This episode kicks-off a 20-week series on 1 Corinthians. Today Rick and Svea dig into the series thesis and then look at "knowing your why."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 04:47 1 Corinthians Series overview
• 06:19 Understanding Paul and looking at our own assumptions and what the original authors were trying to communicate.
• 08:33 Interesting parallels between Corinth and Rochester.
• 11:12 Delving into our 1 Corinthians series thesis and key verse.
• 13:34 Stand firm.
• 19:40 Be fearless.
• 23:32 Let love lead.
• 27:46 At the end of 16 chapters and 20 weeks, what's the goal for the church to say, "We've grown in these ways?"
• 32:53 Being in tune with our "why." The results of not knowing your why.
• 37:13 Hand-holds to help see your why.

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address in future episodes? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:40 Five questions for today's episode: 1) (04:37) God is all-knowing. He knew the fall was going to happen, why didn't he prevent it? 2) (13:21) Creation, the fossil record and the biblical timeline. 3) (23:46) Why doesn't Jesus save everyone, in reference to Matthew 22:14 - many are called but few are chosen. 4) (37:28) Jesus serving Judas at the last supper knowing his betrayal was imminent. 5) (45:29) When do we receive our resurrection body? What happens when we die?
• 04:37 QUESTION 1: God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. God knew his two masterpiece creations in His own image would rebel in self-reliance in the Garden. He knew Eve would be deceived and Adam would fail to lead his wife. God, throughout the Bible intervenes and rescues. Why not intervene and rescue at the beginning and prevent the Fall as the all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful God?
• 07:07 A biblically informed speculation: God knew all the possible outcomes to all the possible scenarios and this is the path he chose.
• 09:23 Getting practical. Why do we choose to have kids knowing they're not going to be perfect and there will be some heartache along the way?
• 13:21 QUESTION 2: How do we reconcile the fossil record and Biblical timeframe?
• 16:17 Our interpretation - Genesis 1 & 2 doesn't give a rigid timeframe. It gives an account of creation. It's not saying how and how long it stating who created and why he created.
• 21:58 Apply Romans 14: If there is disagreement on the understanding of Genesis 1 & 2, be convinced in your own mind and show grace to the other point of view.
• 23:46 QUESTION 3: Can you address Matthew 22:14, where Jesus says many are called but few are chosen? This is one of the most heartbreaking verses of the Bible for me. I desperately want to believe that God has made a way for many to be chosen. I know and believe that salvation comes only through Jesus, and I am hopeful that there are ways people accept Jesus that perhaps we cannot see from the outside, so it is not few that are chosen. Is it possible that I am misunderstanding this verse?
• 25:14 A framework for reading about parables.
• 27:52 Parables are made up stories intended to communicate truth - usually one truth. The truth of this parable is respond to the invitation appropriately.
• 29:55 What's the deal with the man dressed inappropriately for the wedding?
• 33:10 What does it mean many are invited but few are chosen?
• 37:28 QUESTION 4: Can you speak on the significance of when Jesus first instituted communion at the last supper and Judas received? He shared that with Jesus and then led him to the cross and Jesus knew that was going to happen.
• 38:40 Fencing the table.
• 39:54 This was a Passover meal instituted in the Old Testament book of Exodus.
• 45:29 QUESTION 5: When do we receive our new bodies? Is it when Jesus comes again and the rapture happens? Do we go to heaven and come back when Jesus comes back, get our new bodies and return to heaven? Do those in heaven stay there? What does revelation or other parts of the Bible reveal about this?
• 48:41 What happens to someone who dies now?

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:15 QUESTION 1: The discussion on not being able to lose one's salvation was new to me and in the end I still didn't understand.
• 03:58 John 3:16-18 It's indispensable to see Jesus as the King, the Authority, the One who is rightly holding us accountable.
• 05:41 The moment of salvation and receiving forgiveness of sin from God (justification) and living with growing into sinning less often and becoming more like Jesus (sanctification) are similar to a marriage. You are married when you say "I do" but you have the daily process of choosing your spouse.
• 08:02 QUESTION 2: What drew us to a non-denominational church such as Autumn Ridge?
• 11:45 Some of the benefits of being a non-denominational church.
• 14:04 Potential drawbacks to being a non-denominational church.
• 16:07 QUESTION 3: How do we address the fraud happening in MN as a church family?
• 17:41 All ethnicities and cultures are batting 1.000 when it comes to crime.
• 21:43 Let's remember that ALL people are made in the image of God and ALL people are flawed.
• 23:46 QUESTION 4: Mary wasn't given a choice was she? Gabriel just tells her, "You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will call him Jesus."
• 26:25 Where and when does God need permission to do something in your life?
• 29:39 Mary's response shows not only was she willing, but she was honored to be chosen.
• 32:20 QUESTION 5: Can you explain the Trinity?
• 34:39 There are a number of verses that talk about the Trinity, but the term "Trinity" never appears in Scripture. God is one being that exists in three persons. "Person" and "Being" are not synonyms.
• 40:08 QUESTION 5B: How do you know which person of the Trinity to pray to?

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 01:55 Send your questions for the podcast to podcast@autumnridge.church
• 03:18 QUESTION 1: What advice or insight would you give on silencing or at least quieting the questions of "Is God real?" or "Did Jesus really die for us?"
• 06:10 An unexpected answer: lean in to those doubts and questions. Jude 22: Be merciful to those who doubt.
• 09:52 It's not my responsibility to convince you. It's my responsibility to share with you what convinced me.
• 11:55 Hold on to profound moments and experiences with Jesus - they can be powerful motivational tools to keep on keeping on.
• 13:04 Resources: Podcasts - Undeceptions with John Dixon; Theology in the Raw with Preston Sprinkle; books on topics like the resurrection by N.T. Wright.
• 14:59 QUESTION 2: How do we reconcile once saved always saved and losing salvation? Individuals use scripture for both approaches.
• 15:33 Those two positions can't be reconciles. They are mutually exclusive. Looking at the whole of Scripture, what Jesus said, and the Epistles point to security.
• 17:50 If we could lose our salvation, we would.
• 18:05 Two passages people look at about losing salvation: Galatians 5 and Hebrews 6.
• 23:24 Passages that convinced Rick about security in Christ: John 10, Romans 8, Ephesians 1.
• 27:44 QUESTIONS 3: Can you comment on spiritual circumcision? Is this a requirement and specifically who does the circumcising of the heart?
• 29:17 Used as a symbol like a wedding ring or baptism. It's a profound symbol of something that has been done.
• 36:48 It is a synergy. We can't circumcise our hearts on our own and God won't circumcise our heart on his own even though he could; he wants a relationship.
• 38:05 QUESTION 4: How do we reconcile that we are all made in the image of God and yet we live outside of God's design?
• 40:39 Good news - we are made in the image of God. Bad news - we've all fallen short. Good news - Jesus stepped into the world to be with us and make it possible to be united with him through his life, death, and resurrection.
• 42:22 Being made in God's image we should expect that people from all walks of life will exhibit things that reflect the goodness of God.
• 48:53 The assumption that Christians "should be" more of all these good things than non-Christians. That assumption implies we're Christians because of our behavior not our Savior. We should see a trajectory of personal growth, but we shouldn't assume that Christians are the "good guys" and the non-Christians aren't. As Jesus followers, we need to be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as he did.

On this Love Is The Agenda weekend, Rick and Svea talk about our guest speaker, Dr. Walter Kim, and the message he had on living out the gospel.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:49 CIM is taking the 2025 Thanksgiving week off. During December we're going to answer your questions on ANY topic. Send questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.
• 04:07 Starting with one of Dr. Kim's questions: What am I saved for? What's the purpose of my life?
• 09:03 Live out the gospel in compelling ways.
• 11:58 The demonstration of the gospel makes the proclamation of the gospel compelling.
• 13:18 We don't always have to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel at exactly the same time. It's okay to do one at a time, but it's never okay to do only one of the two.
• 19:07 The message of the gospel. What is the gospel?
• 24:48 Thinking out loud about the gospel.
• 28:06 Living out the gospel: a couple of examples.

Rick and Svea close out the series on Acts of Leadership by looking at a powerful act of leadership: telling your story about your relationship with Jesus. No one knows your story better than you. No one will know your story unless you tell it.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:28 This passage resonated with a lot of people. It helps to take the fear out of evangelism - just tell your story.
• 05:39 Paul's genius in how he told his story: bring light.
• 08:22 Paul begins telling his story by honoring those to whom he is speaking - even though those people were of questionable character. 1) recognize dignity and 2) express respect.
• 16:35 Honoring someone may require a high degree of self-control so you don't speak what first comes to mind about that person.
• 17:43 Adopt an approach toward people that comes out of who we are becoming in Christ.
• 24:00 No one knows your story better than you. No one will know your story unless you tell it.
• 27:23 What was life like before Jesus? What initially drew me toward him? What has my life been like since Jesus?
• 29:32 We are responsible for what we contribute and we should take that seriously. We're not responsible for the result; God is.
• 33:34 Taking it from an individual level to a corporate level. The why behind some of Autumn Ridge's outreach practices.
• 42:50 Wrapping up the series on Acts of Leadership with this bow: telling your story is a powerful act of leadership that doesn't require the position of being a leader.

Rick and Svea spend much of the episode discussing Paul's warning to the church leaders in Ephesus as found in Acts 20:17-38: watch out for the wolves among you.

A warning from Rick about this episode: It may contain meandering conversation with points of lucidity in a forest of discontinuity and convoluted word salads, but it has been fun.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 03:21 Serving is leading and leadership.
• 06:35 The genius of Scripture: the same passage allowed Rick to pivot the emphasis in response to immediate needs without bending it to fit the new topic. This message's focus: Be on guard - have the back of those whom you lead.
• 10:57 Wolves prowling around as a threat to the flock: Paul's admonition then and still true today.
• 12:02 Three ways to spot a wolf: 1) they try to raise your level of fear; 2) they try to lower your level of empathy; and 3) they try to distract you from being an ambassador for Jesus and his kingdom.
• 12:21 Looking at each wolf tactic: Watch out for those using fear as a manipulator.
• 17:07 Watch out for those downplaying empathy or even calling it a sin.
• 25:33 Watch out for those trying to distract us from the primacy of Jesus.
• 29:14 How do you overcome the wolves? In every arena of your life, live as though Jesus were living your life: be with Jesus, become more like Jesus, and do as Jesus did. Who we are becoming is more important than what we do.
• 31:52 The big difference between a true representative of Jesus and a wolf: A true representative will say follow me as I follow Jesus. A wolf will try to get you to join their endeavor and impose aspects of Christianity on others so they can get more control.
• 34:31 The way of Jesus is always going to be different than any expression of the world's way.
• 35:17 Playing the movie forward.

This week the Acts of Leadership series takes us to Acts 15. Rick and Svea look at circumcision and the old covenant, the new covenant, and James' declaration in Acts 15:19, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:41 We will always have to wrestle with issues that would seek to divide us.
• 05:00 Circumcision: the sign of the old covenant.
• 11:41 Baptism: the sign of the new covenant. Comparing circumcision with baptism.
• 13:52 The new covenant is superior to the old covenant. The old covenant started outwardly and hoped it would become inward. The new covenant starts inwardly and expresses itself outwardly.
• 20:25 If salvation is by faith alone, why did James add four "conditions" on the church in Acts 15?
• 24:07 James isn't adding conditions to faith in Jesus, he's showing other practices that, if practiced, will pull their hearts away from Jesus and toward other gods.
• 36:51 The thinking process of looking at Scripture in regard to temporary, cultural application vs permanent.
• 39:21 If Paul, Peter, and James were addressing the American Church what practices might they suggest that would be helpful in following Jesus?