Celebrating 2,000 Episodes: A Legacy of Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Legacy of Eternal Impact

The journey of the "Ask Pastor John" podcast is a testament to a legacy that is God-centered, Christ-exalting, and Bible-saturated. This legacy is not about personal accolades or recognition but about what is done for Christ, which will last eternally. The podcast's 2,000 episodes over 12 years reflect a commitment to providing thoughtful, prayerful, and Bible-saturated counsel to those in need. This legacy is now further extended with the release of a new book, "Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions," which serves as a comprehensive guide to the podcast's vast archive. The book aims to make the podcast's rich content more accessible, serving both current listeners and future audiences who have yet to discover the podcast. [01:44]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can contribute to a legacy that is centered on Christ and His eternal impact today?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Words

The "Ask Pastor John" podcast and the new book highlight the unique power of the spoken and written word in ministry. The living voice of the podcast carries the affections of the heart, aiming to impart new Christ-exalting affections in its listeners. This aligns with the very purpose of the Bible, which is to transform hearts and minds through the power of God's word. The podcast and book serve as tools to communicate biblical wisdom and truth, encouraging listeners to develop a deeper relationship with Christ. [11:34]

"So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use your words today to encourage and uplift someone in a way that reflects Christ's love and truth?

Day 3: Navigating the Richness of Biblical Wisdom

The new book serves as a guide to navigate the extensive podcast archive, making it more accessible for listeners seeking biblical answers to life's questions. With over 250 hours of content, the archive can be daunting to navigate, but the book distills the most popular topics into digestible chapters. This resource is designed to help both current and future listeners find the biblical wisdom they need, serving as a bridge to connect people to the wealth of knowledge contained in the podcast. [05:47]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need guidance from God's word, and how can you seek out that wisdom today?

Day 4: The Joyful Responsibility of Teaching God's Word

Teaching God's word is a joyful yet trembling work, as it carries the weight of responsibility. The joy comes from the privilege of immersing in God's word for the sake of His people, fulfilling the call to share His truth. The "Ask Pastor John" podcast and book are rooted in this joyful work, aiming to bless and inspire listeners with a God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated life. This joyful responsibility is a reminder of the privilege and honor of knowing and teaching God's word. [08:40]

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (James 3:1, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace the joyful responsibility of sharing God's truth with others in your daily interactions?

Day 5: Prayers for a Christ-Centered Impact

The book and podcast aim to reach both current listeners and those who have yet to discover the content. The prayer is for the book to serve as a bridge, introducing new audiences to the podcast and its Christ-centered message. This vision is rooted in the desire to impart new affections in its listeners, aligning with the purpose of the Bible. As the journey of "Ask Pastor John" continues, the hope is that the podcast and book will continue to bless and inspire, carrying forward the happy melody of a God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated life. [13:24]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can introduce to the transformative message of Christ, and how can you take a step towards doing that today?

Sermon Summary

Reflecting on the journey of the "Ask Pastor John" podcast, we celebrate a milestone of 2,000 episodes over 12 years. This endeavor, which began as a temporary project, has grown into a significant part of our ministry, embodying a legacy of being God-centered, Christ-exalting, and Bible-saturated. The podcast was never about us; it was always for Christ, aiming to provide thoughtful, prayerful, and Bible-saturated counsel to those in need. This legacy is now further extended with the release of a new book, "Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions," which serves as a comprehensive guide to the podcast's vast archive.

The book was born out of a desire to make the podcast's rich content more accessible. With over 250 hours of content, the archive can be daunting to navigate. The book distills the most popular topics into digestible chapters, offering a resource that can be easily referenced. This project was a labor of love, taking two years to compile, and it aims to serve both current listeners and future audiences who have yet to discover the podcast.

As we look to the future, we hold two prayers: first, that the book will help current listeners navigate the podcast more effectively, and second, that it will introduce new listeners to the podcast. We envision this book as a bridge, connecting people to the wealth of biblical wisdom contained in the podcast. The living voice of the podcast, with its Christ-exalting affections, aims to impart new affections in its listeners, a goal that aligns with the very purpose of the Bible.

The journey of "Ask Pastor John" is a testament to the power of the spoken and written word in ministry. It is a joyful work, rooted in the privilege of knowing and teaching God's word. As we continue this journey, we pray that the podcast and the new book will continue to bless and inspire, carrying forward the happy melody of a God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated life.

Key Takeaways

1. centered, Christ-exalting, and Bible-saturated legacy. This legacy is not about personal accolades but about what is done for Christ, which will last eternally. [01:44]
2. The Power of the Written and Spoken Word: Both the podcast and the new book highlight the unique power of the spoken and written word in ministry. The living voice carries the affections of the heart, aiming to impart new Christ-exalting affections.

3. Navigating a Vast Archive: The new book serves as a guide to navigate the extensive podcast archive, making it more accessible for listeners seeking biblical answers to life's questions. This resource is designed to help both current and future listeners.

4. A Joyful and Trembling Work: Teaching God's word is a joyful yet trembling work, as it carries the weight of responsibility. The joy comes from the privilege of immersing in God's word for the sake of His people, fulfilling the call to share His truth.

5. Prayers for Impact: The book and podcast aim to reach both current listeners and those who have yet to discover the content. The prayer is for the book to serve as a bridge, introducing new audiences to the podcast and its Christ-centered message.

** [01:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Podcast Origins
[00:40] - Reflecting on 2,000 Episodes
[01:07] - Legacy of Faith
[02:03] - God-Centered Ministry
[03:35] - Introducing the New Book
[04:13] - The Book's Genesis
[05:20] - Compiling the Book
[06:00] - Endorsements and Impact
[07:19] - The Weight of Teaching
[08:40] - Joy in Ministry
[09:44] - The Joy of Collaboration
[11:12] - The Power of the Living Voice
[12:50] - Prayers for the Book's Impact
[14:28] - The Book as a Bridge
[15:17] - Where to Get the Book

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

James 3:1 - "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."
Isaiah 66:2 - "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
John 15:11 - "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Observation Questions:

What was the original purpose of the "Ask Pastor John" podcast, and how has it evolved over the years? [00:12]
How does Pastor John describe the legacy of the podcast, and what key phrases does he use to encapsulate its mission? [02:03]
What was the motivation behind creating the new book "Ask Pastor John: 750 Bible Answers to Life's Most Important Questions"? [04:13]
How does Pastor John describe the nature of teaching God's word, and what emotions does he associate with this responsibility? [08:40]

Interpretation Questions:

In what ways does the podcast aim to be "God-centered, Christ-exalting, and Bible-saturated," and why are these elements important for its legacy? [02:03]
How does the concept of "trembling at God's word" influence the approach to teaching and sharing biblical truths in the podcast? [08:19]
What role does the "living voice" play in the ministry of the podcast, and how does it differ from the written word in terms of impact? [11:34]
How do the prayers for the book's impact reflect the broader goals of the podcast's ministry? [13:24]

Application Questions:

Reflect on the phrase "only what's done for Christ will last." How does this perspective influence your daily decisions and long-term goals? [01:23]
The podcast emphasizes being "Bible-saturated." How can you incorporate more Bible study into your daily routine to ensure your life is similarly saturated with Scripture? [02:26]
Consider the responsibility of teaching God's word as described in James 3:1. How can you prepare yourself to share biblical truths with others, even if you're not in a formal teaching role? [07:39]
Pastor John speaks of the joy found in ministry. What aspects of your current service or ministry bring you joy, and how can you cultivate more of that joy in your life? [09:02]
The new book is intended to help navigate the podcast's vast archive. How do you currently seek out biblical answers to life's questions, and what resources could you explore to deepen your understanding? [05:47]
The podcast aims to impart "new Christ-exalting affections." What steps can you take to nurture a heart that is more aligned with Christ's affections? [11:55]
How can you use the concept of the "living voice" to effectively share your faith with others, ensuring that your words carry the affections of your heart? [11:34]

Sermon Clips

My parents built into me from the time I could read that's about six years old when we moved into the house I'm thinking about a passion for legacy and I didn't know that at the time I didn't know what Legacy was but that's what it was because hanging on the wall in our kitchen and it hangs behind me right now where I'm standing in my study was this motto only one life will soon be passed only What's Done For Christ will last. [00:00:57]

I believe Tony that you and I have produced as Pastor John for Christ only What's Done For Christ will last and we didn't do it for ourselves we did it for Christ we're doing it for Christ your book will be I believe part of the Fulfillment of the second half of the motto What's Done For Christ will last. [00:01:34]

God centered Christ exalting Bible saturated and I think that's what Ask Pastor John is that's the Legacy god-centered Christ exalting Bible saturated Council for people who are in need and I would underline Bible saturated because many podcasts are enjoyable conversations that people have online that's not what we've done for 10 years almost every episode is a careful expression well prepared a lot of thought gone into it of about an hour hour and a half study and thought and prayer saturated with the Bible. [00:02:06]

The Genesis of this new book came years ago when friends of ours Ministry Partners uh donors would email me asking me about some pressing question that has come up in their life and their family and their Church uh asking me for one apj episode that could answer a dilemma and I think the archive is intimidating for a lot of people uh we're up to I think 250 hours of content now and uh that grows by the week so that's a lot of content to sift through. [00:04:06]

I have high hopes that this book will prove useful uh Sinclair Ferguson in His Kind endorsement likened it to Richard Baxter's classic massive book Christian directory it's an amazing comparison for those of you in the reformed world who know what that huge book is is like and then Dr Ferguson called The apj Book quote one of those rare contemporary books that can be described as should be in every Christian Home in quote my jaw dropped when I read that. [00:05:52]

When people say nice things about our teaching we could easily Overlook what makes us tremble in this project namely James 3 verse one let not many of you become teachers for you know that we who teach will be judged that means judged by God with greater strictness wow but you and I involved in this constant Teaching Ministry take heart from God's word to Isaiah this is the one to whom I will look declares the Lord he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. [00:07:22]

Teaching is what we do yeah it's our calling it's a dangerous work it's a trembling work but oh what a happy work it's a happy work because we get to spend Untold hours immersed in God's word for the sake of God's people and Jesus said these things I have spoken to you that your joy might be full and then he told us to go share what we've heard and added it is more blessed more happy to give than to receive so it's been a happy work Tony. [00:08:30]

Clearly you and I both believe in the value of the written word and the spoken word you've reminded me of that over and over again about the peculiar nature of this kind of audible conversation that we have we've seen lives captivated for Christ through both writing and speaking we pray for that to continue to happen through both you you and I both love to write right we are writers we get our thoughts out on paper with joy it is in our godd designed bones but neither you nor I will surrender the living voice. [00:10:43]

Because the living voice carries the affections of the heart more effectively than the written word and we believe that new Christ exalting affections of the heart are the goal of this ministry the goal of books the goal of speaking the goal of Desiring God I believe it's the goal of the Bible new Christ exalting affections so ask Pastor John the book and the podcast aim to impart new affections that's what we want to happen we aim at a miracle. [00:11:34]

We pray that this book helps you who are listening to us right now you who are listening we want you to better navigate our over 200 hours of audio to find the episodes that you need when you need them and the episodes your friends need when they need them I think we can help you better serve others uh if we can help you find your way around the archive better so that's prayer one prayer two is for future listeners to this podcast. [00:12:50]

Imagine an audience of people who have never listen to apj that will come online and listen to our content in future years and decades million of people right now that's not an overstatement millions of people right now don't know that this podcast exists people in our churches in our neighborhoods people at work people wrestling with suffering people asking the most important questions in life and I want them to see quickly the ground that we've covered in the first 10 years of the podcast so that they can benefit from the archive immediately. [00:13:19]

Think of this book I write as a podcast promo made of paper and ink that you can physically hand to others end quote that thought Thrills me I can't wait to handle out copies of this book to introduce new listeners to the podcast to share with others this happy Melody this god- centered Christ exalting Bible saturated happy Melody of what this podcast is what a joy what an honor to be able to do that. [00:14:46]

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