Shows
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 20, Death is DeadToday’s passage presents to us a sobering picture of judgment. We don’t always want to think about the wages of sin and the ultimate punishment of hell. Yet here we have hope in Christ who has done away with death and has brought us into new life.You can subscribe to By Faith Alone on Apple podcasts or on Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-07-2435 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 19, A Great CelebrationIn this chapter we find a great celebration of the marriage supper with the Lamb. After the promised judgment of Babylon, it can seem like a long time until God takes care of wickedness and avenges the suffering. Yet here we thank God that a great Hallelujah of praise happens in heaven and Jesus Christ becomes our great champion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-07-1734 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 18, The Rise and Fall of BabylonWe are living in Babylon - a world that is against God and his ways. We see so many evils in the world that we live in. But in Revelation 18, God calls us to come out of Babylon. What does it look like for a Christian to live in this world but not of it? That can be a challenge, but God calls us to flee from sin and embrace the salvation that we find in Christ. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...2025-07-0135 min
By Faith Alone Podcast1 John 5:1-12, Faith in the Son of GodFaith in the Son of God is all about believing in Jesus. It’s a faith that is given to us by God. It’s a faith that results in the life lived for the Lord. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-06-1125 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 15, The Song of the LambWhat we explore today is that the reality that we find on earth often has its opposite in heaven. When believers suffer on earth - they are rewarded in heaven. And when the wicked enjoy a comfortable life here on earth - they will one day be judged. Today we see a beautiful picture of the redeemed standing in victory and singing the song of the Lamb. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-06-0132 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 14, Whose Mark do you Bear?In life we belong to the Lord or we belong to the devil. We bear the mark of the one we belong to. Jesus will gather all people - some to eternal life, and some to eternal wrath. Let us repent and come into the kingdom of God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-05-2834 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 13, God Preserves His ChurchPersecution still exists against the church today. The forces of evil attack Christ’s church and kill the saints. Yet Christ chose us in him before the foundation of the world. Though suffering is real and the body they may kill, our souls belong to Christ forever. We are called to rejoice in suffering and trust in Christ who died to save his saints. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-05-2129 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 12, Our Heavenly AdvocateThe church of Jesus Christ often seems small and weak, especially in a time of suffering. Revelation 12 is a picture of the battle that’s been going on since creation between the offspring of the devil and the offspring of the woman. What we find is that the accuser can no longer be present in the heavenly council but is sent to the earth. Though he may cause suffering, he cannot take away the eternal salvation and security that believers have in Christ. Today let us thank God that we have a heavenly advocate in Jesus Christ, the righteous on...2025-05-0828 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 11, The Faithful WitnessToday we are reminded that Christ’s church is both attacked on the outside and at the same time is eternally secure. John is told to measure the temple in a similar manner as we see in the book of Ezekiel. What is measured is under the divine protection of the Lord. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-05-0529 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 15:40-16:8, Behold the Resurrected ChristIn this closing chapter of Mark, the gospel writer specifically draws attention to the fact that a group of women who followed Jesus were witnesses to everything that had happened. They had witnessed Jesus’ death on the cross. They had witnessed his body being placed in the tomb. And when they came to the tomb on that Sunday morning, they had been witness this his body was not there. They were witnesses in two senses to his resurrection. Not only did they personally witness that Jesus was no longer dead, but they also had the task to witness - to...2025-04-2230 min
By Faith Alone PodcastPsalm 31, A Prayer for the Rescuing KingPsalm 31 is a prayer asking for a king to rescue and save. David prays for God to be a rock of refuge, a strong fortress to deliver him. On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered into Jerusalem humble and riding on a donkey. But Jesus truly was the rescuing king who was an answer to the prayer that David had prayed so many years before. Even in all our distress, we need to pray for this same rescuing king. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...2025-04-2128 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 15:33-39, The True Son of GodIt’s important to know why it is we belong to a church. We might belong for all the wrong reasons - good programs, a friendly atmosphere, or a great youth group. But this passage show us another reason for belonging - that is, confessing that Jesus is the True Son of God. The Centurion saw the way Jesus was crucified, he saw him cry out in forsakenness before God, and he saw the way that he died with a loud voice. And he declared that truly this man was the Son of God. Let us then confess him as...2025-04-1327 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 15:1-32, The Crucified KingThis week we see that Jesus is brought to trial not just from the religious authorities, but also from the governing authorities, the Roman governor. He is silent before them, he is condemned, he is scorned, and he is crucified. Yet in all of this, he is king. Notice these verses of Mark 15:Verse 2: And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”Verse 9: And he answered them, saying “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?”Verse 12: And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do...2025-04-0630 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 14:51-72, The Rejected OneWhile Jesus was undergoing a trial, Peter was going through one of his own. Would he be true to Christ or not? We are too much like Peter. When the pressure gets too great, we deny Jesus. Yet thank God that though Jesus was unjustly convicted, he is the Son of Man, God himself. He is able to rescue us to the utmost because he himself bore our sins so that we might live for righteousness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access...2025-04-0335 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 14:12-50, The Passover LambThere are times when we make promises to our Lord to be loyal and faithful to him. We promise not to betray him but commit our lives to him. Yet often we fail in this promise. When we sin we have given up wholehearted devotion to him but have gone our own way. Yet we can thank God that in today’s message, Jesus is the true Passover Lamb. On the occasion of the Passover he dined with his disciples and instituted his Supper, offering his own body and blood that is poured out for those who trust in hi...2025-03-2337 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 14:1-11, The Anointed SaviorThe events in this part of the gospel of Mark show us the final moments leading up to Christ’s death. The ruling body plots to kill Jesus, but not during the Passover. Mary does a beautiful thing by breaking the jar of perfume and anointing Jesus with it. Her costly love of the Lord outweighed any thought of what others thought and demonstrated how much she valued her Lord. Judas agrees to sell out Jesus because of the evil desires of his heart. God sees all and knows all. He knows who loves him and who hates him. Is...2025-03-2130 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 13:24-36, People Get ReadyWhen can we expect Jesus to return? We don’t know. Even the Son does not know the day or the hour. Yet God’s people need to be ready for the time when the Master returns. We can do that by doing good, by being willing to suffer, and by looking to Christ to come in and dine with us forever at his banquet table. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-03-1130 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 10:1-11, A Mystery Is RevealedOn the day when the seventh trumpet sounds, the mystery will be revealed. God reveals his word to his servants - a message that is received or rejected, a message of gospel hope or rejection. In the fullness of time, the true mystery has been revealed in Jesus Christ when all things will be united to him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-02-2827 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 9:1-21, Accepting the OfferThere is often so much suffering and destruction that we see in our lives. Because of spiritual warfare, there is much more going on behind the scenes that we don’t always see. Revelation 9 shows us some of this spiritual warfare. When the fifth and sixth trumpets are blown, the demons of the bottomless pit are allowed by God to be released, and many are allowed to kill. In the end the survivors of all of those things have an opportunity to repent but they remain in their sin. Will we accept the offer of repentance and God’s grac...2025-02-2126 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 8:1-13, A Defeat or a Victory?Today’s passage reminds us that the judgments that God brings can either be good or bad, depending on where one stands. According to Article 37 of the Belgic Confession, the judgment of God is horrible and dreadful to wicked and evil people, but it is very pleasant and a great comfort to the righteous and the elect. God calls his people to pray faithfully because God hears our prayers for his kingdom to come. He also calls us to repent and to seek Christ for salvation. This is a public episode. If you would li...2025-02-1330 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 7:1-17, Sheltered in His PresenceAs there is a pause from the seals of judgment, we see here a beautiful picture of the multitudes in heaven. Those in Christ are sealed with the mark of Christ on them. They are protected even though they suffer. The unnumbered multitude, from every tongue, tribe, and nation are those who have overcome and finished the race. Though they have suffered, here they are sheltered and protected and now they worship before the throne. They are given Christ’s robes of righteousness. May we look to the ascended Christ and make it the goal of our lives to be...2025-02-0725 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 6:1-17, The Waiting WitnessesWhen the six seals are opened, we see a picture of much destruction. Yet on the fifth seal, we see these waiting witnesses, the martyrs who have been killed for their faith. They wonder how long until they are avenged. Yet they are told to rest and to wait a little while longer. The saints that have died before us are in the presence of Christ, but they wait because Christ has not finished his redemptive work yet. In the mean time, we are called to live for Christ and his return. This is a public...2025-02-0336 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 5:1-14, Worship the LambA dystopia is an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering and injustice. The beginning part of Revelation 5 has John weeping, because no one in heaven or earth is able to open the scroll. It’s a picture of what the world would be like without God’s redemptive plan. Do we marvel in our own part of this suffering, in our own sense of sin apart from a mediator? We can thank God that we do have a mediator who is the lion of Judah and the root of Jesse, the lamb who was slain.2025-01-2025 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 4:1-11, Praise for the KingIn Revelation 4 the door to heaven is opened and we see that the Lord is king over all creation. We witness a great throne room and we see the living creatures and the 24 elders praising God. The elders lay aside their crowns because they acknowledge God alone as the true king. All creatures should give praise to our eternal God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2025-01-1626 min
By Faith Alone PodcastIsaiah 9:6, Luke 2:1-14, Romans 5:1-11, Jesus is Prince of PeaceIn a world of enmity, we certainly need a savior who will be our peace. Ultimately the peace we need is not from this world, but a peace between God and us. Praise God that at just the right time, Christ came as a baby at Christmas so that we might be reconciled to God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-12-2732 min
By Faith Alone PodcastIsaiah 9:6-7, John 8:31-59, Jesus is Everlasting FatherEven though fatherhood in this world is broken by sin, the fatherhood of God is amazing. The qualities of the coming Messiah promised in Isaiah’s day was that he would be like a loving father who lasts forever. Christ has adopted those who believe in him into his family forever. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-12-1928 min
By Faith Alone PodcastIsaiah 9:6, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Jesus is Mighty GodEven though God’s people had failed because of sin, we have a Messiah who is a mighty God. He loves us with an everlasting love and turns our record of sin into joy. Let us rejoice in what God has done in a mighty way. Let us know the depths of his love and the way that he has redeemed us. Let us rejoice that one day God will gather together his people to save them for all eternity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...2024-12-1732 min
By Faith Alone PodcastIsaiah 9:1-7, Romans 11:25-36, Jesus is Wonderful CounselorIsaiah 9:6 has for well-known names that describe what the coming Messiah would be like: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. In a world that is disconnected and cut off, this messiah is a wonderful counselor. The promised child is wonderful because he does great things and he is beyond understanding. And he is counselor because even though he is God himself, he is accessible to us. Jesus comes to us to give us his great counsel. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...2024-12-0828 min
By Faith Alone PodcastPsalm 100, A Call to Give ThanksOld hundredth is a beloved psalm of praise that calls people to give thanks to God, for he is good and worthy of our thanks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-12-0624 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 3:14-22, Zeal for the AmenRich Laodicea is very much like today’s church; affluent but spiritually deprived. This church is lukewarm and because of that it lacks anything useful. Yet Christ calls his church to be repentant and to put their trust in Jesus who offers the free gift of salvation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-11-2629 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 3:7-13, An Open Door to the KingdomThe church in Philadelphia was a suffering and powerless church. Today we might suffer from disasters, poverty, and persecution too. To this church Jesus promises the key of David, an open door, and a pillar in God’s temple. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-11-2325 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 3:1-6, Waking Up to the GospelOne of the biggest issues facing the church today is apathy. The stronghold of Sardis was once invaded by Persia because they failed to post a guard at a critical spot. God calls his church not to be sleeping but to wake up and be aware of spiritual apathy. Instead, we should repent and have a great resolve to obey the gospel with great fervor. Christ even gives us the motivation to do so; those who overcome will have their names written in the book of life. This is a public episode...2024-11-1229 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 2:18-29, The Bright Morning StarThe Church in Thyatira was the opposite of the church in Ephesus. It was good at love, but it compromised on truth and holiness. Jesus calls for this church, and us, to have a love that is increasing - more than we had at first. Yet they lacked discernment. Like Jezebel who is leading Christians astray, Thyatira allowed sin to coexist within the Christian world. Jesus calls his church to cast her out and to hold on until the end. When he does he gives his church authority over the nations. The Bright Morning Star dispels the darkness and...2024-11-0627 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 2:12-17, How to Hold FastToday we are living in the world of the church in Pergamum. This was a church that had to be warned against embracing the idolatry of the world around them. This threat is one inside the church when we tolerate the false teaching of embracing this idolatry. Christ calls us to repent, but he enables us to put sin to death. And he also promises help. He gives us his heavenly manna and his white stone with our names that are written on it. This is a public...2024-10-3127 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 2:8-11, Suffering Unto GloryThe church in Smyrna was a suffering church. This church was not corrected for wrongdoing because it was difficult to see beyond their suffering. Many churches today are persecuted, but here in North America our freedoms don’t always lead to political persecution. Yet many individuals continue to suffer. When this happens, Christ calls us to suffer unto glory - to seek the crown of eternal life. Christ’s power helps his suffering church to overcome. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subs...2024-10-2926 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 2:1-7, Love MaintenanceThe church in Ephesus was doing well at holding fast to the truth. They worked hard, they patiently endured, and they practiced church discipline to those who were evil. But one thing they did not do well was that they abandoned the love of God and neighbor that they had at first. They were called out by Christ to repent and do the work of love. Christ is warning his church to pursue both love and doctrine. In the end they are promised the tree of life. God promises that what was once lost will be restored, because Jesus...2024-10-2026 min
By Faith Alone PodcastRevelation 1:1-20, The One Among the LampstandsThe early church was a suffering church. John was banished to the island of Patmos when he received this message from the Lord that is unveiled. When we feel as if there is no voice speaking, Jesus comes to us and speaks. He gives some hard-hitting truths to his church, but he also gives them encouragement to persevere and the goal of living forever with him in paradise. Join me in this 8-part series as we unpack Revelation 1-3. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...2024-10-1527 min
By Faith Alone PodcastActs 6:1-7, Christ's Call to MercyIn Acts 6 there was a great dispute because the Greek-speaking widows were being neglected. The apostles appointed servants who were filled with the Holy Spirit to do this important work so that the elders could devote themselves to the ministry of the word. Churches ordain deacons for this important work, just as Christ calls the church to engage in mercy, serving the least of these. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-10-0735 min
By Faith Alone PodcastEzekiel 34:1-31, Christ's Call to ShepherdEzekiel 34 speaks about a group of shepherds that were in charge of the congregation and who were doing a pretty bad job at shepherding. They were feeding themselves and hurting the sheep. God comes in and promises that he is going to remove those false shepherds, and he will replace them with shepherds after his own heart. God promises to restore shepherding care to his people. Elders are appointed to care for the flock, to feed the sheep and to guide them towards Jesus. And Jesus himself promises to be the One Shepherd to ultimately provide for his sheep.2024-09-3035 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 11:27-12:44, Jesus the SaviorJesus was seen by his opponents as someone who was useless, to be thrown out like a piece of trash to be easily discarded. In the end they had him killed. Because of our own sin we, too, do not always value Jesus for who he is. In today’s passage Jesus demonstrates his great authority. He calls us to respond to that great authority by trusting in him as our great savior and making him the Lord of our life. We do that by giving our wholehearted devotion to him above all other allegiances. This is...2024-09-2033 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 11:1-25, Glory in the TempleIn Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives sits to the east, 300 feet higher than Jerusalem. For many years the glory of God had left the temple. Now with the coming of Jesus, the glory of God comes back down from the Mount of Olives and has returned once again to the temple. The question then comes, now that the glory has returned to the temple, how will we respond? Will we listen to Jesus’ command to have faith in God with a faith that can move mountains? Do we follow his command to pray faithfully? Do we follow his command to...2024-09-0936 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 10:46-52, A Beggar Seeks MercyWhen we see someone begging for money, it’s hard to know how best to help. It’s all too easy to judge them for their outward appearance and position in life. Yet when it comes down to it, we are all beggars, because we are in need of Christ’s mercy. We should get what we deserve, but Christ, in his great mercy, turns and calls sinners to himself. May we come to this merciful savior as he gently calls to us. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...2024-09-0228 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 10:17-45, Obedience TrainingWhat does Christian obedience look like? Often we think it means keeping God’s laws of love towards neighbors, of not stealing or lying or committing adultery. It certainly includes those things, but in today’s message, Jesus calls a rich young man to radical obedience, to give up everything for the sake of following Christ. Above all Jesus was calling the man to a relationship with him. Our Lord actively obeyed all of the commands of God perfectly, even submitting himself to death on a cross. Christ’s death and active obedience paved a way for people to do wha...2024-08-2731 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 10:1-12, God's Design for MarriageToday the biblical institution of marriage is under attack. Many believe that while Paul might have forbidden unchaste relationships, Jesus was more accepting. Yet what does Jesus say? He grounds his teaching on marriage in creation itself. God’s design for marriage provides gospel hope in a world of broken relationships. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-08-2129 min
By Faith Alone PodcastGenesis 17:1-16, The Covenant Promise of BaptismIf you have been baptized, how often do you think about your baptism and what it means? Baptism is God’s covenant promise to his own people. Back in Genesis 17, God first gave the covenant sign of circumcision to Abram’s family. The covenant promise begins with God’s initiative, but we also find a command to keep it and to do it. For us today that means we should live by the covenant promise and be renewed of heart. Here we trust in Christ when we are united with him in his death and resurrection and he grants to us...2024-08-1124 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 9:14-29, Faith in WeaknessThere are many times in life when we feel weak, which can be a hard place to be. Others try to encourage us by calling for us to be strong, but the weaknesses can be so overwhelming. When the disciples are unable to heal a man’s son who was possessed by a demon, Jesus listens to the father’s story. Demonic forces often take weaknesses to exploit them. Yet even in weakness we can call out to Jesus with the words of the boy’s father: “I believe, help my unbelief.” This is a public e...2024-08-0430 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 9:2-13, The Son of Man ShinesIn this part of the gospel of Mark, Jesus is transfigured before the eyes of his friends, Peter, James, and John. The shining face of Christ reflects several Old Testament passages; the Son of Man in the book of Daniel, the Beautific Vision of Moses in Exodus 33, and Elijah in 2 Kings. In this amazing story we see heaven breaking through and Jesus shining as God himself. Our calling is to listen to this resurrected Son of Man and to reflect his goodness to a dying world. This is a public episode. If you would like to...2024-07-2331 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 8:22-9:1, Seeing Jesus ClearlyIn today’s passage Jesus heals the blind man, but he doesn’t heal him all at once. At first, the man sees only partially, only when Jesus touches him again does he see things clearly. Why did Jesus heal him in two stages? It was meant to show us the type of faith that the disciples, and all of us, have. Peter confessed the true Messiah - that Jesus was the Christ. But the type of Messiah he was looking for was only partially right. Jesus wasn’t just a political ruler, he was a suffering Savior. We, too, o...2024-07-1425 min
By Faith Alone PodcastMark 8:1-21 Trust in the Giver of LifeEarlier Jesus had fed 5000 people. Now he feeds 4000. Why would he do this again? I believe this is pointing us to the disciples’ lack of belief. Jesus not only provides for those normally outside of the faith, he warns those who are close to him but who don’t believe in him, and he provides hope and eternal life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshchristoffels.substack.com2024-07-1228 min
The Messy ReformationEpisode Fifty Two: Conversation with Josh Christoffels (Part 2)Check out our website: https://themessyreformation.jasonruis.com
Check out the Abide Project: https://www.abideproject.org
We love the Christian Reformed Church; we want to see reformation in our denomination; and we recognize that reformation is typically messy. So, we’re having conversations with pastors throughout the CRC about what reformation might look like.
Intro Music by Matt Krotzer2022-01-1133 min
The Messy ReformationEpisode Fifty One: Conversation with Josh Christoffels (Part 1)Check out our website: https://themessyreformation.jasonruis.com
Check out the Abide Project: https://www.abideproject.org
We love the Christian Reformed Church; we want to see reformation in our denomination; and we recognize that reformation is typically messy. So, we’re having conversations with pastors throughout the CRC about what reformation might look like.
Intro Music by Matt Krotzer2022-01-0434 min