Kitchen Table Theology Pastor Jeff Cranston

This podcast episode explores the Gospel of Luke, one of the longest books in the New Testament. Hosts Tiffany Coker and Pastor Jeff Cranston discuss its author, Luke, believed to be a Gentile, and the impact his gospel has had on Christians for centuries. They delve into theories surrounding to whom the book was written: Theophilus' identity and his role in spreading Christianity. They also explore the importance of Luke's writing for Christians today, emphasizing its focus on both heavenly and earthly elements such as the Holy Spirit, historical facts, and people. Join Tiffany and Jeff for this inspiring conversation on how we can apply biblical truths to our lives! 


[00:04 - 07:02] Exploring Biblical Theology 
• Today's podcast episode is a brief theological overview of the Gospel according to Luke 
• Luke is the longest of the gospels, starting earlier in Jesus' life than any other and ending with his ascension into heaven 
• Luke is the only Gentile gospel writer


[07:03 - 14:14] Investigating the Theological Themes of Luke's Gospel Written for Theophilus
• Luke is believed to be the only New Testament writer who was a Gentile. 
• He dedicated his gospel to a man named Theophilus, possibly a high ranking or influential Gentile. 
• Luke wrote more of the New Testament than any other human writer, including Paul. 
• Explanation to provide a detailed historical account of Christ as the gospel was spreading throughout the Roman Empire. 
• Major theological themes in Luke's gospel include faith, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation.


[14:15 - 21:06] Discovering the Themes of Luke's Gospel:
• Heaven meets Earth is a major theme in Luke's gospel
• Historical facts and people are included in the text
• Luke presents a well researched and serious account of Jesus' life
• The plan of salvation was not a new plan, but God's plan from the foundation of the world 
• The Holy Spirit is revealed more in Luke's gospel than in the other gospels 
• Fulfillment of Christ's promises and speeches are seen in Acts 
• Prayer and prayer parables are featured heavily throughout Luke's gospel


[21:07 - 28:02] Exploring the Theme of Salvation in Luke's Gospel 
• The preeminent theme in Luke's gospel is the theme of salvation. 
• Luke uses the words 'salvation' and 'save' more than any other gospel writer.
• The mission statement of Jesus is found in Luke 10:10 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." 
• Jesus gave time to women, children, and sinners who were outcasts or second class in society. 
• Luke highlights the power of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and access to God's throne.


Quotes: 
 "The son of man came to seek and to save the lost." - Pastor Jeff Cranston 
"No matter who Theophilus was, we are grateful that he was there because it prompted Luke to write, and now all of us have the truth that he was sharing." - Tiffany Coker


Join the Conversation
We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org.   
Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.     
Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston    
Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for l

The current situation in Russia and Ukraine has many people asking if we’re living in the end times. What role do Russia and Ukraine Play in eschatology? In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Jen Denton continue our series on Eschatology and dive into the roles that Russia, Iran, and other northern countries play a role in the end times. 


[00:01 - 04:27] Russia and the End Times 
Does Russia’s unprovoked invasion into Ukraine play a significant role in the events of the end timesBible scholars often say Russia plays a big part in the end times The Battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38, 39)[04:28  - 08:12] The Battle of Gog ad Magog 
Gog is a person, and Magog is a place, territory, or nation Gog is from the land of Magog and is the leader of Tubal and Meshech Gog will plan to attack Israel The Lord God is against Gog and will defeat Him Why Russia is believed to be Magog [08:13  - 12:25] Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Found in Prophesy of the End Times?
Not NecessarilyThe Bible does NOT prophecy Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Israel should always be aware of potential attacks from the northWhere do these events fit into the eschatological timeline The first half of the tribulation [12:26  - 18:58] The Identities of Gog and Magog
The origin of Magog, the grandson of Noah Magog’s descendants settled in the far north of Israel Gog and Magog mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and in Revelation are different [19:00  - 22:49] Closing Up 
Head over to https://www.jeffcranston.com for info on his books, sermons, leadership notes, and blog postsWe’ve surpassed 25,000 downloads! Thank you for listening! 

Key Quotes
“Gog will attack and then be defeated by God Himself in the mountains of Israel. And the Bible says in Ezekiel 39, that slaughter will be so great, it will take seven months to bury all the dead.” - Pastor Jeff Cranston


Resources Mentioned
Got Questions: What are Gog and Magog?

 Join the Conversation        
We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org.    
Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.       
Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston    
Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

This week Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker are discussing the Old Testament book of Leviticus. They will explain how under the Old Testament law, people were kept from God due to their sinfulness and uncleanliness. Yet, through different sacrifices, rituals, and cleansings found in Leviticus, God was not giving up on his people as he worked to draw them near. We will learn more about the symbolism behind blood throughout Leviticus, which serves as a reminder of our own sinfulness before God yet also speaks of Jesus. 
We are discussing the Old Testament book of Leviticus, It is often seen as a difficult book to understand, but with our conversation today, we hope to provide a better understanding of its importance and how it points to Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.




[00:04 - 06:42] The Fascinating Story of the Bradley Brothers' Stash
 • A marble bust of a dower-looking man was found in 2018 at a Goodwill store in Austin, Texas, and was later identified as a 2000 year old Roman bust. 
 • Before World War II, two brothers stashed 30 wads of five and one pound notes totaling 130,000 pounds (over 2 million US dollars today) in their high


[06:42 - 13:45] Uncovering the Deeper Truths of Leviticus
• The book of Leviticus was written by Moses between 1446 and 1406 BC
• Leviticus contains instructions and laws to help the Israelites worship and live as God's holy people
• Chapters 1-6 deal with sacrifices, 7-10 with priests, 11-15 with laws, and 16 with the Day of Atonement 
• Genesis shows us humanity ruined,


[13:45 - 20:45] Discovering Christ in Leviticus
• Priest foreshadowing Christ can be found in Leviticus
• Law shows us how much we need Jesus
• Major theological themes include holiness, feasts, Passover, Pentecost and Jesus
• Sinfulness, fallen condition, and blood are also major themes
• God's holiness and mercy are highlighted throughout the book 
• Sin separates us from God, and our physical bodies make us unclean and unacceptable to God


[20:45 - 25:41] Exploring Leviticus
• Under the Old Testament law, humans were separated from God due to their sinfulness and uncleanliness. 
• God provided a way for them to be reconciled to Him through sacrificial offerings. 
• Blood is a major theme in Leviticus, reminding us of our own sinfulness before God and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 
• Justification and sanctification are discussed in Episodes 54 and 55 of Kitchen Table Theology. 
• The real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it.




Key Quotes: 


 "Doctrine is rightly received when it takes possession of the entire soul and finds a dwelling place in shelter in the most intimate affections of the heart." - Pastor Jeff Cranston


 "Genesis shows us humanity ruined, Exodus shows us humanity redeemed, and Leviticus shows us humanity worshiping."




Resources Mentioned:


Article: "6 Unexpected Treasures Found in Curious Places"
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/treasures-in-strange-places


Which Translation of the Bible I Prefer: Episode 29 - https://kitchentabletheology.buzzsprout.com/1011436/5735002-029-bonus-which-translation-of-the-bible-i-prefer


Justification: Episode 54 - https://kitchentabletheology.buzzsprout.com/1011436/8389400-054-justification


Sanctification

In this episode, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker delve into the Gospel of Mark. The Gospel of Mark emphasizes Jesus as a servant who shows compassionate service to people through his miracles. Our hosts discuss why the book was written and provide some background on its author, John Mark, whose style differs from other biblical authors in that he emphasizes action rather than words and frequently uses the Greek word "ethos," meaning "immediately." They also highlight how the central unifying element in the mosaic of Mark's gospel is Christ himself, and its overall theme is to call Christ's followers to faithfulness and perseverance in the face of suffering and persecution.
So, grab a cup of coffee and join us at the kitchen table for an enlightening conversation on biblical theology.


[00:04 - 08:37] Exploring the Gospel of Mark
• Mark's gospel emphasizes Jesus as a servant and his authority as the Son of God
• The book is a brief synopsis of Christ's life and could have been meant for reading in one sitting

[08:38 - 17:15] Uncovering the Origins and Authorship of Mark's Gospel
• Analyzing the author of the Gospel of Mark, John Mark, a contemporary of Paul and Peter
• Mark was likely writing Peter's recollection of events
• Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and worked with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey
• The Gospel of Mark was likely written in Rome during a period of persecution against Christians under Emperor Nero
• Mark's style is different from other biblical authors

[17:15 - 25:53] Exploring the Unique Literary Features of Mark's Gospel
• Mark's gospel is a narrative with a collection of units or groupings.
• Mark uses intercalation, which means sandwiching one story within another, to interpret stories mutually.
• Triads are common in Mark's gospel, where events are presented in groups of threes and often connected to the failure of the disciples.
• The overall theme of Mark's gospel is to preserve the gospel tradition, confirm Jesus as the mighty Messiah and Son of God, and call Christ followers to faithfulness and perseverance in the face of suffering and persecution.


[25:54 - 29:09] Discovering the Heart of Discipleship in Mark's Gospel 
• Discipleship in Mark's gospel is about having a relationship with Jesus
• Fellowship with Christ marks the heart of a disciple's life
• Trusting, confessing, and following Jesus' conduct are part of a fellowship with him
• Discipleship means being prepared to face rejection as Jesus did

Resource: The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble

Quotes: 
"These are just humans. They fight, they argue... it is encouraging to see even though they are human and they have their issues, God still uses them, still works through them, still built the church with them, wrote these gospels that were inspired by God." - Tiffany Coker 

Join the Conversation


We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org
Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. 
Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 
Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston


Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

Summary: 
Join Pastor Jeff Cranston and Erin Pickering as they dive deep into the book of Revelation, covering various questions, including topics such as raptured church, martyred saints, and final judgment for unbelievers. The conversation begins with the exciting issue of Satan's release after the millennium; they also dive into where Christians go when they die pre-rapture or second coming, exploring the belief that the body goes to sleep awaiting resurrection at the rapture while the soul goes to be with Jesus in paradise or Hades. ¡Tune in to delve into some of the most intriguing questions surrounding the end times!

Highlights: 
[01:26 - 09:10] Understanding the Release of Satan and Unbelievers During the Millennium
• Satan's release at the end of the millennium is a mystery, but it will mark the end of evil and sin.
• Unbelievers will exist for the millennium even though Satan is locked up.
• Do believers who die before the rapture will await the final resurrection at the rapture?


[09:10 - 17:15] Exploring the Nuances of the Afterlife According to Christian Beliefs
• What is Hades, and where is it?
• Christians believe in different ideas about where our souls go after death
• Ar our bodies be glorified and reunited with our souls at the resurrection?
• Redemption and rapture include animals' souls?


[17:15 - 27:00] Understanding the Final Judgment and the Fate of Unbelievers in Revelation
• Discussion on Revelation 20:6 and the privileges of martyred saints during the millennium
• Explanation of Revelation 22:10-11 and the idea that God affirms the decision of those who reject Him
• Where are currently the souls of unbelievers?
• Only unbelievers will be judged at the great white throne, with Jesus as judge


Quotes: 
1. "God will use this final release of Satan to mark the end of evil and sin once and for all." - Pastor Jeff Cranston
2. "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." - Pastor Jeff Cranston
3. "As we are when we die, so shall we be forever; if I die in Christ, I will be in Christ forever; if I die without Christ, I will be without Christ forever." - Pastor Jeff Cranston


Join the Conversation
We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org
Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. 
Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 
Check-in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston
Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Erin Pickering, LCC's adult ministries director, joins Pastor Jeff Cranston to answer questions submitted during an end time series at Low Country Community Church last fall. The conversation gets off to an exciting start as they discuss the rapture and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. They delve into the context of resurrection and how it relates to Revelation. You'll learn about the different resurrections mentioned in the Bible and how they relate to the end times. 
 


[00:05 - 07:57] Exploring Challenging Theological Topics with Pastor Jeff and Erin Pickering
We discuss the release of demonic angels during the tribulation and God's purpose with them.Why context is important in understanding Revelation and eschatology


[07:58 - 15:37] Understanding the Resurrections and Reunions of Believers in the End Times
There are multiple resurrections mentioned in Daniel and RevelationJesus talked about two main resurrections: one for the saved and one for the unsavedWhen does the raptured church will reunite with believers who died or survived the tribulation? 


[15:37 - 22:36] Questions about Martyrs and the Mark of the Beast in the Tribulation Time
Are martyrs' souls conscious and aware of how they arrived in heaven?It's uncertain if unbelievers who haven't taken the mark of the beast will enter the millennial kingdom 


[22:36 - 27:59] Exploring End Times Theology 
Will all who takes the mark of the beast be in the battle of Armageddon?Will a trumpet sound before the second coming and after the tribulationThere are really gonna be Christians on earth during the tribulation? 


Quotes: 
"There will be the sound of a great trumpet when the Lord Jesus comes out of heaven in his second coming." - Pastor Jeff Cranston



Join the Conversation
We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org
Visit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. 
Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. 
Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranston
Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!