentionally seeking truth or just a hiker who happened to find a box of gold in the woods, this conversation is a reminder that the Kingdom is for everyone—and it is right in our midst. In this episode, we discuss: The Czech Hikers: A modern-day treasure story that mirrors Jesus’ parables. Joy vs. Happiness: Why one is based on circumstances and the other is based on hope. The "Yellow Car" Effect: How what we fixate on determines what we see in a broken world. Finding the Kingdom: Practical ways to train your eyes to see God’s presence in the "helpers" and the small moments of your day. Preparing for Lent: Moving from the joy of Epiphany into the reality of a King who is crucified.

    26 min
  2. God's Kingdom Come - The Scandalous Guest List

    8 FEB

    God's Kingdom Come - The Scandalous Guest List

    Is your "circle" too small? On this Super Bowl Sunday, we’re trading the playbook for a prayer. While millions gather around TV screens and buffet wings, we’re diving into Luke 14 to look at a different kind of party: a high-stakes dinner where Jesus flips the table on social etiquette and religious comfort. In this episode, we explore the "Scandal of the Gospel." Jesus isn't just offering tips on where to sit at a wedding feast; He is challenging the very foundation of who we choose to do life with. We often view the Pharisees as the villains of the New Testament, but as we’ll discover, they are often a mirror for the modern believer—deeply committed, well-meaning, and incredibly prone to keeping the "wrong people" at arm's length. In this episode, we discuss: The Pharisee Mirror: Why modern Christians have more in common with 1st-century Pharisees than we’d like to admit. The Influencer Trap: How the ancient struggle for "seats of honor" parallels today’s obsession with social media status. The "Triple Dog Dare": A radical challenge to move beyond "polite" hospitality and toward the messy, costly, and beautiful work of expanding your table. If you’ve ever felt comfortable in your social circle, this episode is a call to get uncomfortable. It’s time to find the people hiding in our midst and invite them in—not because they can repay us, but because they are image-bearers of the Divine. Key Verse: "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." — Luke 14:13-14

    29 min

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The audio home of The Acts 13 Network.