When John the Baptist began his ministry, he proclaimed, “The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9).

The crowd responded by asking, “What should we do then?” John’s answer? “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same” (3:10–11).

We see a similar pattern in Acts 2, where Peter’s messages about “the last days” results in a community that “sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (2:17,45).

Why does Luke link eschatology and ethics in these two passages? Why does he emphasize sharing? And how should we apply this message today?

Those are the questions I’m asking Dr. Joseph Lear in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Dr. Joseph Lear is director of Theology and Global Church Ministries at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and pastor of Preaching and Theology at Resurrection Assembly of God in Iowa City, Iowa. He is author of What Shall We Do? Eschatology and Ethics in Luke-Acts, published by Pickwick.

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This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project.

The Bible Engagement Project library includes free kids curriculum that gets kids excited about the Bible. With engaging videos and interactive lessons, Bible learning and excitement are all combined to ensure that your kids are fully engaged in the lesson and in Scripture.

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“Grief is normal,” writes Natasha Smith.

She goes on to describe her personal experience how difficult grief can be, however: “I walked around in a fog, hoping, praying, and wishing for the grief to go away. Pushing it down, pushing it away, and choosing to block uncomfortable memories. But I realized to pretend grief doesn’t exist won’t heal or fix it. So I learned to let it out in safe places, to safe people.”

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Smith about how Christians can grieve in better, healthier ways, whether they’re the people who’ve experienced a loss or they’re ministering to others who have.

I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. 

Natasha Smith is a wife, mother, and writer from North Carolina, whose work has appeared at outlets such as Her View from Home, Focus on the Family, and TODAY Parents. She is author of Can You Just Sit With Me?, published recently by InterVarsity Press.

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This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Life of Jesus.

The life of Jesus will come alive in your heart through this 12-part video series as you examine Christ’s teachings in their cultural, historical, geographical, and spiritual contexts. The series includes 12 videos and study guides, as well as full sermons for use in corporate worship.

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“In the United States, we are currently experiencing the largest and fastest religious shift in the history of our country, as tens of millions of formerly regular Christian worshipers nationwide have decided they no longer desire to attend church at all.”

So write Jim Davis and Michael Graham in their new book, The Great Dechurching. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking with Davis and Graham about what dechurching is, why it’s happening, and how churches can respond effectively. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. 

Jim Davis is teaching pastor at Orlando Grace Church and host of the As In Heaven podcast. Michael Graham is program director for the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, executive producer of As In Heaven, and a member at Orlando Grace Church.

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This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp.

MEGA Sports Camp is a unique VBS that makes it easy to reach new families, engage new volunteers, and reach unchurched kids in your community. This year kids at your MEGA Sports Camp VBS will learn how to live an adventurous life that points people to Jesus.

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