60 Second Christianity

What significance did the magi's gifts have for Jesus?

When the wise men from the east came to visit Jesus, they brought gifts. What significance did the magi's gifts have for Jesus? In Matthew 2:11, the magi present Jesus with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were valuable. The items themselves had intrinsic value. But in addition, they just were symbolic. Gold signified Jesus’ kingship, frankincense highlighted His role as our High Priest, and myrrh, used in burial rituals, foreshadowed His death and burial. These treasures acknowled...

But, how many wise men visited Jesus, and when did they arrive?

Just about everyone has heard the story of the Magi visiting Jesus. Most often it’s depicted as a group of three. But, how many wise men visited Jesus, and when did they arrive? Contrary to popular belief, the Bible doesn’t specify the number of wise men or magi. Matthew 2:1 says, “Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem.” Their arrival wasn’t immediate; it was likely months after Jesus' birth. They saw “his star” and followed it. This was not a typical star. God did something unique and sp...

What does Mary’s offering for purification teach us about Jesus?

What does Mary’s offering for purification teach us about Jesus? Luke 2:24 tells us that Mary offered “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” for her purification. This was an offering that God required after a woman gave birth. Mary, who had given birth to God Himself, did this as well. It shows that Mary, though bearing the sinless Son of God, needed purification. She couldn’t afford a lamb for a sacrifice. She and Joseph were of humble means. But she held the Lamb of God in her arms...

Why did Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple?

Why did Mary and Joseph present Jesus at the temple? Luke 2:22 says, “When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.” This ceremony, something that Jewish families did at that time, was a ceremony of redemption. It acknowledged God's ownership of Israel's firstborn. Joseph and Mary paid the redemption price, fulfilling the law's requirement. This act demonstrated their obedience and dedication, recognizing...

What was the significance of Jesus' circumcision and naming?

What was the significance of Jesus' circumcision and naming? Luke 2:21 says, “At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” This ceremony of circumcision was a command from Genesis 17. It would have identified Him with Abraham's family and the Jewish people. Circumcision was something that every Jewish bot experienced. The name Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves,” was announced, highlighting His divine mi...

Luke 2:8-10 tells us that

Why did God choose shepherds to announce Jesus' birth? Luke 2:8-10 tells us that shepherds were keeping watch over their flock when an angel appeared, announcing the birth of Jesus. To the people of that time, shepherds were considered unclean and lowly in society. They were the lower class of people. Yet God chose them to be the first to hear the good news. This choice highlights that the gospel is for everyone, regardless of status. It also reminds us that God often uses the humble and ove...

What significance does the humble birth of Jesus have for us today?

What significance does the humble birth of Jesus have for us today? Luke 2:7 tells us, “She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Jesus, the Savior of the world, was born in the most humble of circumstances. That aspect of Jesus’ life highlights His humility and accessibility. His birth in a manger reminds us that God came to earth in a relatable and approachable way. Do you ever feel lik...

What are you willing to sacrifice to obey God’s plan?

What are you willing to sacrifice to obey God’s plan? Joseph’s obedience to God meant sacrificing his personal pride, privacy, and priorities. After learning that Mary’s child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Joseph took her as his wife. That would have created all kinds of public scandal. Mary was pregnant and Joseph was not the father. The angel told him, “[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins”. Joseph’s response was immedia...

How would you react if your fiancé turned out to be pregnant?

How would you react if your fiancé turned out to be pregnant? Joseph faced this situation. Engaged to Mary, he discovered she was pregnant before they came together. Matthew 1:18 tells us, “She was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” Joseph, a just man, planned to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. But an angel appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit” (Mat...

How did Zechariah react to the angel's message about his son's birth?

How did Zechariah react to the angel's message about his son's birth? In Luke's Gospel, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, announcing that his wife Elizabeth would bear a son named John, who would prepare the way for the Lord. Zechariah doubted, asking for proof, and Gabriel declared he would be silent until the prophecy was fulfilled. When John was born, Zechariah wrote, “His name is John”, and his speech returned. Zechariah praised God, singing of salvation and the coming Messiah, sa...

What did Mary do after hearing she would bear the Messiah?

What did Mary do after hearing she would bear the Messiah? Mary, engaged to Joseph, heard from the angel Gabriel that she, a virgin, would conceive miraculously and bear the long-awaited Messiah. Gabriel also informed her that her elderly relative Elizabeth was six months pregnant. Seeking understanding, Mary traveled to Elizabeth's home, a three-day journey. Upon arrival, Elizabeth's unborn son leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth blessed Mary. Mary responded with a song of praise, saying, “My...

What Surprises Are In Jesus Family Tree?

How did God use Caesar Augustus to fulfill prophecy?

How did God use Caesar Augustus to fulfill prophecy? Well, Luke 2:1-2 tells us that Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census. This required everyone to return to their ancestral homes. That of course including Joseph and Mary. Although they lived in Nazareth, they had to travel to Bethlehem. That journey fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. God used the decree of a Roman emperor to bring about His perfect plan. Even when life seems confusing, G...

Have you ever wondered about Jesus’ family tree?

Have you ever wondered about Jesus’ family tree? Why did God want us to have long lists of names in Jesus’ genealogy? Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 give us a glimpse. Matthew’s genealogy highlights Jesus as the Messiah. It demonstrated that Jesus descended from David and Abraham. That’s significant because it helps establish Jesus as fulfilling Jewish prophecy. Luke’s genealogy traces Jesus' lineage back to Adam. That emphasized His connection to all humanity. These genealogies reveal Jesu...

What Did Jesus Bring When He Came To Earth?

What did Jesus bring when He came to earth? I don’t mean what was he carrying with Him. I mean, what do we have now that we didn’t have before He came? John 1:14 says, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus brought His divine nature, power, and purpose. He came to reveal God’s glory and grace, providing salvation for all who believe. John 1:18 explains that Jesus made known the reality o...

How Does The World React to Jesus Being The Light?

How does the world react to Jesus being the light of the world? John 1:10-11 says, "He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." Most people don’t recognize Jesus as light. In fact most people flat out reject Jesus. But there's hope! John 1:12-13 tells us, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Believing in Jesus' name mean...

Jesus Is The Light Of The World

Welcome to Sixty Second Christianity. I’ve begun a series of episodes looking at the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. So far we’ve seen that Jesus existed eternally as God the Son before taking on human nature. John 1:1-3 reveals that Jesus, the Word, is eternal and the Creator of the universe. But John goes even further. In John 1:4-5, he tells us, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Jesus is th...

Who Is Jesus According To John's Gospel?

Welcome to Sixty Second Christianity. Who is Jesus according to John’s Gospel? John 1:3 reveals a profound truth: “All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.” Jesus is not only eternal and divine, but He is also the Creator of everything. This aligns with Genesis 1:1, where God creates the heavens and the earth. Recognizing Jesus as Creator affirms His supreme authority and power. If He created the universe, He certainly can handle the details of o...

How Do The Gospels Introduce Jesus?

Welcome to Sixty Second Christianity. How do the Gospels introduce Jesus? John’s Gospel begins with a powerful declaration in John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Here, when John says “the Word,” he’s referring to Jesus. This verse tells us that Jesus is eternal. He was with God and is God. John emphasizes that Jesus, the divine Word, became flesh and dwelt among us. This truth sets the foundation for understanding Jesus' divine nature a...

What Does "Gospel" mean?

With this episode, we begin a series through the gospels. I’m not sure how long it will take, but I’m looking forward to it. Let's start with this question: What does "gospel" mean? Well, in the Greek language, gospel means "good news." The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John only tell us about fifty-two days of Jesus' life and ministry. Though brief, these accounts are enough to convince us that Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Son of God. As John 20:30-31 says, "These are written so th...

How Should We Think About Unanswered Prayer?

The Importance of Confession in Prayer

Pray In Humility

You should always approach God with a spirit of humility. When you pray, you’re seeking God’s grace and humility is the posture God requires for granting it.

Prayer of Confession

Sin can hinder your prayer. But prayer is the means of restoring your fellowship with god when you sin. Learn the importance of confession in this episode.  

The Impact of Sin on Our Prayer Life

Ever wondered why some prayers seem to go unanswered? What if the life you lead could be silently sabotaging your spiritual connectivity? In this episode, we examine a profound concept: the potential hindrance of sin in our prayer life. Drawing on teachings from King David, Proverbs, and Peter, we explore the biblical assertion that God listens to the righteous and turns away from the wicked.

Discovering the Secret to Praying According to God's Will

Aligning your prayers with Scripture helps you pray according to God's will, and may hold the key to unlocking a deeper connection with God. In this episode of 60-Second Christianity, I  explore Jesus' teachings in John 15 and reveal insights to help your prayers truly resonate with God's desires and intentions.

Unlocking the Power of Prayer: Aligning Your Requests with God's Will

Ever wonder how to align your prayers with God's will? When you pray according to God's will, you can be certain that God hears and answers your prayer. 

Praying Boldly: Jesus as our Mediator and Bridge to God's Throne

What if I told you that you could approach God with confidence in prayer, all thanks to Jesus acting as your mediator? Today, we're diving into 1 Timothy 2:5 and discussing the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus that makes it possible for us to boldly go before God's throne. 

Can We Influence God by Prayer?

Can our prayers really influence the actions of God? This episode explores this intriguing concept by examining an instance from the Bible where God seems to respond to prayers, and even alters His course of action as a result.

Conversations with God: The Importance of Asking

Ever wondered if prayer truly makes a difference in your life? Take a look at what the Bible says about it and how God responds to our requests. Jesus himself said in Luke 11:9-10 that we should ask, seek, and knock, implying that our reluctance to ask God for things might just be the reason why they haven't been granted.

How Prayer Helps Us Align with God's Will

Ever wondered how prayer connects us to a bigger story and something with eternal significance? Scott Wylie dives into the importance of prayer in our lives and its role in aligning ourselves with God's divine plan.

Discovering a Stronger Bond with God through Prayer

Are you ready to unleash the true power of prayer in your spiritual life? I'm Scott Wiley, and on today's episode of 60-Second Christianity, we'll reveal how prayer not only demonstrates our trust in God but also deepens our love and understanding of Him. By engaging in sincere and intimate communication with God, we experience a profound connection to His divine character, which in turn strengthens our relationship with our Creator.

Fostering a Deeper Connection with God through Honest Communication

Why is it that God wants us to pray to Him? What would change if you approached prayer, not to inform God of your needs, but to fostering a deeper connection and trust with Him? Join Scott Wylie for this episode of 60-Second Christianity as he explore the significance of prayer in our relationship with God and the reasons behind His desire for us to communicate with Him.

The Implications of God as Creator

What would it mean for our lives if God truly is the Creator of the universe? Dive into this thought-provoking discussion as we explore the significant implications of God's role in creation and our place within it. I'm your host, Scott Wylie, and today we're tackling the idea that God is the only eternal being, having ultimate rule over the universe and all that exists within it – including us humans.

Is Christianity At Odds With Science?

Why does science sometimes seem to clash with the Bible? Can Christians truly embrace both scientific inquiry and their faith? I'm your host, Scott Wylie, and today we're exploring the age-old question of science versus faith on 60-Second Christianity. Join me as we dive into the conflicting scientific theories and the biblical view of creation, such as the theory that all living things resulted from random mutations over time. We'll discuss how this viewpoint contradicts the biblical teach...

How Did The Universe Come Into Existance?

Ever wondered how the universe came into being? Discover the biblical perspective on the creation of the universe and how God created everything out of nothing, simply by speaking it into existence! I'm your host, Scott Wylie, and in this thought-provoking episode of 60-Second Christianity, we'll explore various biblical passages to provide an understanding of how the heavens and the earth, both visible and invisible, were created by God. Join me as we reference Genesis 1-1, John 1-3, and C...

What are the roles in the Trinity?

What are the roles of the Trinity? What do the various members of the Trinity do? Well, there are some places in the Bible that give is a glimpse of the different roles. One of the places we can look to see this is in the creation account. All three members of the Trinity played a different part. In Genesis 1:9-10, we learn that God spoke the earth into existence. Later on in John 1:3, the Bible tells us that God the Son, or Jesus, carried out those words. It says that “All things were made ...

Does the Trinity mean that there are three Gods?

Does the doctrine of the Trinity mean that there are really three Gods, and not just one? Let me begin by noting that we need to be comfortable with the reality that there are things about God we can’t fully understand. The Trinity is one of those things. The Bible is clear that God exists as three distinct persons. But the Bible is also clear that there is only one God. There are not three God. There’s one God. One of the clearest places we can turn in the Bile to know this is Deuteronomy 6...

Are the three members of the Trinity the same?

Are the three members of the Trinity the same? No they’re not. The Bible teaches that God exists as three distinct persons. What that means is that the Father is not the Son or the Holy Spirit. The Son is not the Father or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not the Father or the Son. In the last couple of episodes, I mentioned some Bible passages that teach this. Each of the three persons of the Trinity is fully God. God the Father is fully God. Jesus us fully God. The Holy Spirit is fully ...

Did Jesus believe in the Trinity?

Did Jesus believe in the Trinity? Last time, I mentioned how the Bible begins by presenting God as a Trinity, even though the word Trinity is not in the Bible. Jesus also taught that he was part of a Trinity. Toward the end of his time on earth, he commissioned his disciples to carry on the mission. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said this: “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Jesus believes that there are three distinct mem...

Where in the Bible do we find the Trinity?

Where in the Bible should we look to find the Trinity? Well, the word Trinity is never found in the Bible. However, the word Trinity is used to describe a truth that's found in many places in the Bible. In fact, the Bible starts out, right at the beginning, with the concept of God existing as a Trinity. For instance, in Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” The Bible’s use of the words "us" and "our" tells us that more than one person was involved in the ...

What is the Trinity?

With this episode, I begin a series on what we call the Trinity. When you hear Christians talk about God, you’ll hear them use different names. For example, we might say simply God or the Father. There’s Jesus Christ and there’s the Holy Spirit. But those names are not just different names for one person. They are actually the names of three different persons. Here’s the part that's difficult to understand. God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit always existed, and they’ve existed as thr...

God is Unified in His Attributes

With all of God’s different attributes, how do they work together? The best way to think about that is the word unity. Sometimes one of God’s attributes might be emphasized more than the others. Some of his attributes even seem to be in conflict. For example, God’s love and God’s wrath seem to be opposites. However, the truth is that all of God’s attributes are in perfect harmony and God is unified in his attributes. It would be wrong to think that God is more of one of his attributes and le...

God is Perfect!

Jesus said this in Matthew 5:48: “Your heavenly Father is perfect.” So what does it mean to be perfect? For something to be perfect requires two things. It must possess every quality that is desirable and excellent, and it must lack everything that would be considered a flaw or undesirable. For example, a perfect diamond would have every single quality that makes a diamond great, and it couldn’t have any flaws or any undesirable qualities. To say that God is perfect means that he possesses o...

What things are impossible for God?

What things are impossible for God? The last couple episodes have explored God’s omnipotence and I said that God can do whatever he pleases. What, if any, are the things that God cannot do? Well, the only limits on what God can do are internal limits based on God’s own character. God can’t do things that violate other aspects of his nature or character. Here’s some examples. Titus 1:2 includes this phrase: “God, who never lies.” God cannot lie. Or James 1:13 which includes the phrase "God ca...

How does the Bible define and describe God’s omnipotence?

How does the Bible define and describe God’s omnipotence? The Bible teaches that God is omnipotent. This means that God can do anything he wants to do as long as it's consistent with his attributes and nature. The best way to think about this is that there is nothing that limits or hinders God.  He can do whatever he decides to do. The Apostle Paul told us in Ephesians 3 that God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” Whatever you think you need God to do for you,...

What does it mean that God is omnipotent?

What does it mean that God is omnipotent? The word can be rendered all-powerful. God himself provided the biblical definition of his omnipotence when he appeared to Abraham and asked this rhetorical question in Genesis 18: “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” In other words, there is nothing that God cannot do that he wants to do. God has internal limits on his own actions that are based on his character. For example, God can’t lie. In fact, God can’t commit any sin. But we need to understan...

How should we understand the wrath of God?

How should we understand the wrath of God? God provides a means of salvation from his judgment, but he still hates sin and his wrath burns toward all sin. Wrath can be thought of as intense hatred. When we talk about God’s wrath, we’re referring to his intense hatred toward sin. At some point, in God’s timeline of history, his wrath will be unleashed against sinners. John said this in John 3:36: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, ...

How can God forgive some people and punish others?

In the last two episodes, I talked about righteousness and justice. The fact that God is both righteous and just has huge implications. One thing it means for us is that God always treats people as they deserve. Without partiality, he punishes all sin and everything that is against his will and nature. While that is true, God also offers forgiveness, and those whom God has forgiven will not be punished. How can that be? Well, God established a system of justice whereby someone who didn’t des...

What is justice?

What is justice? When we perceive injustice, we’re outraged by it. Humans are born with a need for justice, but we don’t always know what it means. I’ve always defined justice as equal treatment under the law. That fit’s closely with what the Bible says. Leviticus 19:15 says: “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” So, justice has at is core a lack of partiality. By way of example, r...