The Portable Pastor Podcast

Up, Up and Away

Revelation 3:10

Four theories concerning the timing of the Rapture. 

1. Pre-tribulation 
2. Mid-tribulation 
3. Pre-wrath 
4. Post-tribulation 

 Top 10 Reasons to Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture:

1. There is no Tribulation instruction for the church. – Rev. 6-18
2. Wrath is not assigned to the church. – 1 Thess. 5:9
3. We are looking for the return of Christ. – Titus 2:11-13; 2 Thess. 2:1-2
4. The Holy Spirit will stop restraining e...

The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3

Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7)

1. Compliment – You work hard, endure persecution, call out false teachers, and disagree with the Nicolaitans who promote Gnosticism. (2, 3, 6)
2. Complaint – Your love for God and others has taken a back seat to doctrinal purity. (4)
3. Warning – Repent or lose your opportunity to be a lampstand. (5)
4. Promise – Those showing love while doing this purifying work will be rewarded with e...

Seeing Jesus

Revelation 1:9-19

 Notice that:

1. John was one of us. (9)
2. John was given a task while worshipping. (10)
3. John mentioned seven churches. (11)

 Jesus:

1. Was in the center of seven lampstands. (12)
2. Appeared human. (13)
3. Wore a long robe and golden sash. (13)
4. Had white hair and flaming eyes. (14)
5. Had feet that looked like bronze. (15)
6. Had a voice louder than the ocean. (15)
7. Was holding seven stars. (16)
8. Used words that cut like a...

This Prophecy is For Real!

Revelation 1:1-12

 Four approaches to interpreting the book of Revelation.

1. Preterist approach 
2. Historicist approach
3. Idealist approach 
4. Futurist approach

 Notice the prophecy.

1. The prophecy is God's. (1)
2. The prophecy is for the servants of Jesus. (1)
3. The prophecy tells of what will happen. (1)
4. The prophecy was communicated to us by John. (1-2)
5. The prophecy intends blessing. (3)

 Notice the initial...

End times prophecy can be scary and confusing. It's unnerving to consider the social, physical, and spiritual turmoil that will occur during that time. It is also uncomfortable for most churches and Christians to discuss spirit realm events and beings. However, we cannot understand the end times prophecies without getting into the uncomfortable and often ignored passages of the Bible.  This podcast episode is the introductory ...

The Godly Man – His Protection

1 Timothy 6:1-2; 20-21

 Show honor to those in authority:

1. To all authorities (1)
   1. To protect the reputation of God
   2. To protect the teaching of the scriptures
2. To Christian authorities (2), 
   1. To protect the benefit of the fellow Christian.
   2. To protect your relationship with them.

Guard God’s deposit.   

1. Protect the truth. (20)
2. Protect conversations. (20)
3. Protect the Kingdom (21)

 The ...

The Godly Man – His Provisions

1 Timothy 6:17-19

 The Conviction of the Godly Rich:

1. Be humble. (17)
2. Trust God for provisions. (17)

 The Instruction to the Godly Rich: 

1. Do good things with your wealth. (18)
2. Convert wealth to work. (18)
3. Share your wealth. (18)

 The Compensation for the Godly Rich:

1. Heavenly savings (19)
2. A secure fund (19)
3. An eternal retirement (19)

 Application for the Godly Man:

1. Prioritize God’s plan...

The Godly Man – His Promise

1 Tim. 6:12-16

 Paul felt the need to remind Timothy to:

1. Fight for faith (12)
2. Live with eternity in mind (12)
3. Remember your call and promise (13)

 Keep your promises because Jesus:

1. Will come again when the Father sends Him. (15)
2. Has the highest authority. (15)
3. Will assign immortality (16)
4. Knows the truth (16)
5. Limits who will see Him (16)
6. Will be honored (16)
7. Will be in charge forever (16)

 The applic...

The Godly Man – His Pursuits

1 Timothy 6:3-11

 Flee these things.  

1. Contradictory doctrine and ungodly instruction: (3)
2. The trap of wealth (9-10)

Pursue these things: (11)

1. Righteousness 
2. Godliness 
3. Faith 
4. Love 
5. Steadfastness 
6. Gentleness 

 The outcome of pursuing the right things: (6-8)

1. Godliness 
2. Contentment 

 Application for the Godly man:

1. Evaluate what you are pursuing.
2. Enjoy contentment.

 The application for ev...

Be On Guard

1 Timothy 4

1. Guard your faith (1-5)
2. Guard your interests (7-10)
3. Guard your reputation (12-15)
4. Guard your friends (6, 11, 16)

To every young person listening, vow to the Lord to guard your doctrine, passion, reputation, and friends. Pray that the Holy Spirit will set your mind to this work. To every parent, grandparent, and guardian listening, vow to stand between your children and the world until they are old enough t...

The Godly Woman: Her Work

Proverbs 31:10-31

 The work habits of a godly woman: 

1. She is willing to work. (13)
2. Her work is multifaceted.

• She is an importer/exporter (14) 
• She is a caterer (15)
• She is an entrepreneur (16)
• She works in textiles (19)
• She runs a charitable organization (20)
• She is an interior decorator (22)

     3.  She is not lazy. (27)

     4. She deserves rewards and praise. (31)

 Takeaways for the godly woman:

The Godly Woman: Her Worth

Proverbs 31:10-31

 Worth is the value of someone measured by:

1. The high regard others assign to that person and/or 
2. The presence of godly qualities in that person's life

She-has-worth bullet points:

1. God calls her valuable. (10)
2. She will save you money. (11)
3. She will preserve your life. (12)
4. She will be a source of strength to you. (17)
5. She will elevate your reputation. (23)
6. She is praiseworthy. (28)
...

The Battle of the "R's"

Mark 12:28-34

 The Point: Proper relationships with the Lord and other people are more acceptable than any work that can be done for Him. 

Points of the passage:

The religious leaders prioritized rules. (28) 

1. To find peaceful commonality 
2. To maintain power
3. To sidestep personal sinfulness

 Jesus prioritized relationships. (29-31) 

1. To promote love.
2. To set a worthwhile goal.
3. To provide an "...

The Big Entrance

Mark 11:1-10

Points of the passage:

1. Jesus saw everything before arriving. (1-3)

• He saw what was unseeable.
• He heard what was unspoken.
• He knew the human mind.

2. The situation confirmed the divinity of Jesus before He arrived. (4-6)

• The colt was there.
• The disciples obeyed.
• The strangers consented.

3. Jesus was honored as He arrived. (7-8)

• The disciples sacrificed for Jesus.
• They guarded His presentatio...