Episodes

37 minutes ago
Making the Teaching about Jesus Beautiful | Titus 2:1-10
37 minutes ago
37 minutes ago
Making the Teaching about Jesus Beautiful
According to the apostles of Jesus, the best way for Christians to fight slander against them and their beliefs is to live in such a way that the criticisms don't stick, especially with those who actually know them and live next to them and work with them. In fact, in Titus 2:1-10, Paul repeats this refrain three times, ending with the idea that by our way of life we should make the teaching about Jesus beautiful and attractive.
Titus 2:1-10
2:1 But as for you, proclaim the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
9 Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not stealing, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.
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6 days ago
6 days ago
Sound Teaching Leads to Sound Living
What are some indicators of unsound teachers in the church? Why does sound teach matter so much? In this episode of the Bible in Life podcast, John reflects on Titus 1:10-16 to answer these questions.
Titus 1:10-16
10 For there are many rebellious people, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprimand them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
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Thursday Sep 25, 2025
God's People Need Good Shepherds | Titus 1:5-9
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
Thursday Sep 25, 2025
God's People Need Good Shepherds
Shepherding is greater than leadership.
The consistent image for leaders in the Bible is shepherds. And shepherds are among the sheep. Shepherds know the sheep and the sheep know them.
Shepherds provide for and protect the sheep.
This is why churches must have good shepherds - leaders, elders, overseers who embody godly character and serve the sheep as shepherds.
Titus 1:5-9
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion.
7 For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, 9 holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
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Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Four Fundamentals of a Solid Christian Life | Titus 1:1-4
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Four Fundamentals of a Solid Christian Life | Titus 1:1-4
We never outgrow the fundamentals. This is true in sports or music or an everyday activity like driving. And it's also true in our Christian life.
In fact, when life seems overwhelming or confusing or uncertain, one of the best practices is to return to the fundamentals. As Paul opens his letter to his colleague Titus, he reminds him of 4 fundamentals of the Christian life.
Titus 1:1-4
1 Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;
4 To Titus, my true son in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
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Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement wrong?
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Thursday Aug 28, 2025
Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement wrong?
Penal Substitutionary Atonement has been understood as one aspect of what it means that Jesus died for our sins. The basic idea is this: by dying in our place, Jesus' death achieved paid the penalty for our sins.
My guess is, that sounds very familiar to you. It's been a very common and central understanding of Jesus' death. But in recent years it's become in vogue to dismiss this idea as beneath the dignity of a God of love.
So is it false?
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Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Expect Little Change Without This
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Expect Little Change Without This
In this episode John reflects on the importance of self-awareness, self-honesty, and confession for spiritual growth and human flourishing.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:
https://www.listenerscommentary.com
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Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Let's Talk about Grumbling and Complaining
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Let's Talk about Grumbling and Complaining
It's common to tell kids "to do all things without grumbling or complaining." But who reminds us adults of that?
Let's talk about it together.
Bible Passages for this Episode:
Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world
-Philippians 2:14-15
Numbers 11:1-6
1Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the ears of the Lord; and the Lord heard them and His anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some at the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people then cried out to Moses; and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died out. 3 So that place was named Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them.
4 Now the rabble who were among them had greedy cravings; and the sons of Israel also wept again and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we used to eat for free in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna!”
Numbers 14:1-4
Then all the congregation raised their voices and cried out, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the entire congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or even if we had died in this wilderness! 3 So why is the Lord bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder! Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and return to Egypt!”
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Thursday Jul 31, 2025
How (NOT) to Read Old Testament Stories
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
How (NOT) to Read Old Testament Stories
Narrative, i.e., stories, is the most common form of literature in the Bible. And there are some exciting and even wild stories in the Old Testament. But how do those stories apply to our life?
The New Testament affirms that they're written for our benefit.
Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11
"Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them."
"Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."
But how do they instruct us? How can we read Old Testament stories faithfully as the people of God today?
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Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Leaders Must be Examples of Christlikeness
In the New Testament, the most important thing about Christian leaders is their character. There is almost no discussion of what leaders do; the priority is who leaders are.
Key passages for this episode: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
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Thursday Jul 10, 2025
If God is so powerful, then why is there so much evil?
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
If God is so powerful, then why is there so much evil?
This question came in from a listener and I decided to address it immediately, because it's important and timely.
Key Bible passages mentioned in this episode.
Genesis 3:16-19
16 To the woman He said,
“I will greatly multiply
Your pain in childbirth,
In pain you shall deliver children;
Yet your desire will be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you.”
17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
Cursed is the ground because of you;
With hard labor you shall eat from it
All the days of your life.
18 Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
Yet you shall eat the plants of the field;
19 By the sweat of your face
You shall eat bread,
Until you return to the ground,
Because from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.”
Romans 8:18-23
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the eagerly awaiting creation waits for the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only that, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and daughters, the redemption of our body.
Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
For another episode where I explore this topic:
https://www.johnwhittaker.net/podcast-1/episode-151
Free 30 Page eBook to help you Hear and Heed the Bible:
Support this ministry:
Set up a recurring monthly or a one-time donation at the link below.
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The Listener’s Commentary - In-depth teaching through books of the Bible to help you learn the Bible for yourself:
https://www.listenerscommentary.com
Connect with John:
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If you've been helped by this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.