Christians At UMMC

As we move on in John, 6, the Lord addresses another situation of man.  Hunger.  Our physiological hunger is actually just a picture of our true spiritual condition.  But how does the Lord meet that?  this will be a two part series.  

John 5 describes a man that had been trying his best to fix himself.  The Lord's diagnosis and treatment is truly eye opening.

Contrary to Nicodemus, John chose to use the story of the Samaritan Woman to illustrate how God can even meet someone who's stuck in sin.  The Lord always knows how to meet each one's need.  

As a physician, we often use case studies to show a particular disease process as well as the treatment plan in order to help educate other physicians in case they encounter something similar.  In the gospel of John, John took 9 cases to illustrate 9 common problems in man and how the Lord Jesus solves them.  Join us for this 9 week series as we approach these 9 cases the same way we would approach it in medicine.

A deeper dive into one of the most iconic parables

A deeper dive into one of the most infamous parables Jesus ever spoke.

What is the moral of the story of the good Samaritan?  I've always thought that it meant, I'm the good Samaritan and I need to go and help those less fortunate than me.  What if I say that isn't exactly what the Lord was talking about here...

When a man is on his death bed, you can probably assume that his final words are going to be very important to him.  He's not going to waste his breath on trivial things, rather he will want to open his heart and speak his final thoughts.  When our Lord was about to go to the cross, what was on His heart?  The relationship between a vine and branches.  What does that have to do with us?  Actually everything!  If we see our relationship in this light, then God can have a way to gain what He is after on this earth.

Growing up in a christian family, I have to say of all the parables I read in the Bible, I was probably least familiar with this one.  After reading a few times and reading also some commentary, I realized how crucial this verse was.  What was God implying when He said that if He died, He bears much fruit?  What happens when you plant a grain of wheat in the ground?  What comes up?  I hope this word today is as much a revelation to you as it is to me.  Feel free to share with your friends!

Why did Jesus speak in parables?  Also, why did he often say, "he who has an ear, let him hear?"  Didn't every person listening to him have ears?  Didn't everyone listen the words that Jesus was saying?  Maybe everyone listened, but not everyone heard what he was saying.  Parables are actually very significant in Jesus' ministry because through them, He actually spoke what was important to God.  It might not help with our boss or our social anxiety, but it was what was on God's heart!  That's why in these next few months, we will be getting into some of the most famous and maybe not so famous parables to see what really is on God's heart.  Today, we start with Matthew 13, the Parable of the Sower.  A very famous parable, but do we actually realize the significance of this story?  Check it out and share with your friends!

While concluding the epistles to the Galatians, Paul ends it with a corporate view.  Our relationship with God is so important!  In addition, our relationship with one another is almost as important because without the Body of Christ, God's expression on earth is still limited.  With that being said, Paul reminds us that we are always sowing seeds.  Some seeds cause our flesh and the flesh of others to grow.  Conversely, some seeds cause God to receive the glory and others to be encouraged and strengthened.  Therefore, may we not be deceived and take heed to what we sow.

Sorry for the delay!  As Paul was wrapping up his letters to the Galatians, he brought up something very practical, Spirit versus Flesh.  All the other things, the traditions of men, the religious system, the ordinances could all noticed outwardly, but the main root of the problem is this matter of the Spirit versus the Flesh.  But what exactly is walking by the Spirit?  How does it differ from the flesh and why did Paul bring up this matter of the flesh in regards to religious practices?  Even proper religious practices?

As Paul continues in his letter to his Galatians, brings up this thought of slavery.  However, in Romans, while the things that can bring us into slavery are the world and sin, here in Galatians, the thing that can bring us into slavery is the law.  If a good Christian isn't supposed to keep the law of do's and don'ts, how should a Christian live?

In the end of Galatians 4, Paul actually shows us that story of Abraham, Hagar and Sarah in Genesis 16 is actually a picture of two covenants!  In fact, these two covenants are what Paul is striving so hard to distinguish for the believers in Galatia.  Yet even today, these two covenants have massive implications for our christian life!  Check out our podcast to see what is the significant of being ones that are "children of promise."  Feel free to share with your friends if you enjoyed this podcast!

Evangelizing and discipling is a cornerstone of the Christian faith.  However, how should we do it?  How does Paul shepherd the new believers and how does that compare to us?  How does it compare to our Lord Jesus?  

Often as Christians, you hear the term "Born Again."  But when you ask someone what that means, the actually mean you're adopted.  However, what does the Bible mean when in John 3, Jesus said "that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."  Furthermore, in Galatians 4:6, Paul addresses us as sons of God.  Why is this important?  Join Christian and I as we explore what the Bible means when it states that we are truly sons of God.

In the Old Testament, the blessing of Abraham was the good land.  In fact, one of the main themes seen in the Old Testament was the children of Israel fighting to get into the good land and staying in the good land.  But through the divine revelation, Paul sees that the good land is actually just a picture of the Spirit!  To the Israelites, the land was literally everything!  However, what is the Spirit to us?  Join Christian and I as we open this matter of the Spirit!

As Paul continues to fight against the strong religious atmosphere in Galatia, he brings up this matter of faith in contrast to the works of law.  What is this faith that he is talking about?  I submit that he isn't talking about having faith that you'll score the winning touchdown or having faith that your project will succeed.  Rather, the faith in Galatians 3 is much more crucial not just for our initial salvation, but also our going on in our Christian life.

In contrast to a Christian life that is focused on keeping the law, Paul shows a different way to live the Christian life.  A life that is fully dependent on God.  A life that is not according to law but according to faith.  This is why Paul was so strong and passionate about this issue. What about us?  Do we see this?  More importantly, do we live in this way?  May God open our eyes to see that this what the Lord Jesus was talking about in the gospel.

in says in Galatians 2:11 that Paul opposed Peter straight to his face.  What could have caused Paul to have such a strong reaction against Peter?  Was it something worldly?  Maybe it was something sinful? What can we learn from these two wonderful brothers?  Check out the podcast below to see our attitude toward the truth as well as our need for constant fellowship

In his testimony, Paul shared an interesting contrast.  He contrasted his previous life as a leader in Judaism, to his current life as a Jesus lover!  But if you think about it closely, how did Judaism, a religion founded in God become one that opposed God?  What implications does that have for our Christian life?  Join Christian and I as we dissect Paul's word in Galatians 1.

In Paul's writings, we often see that there are many things that oppose Christ.  For example, we see that sin, the world, our flesh all can be stumbling blocks to our christian life.  But, what is the focus in the book of Galatians?  What is the present evil age that Paul is speaking about?  Would it shock you if it was religion?  And not just any religion, but the God given Judaic law mixed with faith in Christ?  Join Christian and I open a new podcast series about the book of Galatians!

At the conclusion of this epistle, Paul gives us the secret on how to be free from anxiety regardless of his situation.  It's Christ!  But not what Christ gives, nor just the knowledge of Christ, rather Christ Himself!  Join Christian and I as we wrap up this marvelous epistle with some of our own experiences as well!

Do not be anxious about anything?  What is Paul talking about here.  How can we be anxious about nothing when all the situations around us are so chaotic?  What if I told you the secret to being free from anxiety is not related to the outward situations.  Rather, according to the Bible, it has to do with how deep your roots are.  Check out our podcast to see Paul's secret to a life full of forbearance, without anxiety.  Music by Praise the Lord.

Paul was a saved man!  He has accepted Christ as his savior and his eternal destiny was safe.  However, he wasn't satisfied.  He wanted more.  In fact, Paul uses words like "strain," and "press on."  What was Paul straining for?  What was he pressing on toward?  

For many christians, the Lord's resurrection was an amazing historical event.  Through His resurrection, His offering of Himself as our sin offering was confirmed and thus salvation was available for us! Hallelujah!  However, to Paul, Christ resurrection was much more than that.  It was a power that He wanted to know and experience, even in prison!  What does that mean?  What does that look like?  

Paul was a top pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews, and a perfect law keeper.  Yet he was willing to lose it all in order that He may gain Christ!  What a pattern for us!  But, what does it mean to gain Christ?  Check out the podcast to see God's true heart's desire!

This is the 3rd time in the book of Philippians that Paul has emphasized "like souled."  In the previous few verses, Paul asked that the believers would be "joined in soul, thinking the one thing."  He also asks them to be one in spirit, striving together in "one soul."  Why is this so important and what does this have to do with our experience of Christ.  Join Christian and I as we dive into the significance of being one souled as it pertains to Christ.

Philippians 2 gives us a wonderful pattern of our Lord Jesus Christ!  His love for us that caused Him to step out of eternity to come and give himself for us.  However, Paul wasn't just giving us a history of lesson, he starts off the story with this phrase, Let this mind be in you.  How is that possible?  Should we just try harder to humble ourselves like the Lord did?  Or was Paul implying something else?  Join Christian and I as we open the first half of Philippians 2 to see how letting the mind of Christ be in us is akin to working out our own salvation.

In the case of the believers' manner of life, Paul emphasizes that they stand firm in one spirit and strive together with one soul!  What does this mean? Moreover, how do we stand firm in one spirit and strive together with one soul?  Join Christian and I as we search through the scripture to see that this matter of oneness might be one of the most crucial things that was mentioned by the Lord Jesus.  Music by the youth from southern California.

When I think of salvation in prison, my concept would be that salvation would be getting out of prison.  However, in Philippians, Paul's definition of salvation has nothing to do with getting out of prison, rather it has to do with something much more crucial.  Join Christian and I as we see what Paul means and how this can apply to our daily life.  Music by trndywndy

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a prison? The suffering, the pressure, the isolation.  How do you overcome that?  How do you get out?  Well, Paul was literally stuck in a prison, yet if you read the first few verses you can't tell that he's there.  He wasn't in despair, rather, he was full of joy.  He wasn't concerned about his poor situation, rather he was interested in the believers' growth in Christ.  How did Paul do that?  Join Wesley, our M1, student as we open these verses up to see how Paul was able to overcome his outward situation.  Music by William Jeng.

Welcome back to the UMMC Bible study podcast.  We are now starting our Philippians podcast and I hope you enjoy this series as well as our others.  The book of Philippians is different than Ephesians and Colossians, because while Ephesians and Colossians reveal the depth of God's plan and His eternal Will, Philippians focuses on experience, but not just any experience.  The experience of Christ!  Join Christian and I weekly as we open this marvelous epistle and look to the Lord to show us what it means to live Christ.  

After a wonderful journey through the book of Romans, a summary is absolutely needed.  From our seeing that the book of Romans is actually a completion of the gospel of God to our learning how to live according to the Spirit with our spirit, these truths must become more than fact, they must become our experience.  In addition, what can we say about the Body of Christ?  Join Christian and I as we summarize this glorious book!  music by Singing Praises to Him.

(Sorry about the week delay but this matter of practically living as a member in the Body of Christ is huge and we had to get it right.)  We've focus on this matter of the vision of the Body of Christ for the past two weeks but what about practically?  How do we live as a member of the Body of Christ?  Better yet, why does this matter?  What's the consequence if we neglect this matter?  Join Dr. Paul Redmond and I as we look into the Word to see what's so significant about living as a member of the Body and why it's actually a focus of the entire Bible rather than a side note.

In Romans 12, Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.  In Philippians, Paul takes this a step further.  Not only do you have to have your mind renewed, but it needs to be the same mind AND the same love with the other members of the Body.  How is this possible?  This matter of being of the same mind and having the same love has everything to do with the practice of the Body of Christ.  While the concept of the Body of Christ might be relatively easy to grasp, the practice of the Body is much deeper.  Join Christian and I as we look to God to open up this matter concerning the practice of the Body of Christ.  Music by William Jeng

The Body of Christ is one of the most mysterious topics in the entire Bible.  Of all the pictures Paul could choose to describe our relationship with one God AND one another, why the Body of Christ?  Why is it so central in our Christian experience and why is our experience and vision of the Body of Christ so superficial and absent?  Join Christian and I as we explore this amazing fact that was a key piece in Paul's ministry.  Music by Erica Chao

Of all the pictures to show our relationship with God, Paul chooses to use grafting.   First of all, what's the significance of grafting and how does this explain our marvelous relationship with God?  Join Christian and I as we look at Romans 11:17 from the context of the entire Bible.  Music by Sunny.

In Romans 9, Paul refers to us believers as vessels.  What is Paul alluding to when he says this?  Why is it important for us to see that we are vessels and what does this have to do with calling on the Lord?  Join Christian and I as we explore Romans 9 and 10 to see just how rich God is to all who call on Him!

Romans 8:28 is probably one of the most used verses in the Bible next to John 3:16.  However, many people only read the first part of Romans 8.  It applies to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  What does "all things" have to do with His purpose?  Join Christian and I as we open up this famous verse to see what Paul is really trying to say here.

When the Bible says that you are a child of God, what comes to your mind?  While most of us are taught that we should be thankful that we are adopted by God, the divine revelation in the Bible goes much deeper than that.  Join Christian and I as we go through the Bible to see what it truly means to be a child of God.  Music by William Jeng

Paul discovered a wonderful fact in Romans 8, that the way to be free from the law of sin and of death is by the law of the spirit of life!  But, he continues on.  There's something more wonderful than just being free from the law of sin and of death!  Paul discovered that God dwells in you!  What does that mean to you?  When you read the Spirt of God dwells in you, what comes to mind?  Join Christian and I as speak concerning this wonderful fact of Christ in you!  Music by the Cooley's

A few verses ago, Paul was crying out "wretched man that I am!"  He was stuck! He couldn't get free from his sin, yet here in Romans 8:2, he found the secret!  He found the way to get free from the law of sin and death.  Join Christian and I as we open up this crucial chapter in the Bible to see what is the law of the Spirit of life and how to apply to our life today.  Music by Sunny Kang

Many Christians view Christ's death and resurrection has historical events.  Otherwise might appreciate Christ's death and resurrection as something necessary for our redemption.  While both are correct and necessary, Paul takes it a step further.  How does Christ's death and resurrection apply to you when you're stressing out in school?  How does it apply to you when you're at your wit's end on your rotations?  Join Christian and I as we open Romans 6 to see yet another aspect of Christ's wonderful full salvation.  Music by Joseph Huang

Romans 5 is a turning point in the book of Romans.  We started with a dark back ground, with no hope, but through Christ's redemptive work we have been reconciled back to God!  So, what now?  Now that you are justified and redeemed, what does the Bible say you should do now?  Join Christian and I as we explore what it means to have access back to God and to see what it means to be "saved in His life"   Music by the Cooleys

After the past 2 podcasts, we can see that we really are beyond hope.  There is nothing that man can do to save us, but praise the Lord, with man it's impossible but with God, all things are possible!  He is able to meet us where we're at and save us completely!  But how well do you know your salvation?  What do words like justified, redeemed, and propitiate mean to you?  Where does your faith come from?  Check out the pod and feel free to share with all your friends!  Share your thoughts with us on facebook! Special guest Dr. Paul Redmond!  Music by Trndywndy.

Paul follows his declaration of the gospel of God by painting quite a dark situation.  While many use these verses to debate sinful actions, what is the source of all these things?  And better yet, how does God's salvation relate to this dark background?  Join Christian and I as we seek God concerning this matter of being saved from this crooked generation (Acts 2:40).  Music by Amayzhanggrace featuring Allison and Priscilla

Welcome to the UMMC Bible study podcast.  We're excited to announce that we are starting the book of Romans!  When you hear the phrase "the gospel" or "preaching the gospel", what comes to mind?  What does that entail?  Do you ever consider the book of Romans as the gospel?  Join Christian and I as we fellowship about this matter of the gospel as seen in the book of Romans.  Music by Sing with Those

In John 4, the Lord said that whoever drinks of the water that He will give shall never thirst again!  Not only so, that water will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life!  However, in our day to day practical living, why does it seem like there is no fountain of water?  To find the answer, you have to go back to Genesis 26.  Check out the pod as we dive into this wonderful portion in Genesis 26.  Music by William Jeng.  

Abraham probably had the hardest task in history; He had to offer his promised, miraculous son back to God.  How was he able to do it?  What motivated him to obey God, even to the point of choosing God's command above all else?  Give us a listen as we fellowship concerning Abraham's experiencing God as the God of resurrection!  Music by Zoe Zhang

Sometimes the stories in the Bible are uplifting and encouraging.  Sometimes the stories in the Bible are serious and a warning to us.  While many are familiar with the story of Abraham and Ishmael, many don't realize that this story is not just a historical story, but a warning to us.  Join me and Dr. Paul Redmond as we break this story apart to see God's strong warning toward us.  Music by the Cooley's

Why are do our morning times with God feel so impersonal sometimes?  What can we learn from Abraham's relationship with God and how does that help us in our time with the Lord in the morning?  Check out the podcast as we dive into Genesis 18 to learn how to linger with God so that He can open His heart to us.  Music by Grace Nolasco.  P.S. Please excuse the background chatter.  Recording a pod in a house full of kids is always an adventure!

In Genesis 12, we see that God's appearing to Abraham caused him to leave his father's house.  Not only so, wherever Abraham went, he built an altar and also pitched his tent.  Believe it or not, God is looking for us to also live a life of the altar and the tent.  Join us as we open up these verses and see what it means to live this life and how it applies to us today!  Special guest Christian Yu.  Music by the Cooley's.

Before Abraham was called by God, he was not the father of faith.  He was full of doubts and failures.  How did Abraham go from someone who lied about his wife, not once, but twice, to someone who was willing to give up his promised son to God?  How does that apply to us today?  Thanks to Matt Howard M4 for joining the podcast!  Music by Arose.

Prior to the flood, the world was full of violence.  God called Noah to cooperate with Him, and together they ended that time and ushered in a new age.  However, at the tower of Babel, God personally came down to judge that situation.  What was so wrong that God Himself had to come and judge the people at that time?  Join us as we open this passage up to see the seriousness of Babel as well as our need to come back to God's presence.  Special guest Johnathan Marks, M3.  Music by Shiloh River.

Noah's Ark was a monumental event.  It was the main work that God was doing at that time.  What about today?  What is God's main work today, what is His Ark in our time?  Would you believe that God actually hinted at it in Genesis 2 and Paul picked it up in Ephesians 5?  May God open our eyes as we consider that God's Ark is today.  Verse references: Genesis 2:18-24, Ephesians 5:25-32, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 16:18. Music by New York City Young People.

In the time of Noah, the world situation was not good at all.  Man was essentially living as if there is no God.  However, in that dark situation, Noah was not only able to survive that environment, but even overcome the environment!  How did Noah do that?  What does it mean to find Grace?  Join us as we dig deeper into the story of Noah finding Grace.

Everyone is familiar with the story of Cain and Abel.  Most people focus on the Cain's envy or murder.  But what if I told you that the main point in this story is on worshipping God?  Join us as we discover the profound meaning in Genesis 4 and how it impacts our worshipping of God.