Truth Encounter: Face to Face with the Authentic Christ
41 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 9 years ago -Becoming like Him needs to be the goal of your life. Listen and rediscover the biblical Jesus. He is the incomparable, God-man, the Son of God.
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Episodes
Lighting the Eternal Flame (Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:45-9)
April 13, 2015 00:27 - 19.9 MBFaced with the testimony of the tomb guards, the grieving women, the doubting apostles, and, finally, doubting Thomas, only the fact of the resurrection can explain the radical transformation from despair to determination in the lives of Jesus' followers. The New Testament faces each of us with a choice-either declare the resurrection a fraud and curse Jesus as the ultimate religious hoax, or confess that it is ultimate truth and devote our entire lives to bringing this light into the lives...
Resurrection - The Fulfillment (John 19:38ff; Luke 23:50-24:44)
April 06, 2015 01:23 - 21 MBWhatever you might believe about faith--whether you ignore it, tolerate it, or hate it -no one can escape the historical and present day fact that since a Sunday sunrise in AD33 there has been an ever increasing multitude of witnesses who believe that Jesus escaped the prison of death. We are challenged to face this momentous choice: Declare the resurrection a hoax and curse Jesus; or bow before Him as the Author of Life.
Crucified in Our Place (Mark 15:16ff)
March 30, 2015 02:05 - 18.8 MBWhen a carpenter hits his thumb with a hammer, or your boss gets word that your firm just lost its biggest account, what expletives do you hear? Why is it consistently Jesus Christ's name that is used in secular society for a curse? Dave Wyrtzen challenges us to consider this: What comes out of our mouth when we are angry and upset reveals the reality of what is deep inside our personality.
The Arrest and Trial (Mark 14:43-15:20)
March 22, 2015 22:49 - 22.4 MBDo you remember back when Noriega dreamed he was the Emperor of the South. Mocking justice, the drug broker embellished his luxury and worshiped his demons while his wounded nation pumped out its life blood. The American night attack sought to end this gangster's reign of terror in Panama. Dave Wyrtzen contrasts this night attack with another night arrest that executed the worst travesty of justice this world has ever known.
The Battle of Olivet Hill (Mark 14:32-42)
March 15, 2015 22:47 - 21.7 MB"If it doesn't feel good, don't do it! Avoid anything that generates boredom, discomfort, or pain. If your internal vibrations are troubled as you contemplate whether or not to do something, do not proceed.” The ultimate objective in life is to keep yourself “feelin’ good!'” Jesus Christ did not "feel like" going to Calvary and becoming a martyr. Come with Him to Gethsemane to observe the Savior's greatest moment of vulnerability where He faced ultimate pain.
The Father and The Son's Gift (John 14:15-31)
March 09, 2015 02:09 - 21.6 MBObviously, there is no peace on earth! Look at the religious wars, wars in the Middle East, the economic and political factions, and the drug wars! Often there is no peace in our hearts! If Jesus promised peace, why is there so little of it? Discover why even believers wrestle with depression, discouragement and the absence of peace.
The Lord's Supper (Luke 22:1-38)
March 02, 2015 01:58 - 10.4 MBIf someone threatened your life, would you spend your time fleeing or feasting? Jesus Christ knew that the religious leaders were setting a trap for him; and he knew that the crowd would yell, 'Crucify him,' yet instead of fleeing, he arranged a quiet Passover meal with his friends. This fellowship meal has become the most famous supper of all time. Many of us partake of Holy Communion in our churches, but sometimes this can become a ritual without meaning.
Expecting the Unexpected (Matthew 24: Mark 13)
February 23, 2015 01:38 - 18.2 MBSpeculation often swings between the prophets of doom with their cries that it is the end of the world, to the promoters of the dawning of a new age. As the news reports multiply concerning famines, earthquakes, and strange celestial happenings, how can we discern who to believe? Does anyone actually know how history will end?
The Messiah Tested (Luke 20)
February 16, 2015 01:25 - 17.5 MBJesus’ triumphal entry signaled the beginning of the momentous time before the cross; a week that began with the praise of the crowd, but ended with the shouts, "Crucify him, crucify him." In between, the Messiah faced the plotting of his enemies, the preparation of His disciples, and the agony of a friend's betrayal. Imagine you only had one week to live. What would you include in this week, who would you spend time with, what would you share with your loved ones?
All Hail King Jesus (Matthew 22:1-11)
February 09, 2015 01:20 - 19.4 MBEntrances are important. A presidential candidate waits until every detail is in place before making his public appearance on the convention floor. A herald sounds his trumpet before a king enters his court. On Palm Sunday the ultimate King made his big entrance on to the stage of the city of Jerusalem. But instead of trumpets and hype, this King rode humbly on a small young donkey.
Deadly Power Of Religion (John 11:45-54)
December 07, 2014 13:17 - 19.1 MBA pure, personal devotion to the living God generates a contagious excitement about worship, and a practical concern to help others in distress. But religion, when it degenerates into the rigid keeping of rules, rituals, and traditions, becomes hateful, and can even murder. John 11:45-54 challenges you to think hard about the implications of the word “religion.”
The Transfiguration (Matthew 17; Mark 9)
December 01, 2014 02:43 - 21.5 MBIt only makes sense that if God sent His Son into the world, you would expect the Father to give His Son a proper introduction. The agnostic cries for God's voice to identify His Son and this is the tragic cry of many in the modern world. The truth is that the Ultimate Being in the universe has spoken, and clearly identified Himself! When God did speak from heaven, what did He say?
Jesus' Power Over Death (John 11:1-44)
November 17, 2014 01:22 - 21.8 MBWe can try to ignore it, deny it, and believe we can escape it, but death is a bounty hunter who never quits. The temporariness of our physical life can send fear tremors through our body; especially, when we face surgery, a lump that could be malignant, or the scream of a siren warning us that another life might have been unexpectedly extinguished. What has Jesus done to extract the teeth out of this giant fear of death, and when will He conquer this curse forever?
Jesus' Power Over Demons (Matthew 8:28-34)
November 10, 2014 02:49 - 23.4 MBIn ancient Babylon the air was believed to be full of malevolent spirits, seeking to bring sickness and death upon humans. In the secular city of the modern world the air for many years was viewed as simply a gas. A demon? Only the figment of the pre-scientific imagination. Faced with demons "everywhere" or demons "nowhere," what should the follower of Jesus Christ believe about Satan, demons, possession, and exorcism?
Jesus' Power Over Nature (Matthew 1:13-36)
November 03, 2014 02:37 - 20 MBTornados, earthquakes, drought, and hurricane plagued coastlines. The weather bulletins cry out the warning -severe storm, hurricane boasting 130 mile per hour winds. Everyone in its potential path of destruction rushes to purchase plywood, hurriedly boards up the windows, and prays that the chaos of nature will not overwhelm them. Where is God when these prayers seemed to go unanswered, and nature rumbles haphazardly leaving behind destruction, and death?
Jesus' Power Over Diseases (Matthew 8:1-17)
October 27, 2014 00:51 - 21 MBThis topic of "Healing"--it raises extreme contrasts in viewpoints--from the faith healer who promises instant miraculous cures to the cynical rationalist who calls it all a fake. A scared husband prays that his wife’s breast biopsy will not be malignant. Young parents to be ask God for their baby to be born well and strong. A pastor, just before one of his sheep faces surgery, prays that the doctors will have skill. Every day thousands of prayers ask God through His Son Jesus Christ to heal.
Examine Your Foundation (Matthew 7:24-29)
October 20, 2014 00:14 - 19.2 MBWhen the construction of a house is complete, the foundation for the most part becomes invisible. Was enough steel placed in the foundation beams? Was the ground prepared so that the entire structure will not sink and shift due to the weight of construction? No one wants their house to look like the leaning Tower of Pisa. None of these questions can be answered by looking at external appearances. However, time, and the assault of the elements will reveal to all either the strength, or the wea...
Daily Hurts (Matthew 6:12-15)
October 13, 2014 19:07 - 22.1 MBFishermen, especially bass fishermen, love to tell fish stories. Throughout your life how have you reacted when the "Big Ones," and the "little ones" all got away? How have you responded to all those "daily hurts", all those "daily misunderstandings?" Are you carrying a personal checkbook filled with a list of all the "I owe yous" that are your due? If we are dancing in the celebration of freedom from guilt, we will have little difficulty writing off the small change others owe us.
Bread, Hurt, and the Evil One (Matthew 6:11-34)
October 06, 2014 01:08 - 21.9 MB"How can I get the money to pay these bills? It’s becoming impossible to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads!" " I counted on my best friend to keep a confidence. I could kill her for blabbing some of my personal secrets!" " I committed my life to Christ, and look what I get -nothing but hard times!" Does any of this worry about making ends meet, anger over broken confidences, or discouragement over spiritual struggles sound familiar? Together we can discover some answers.
Beginning of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:1-18)
September 29, 2014 00:10 - 12.3 MBThe Lord’s Prayer? When recited by a congregation in a beautiful cathedral, accompanied quietly by a pipe organ, this prayer exceeds the eloquence of any other ceremony. But can we enjoy the kind of family intimacy that allows us to address our Heavenly Father as “Daddy”? What was Christ's original intent in giving us these words?
To Be Seen or Not Seen (Matthew 6:1-18)
September 21, 2014 17:51 - 19.6 MBThe Lord’s Prayer. It’s the most recited, most misunderstood prayer in all the world! In fox holes and emergency rooms everyone--from agnostics to devout believers--everyone prays! This reflex reaction to crisis proves that God has placed His stamp upon the human spirit. Times of crisis are not the only times most of us pray. But what does God think about all this conversation addressed in His direction? Does He listen? Does He respond?
Thou Shalt Not (Matthew 5:27-43)
September 15, 2014 00:19 - 19.2 MBTHE TEN COMMANDMENTS--they are the foundation of morality. They are listed in full twice in the Old Testament in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. Though radical twenty-year-olds laugh at their meaning in contemporary society, most adults sober up by thirty-five, and accept their wisdom. Those who obey these precepts will be welcomed at the pearly gates, but those who break these commands will perish. The role of church or synagogue becomes clear. Teach these ethical principles, motivate...
Surpass Pharisaic Righteousness (John 5:17-26)
September 08, 2014 00:01 - 22.5 MBDown through the centuries Jews have been maligned and persecuted by so-called Christians. As we listen to Jesus' accusations against the Pharisees of his day, we must not fall into the bigotry of seeing these negatives only in a religious group different than our own. Jesus' penetrating analysis exposes the hypocrisy, and the externality in all of our self-righteous scruples. Ask this question as you listen, "Why will prostitutes, tax-collectors, and thieves be welcomed at the gates of heave...
The Mission (Matthew 5:5-16)
September 01, 2014 00:09 - 10.5 MBThe swollen bellies of the hungry children in Somali broke, and then moved all our hearts. But what about a hunger that goes beyond the cry of our stomachs? Who can deal with our illicit internal appetites, and create a hunger for food that can satisfy us forever? What Jesus meant when He said, "Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled?"
Character Traits Of Kingdom (Matt 5:1-12)
August 25, 2014 00:39 - 22.2 MBThe kingdom of this world daily preaches its motivational thinking to us. If you want to be great in this world's kingdom learn this list, and apply it. Looking out for Number 1 will be your escalator to success. You'll earn your millions. Purchase your dream homes. Drive your limousines. Be feared by thousands! Take care of yourself physically--and you might live to be eighty. Then a heart attack, or cancer will suck your self-sufficient spirit dry, and you'll face your Creator bankrupt! The...
Fishing with Jesus (Luke 5:1-11)
August 17, 2014 19:37 - 20.5 MBSpring is the magical time of the year for fishermen. It’s the right time when the water temperature is not the frigid blue of February, or the hot tub of August. Many species school near the surface, but getting the big catch is often only the figment of the avid fisherman’s imagination. One hardly expects to encounter a fishing expedition in the pages of the Holy Scripture! The Bass Pro Outlet in Springfield, Missouri, but not the Bible!
Hometown Rejection (Luke 4:14-30)
August 11, 2014 02:14 - 20.7 MBWhen an astronaut, an Olympic gold medal winner, or a state finals coach returns to his hometown it is time for a parade! The floats are decorated, the confetti is shredded, and the multitude gathers. It is time for everyone to express appreciation for the star who has brought recognition and renown to his or her hometown. Imagine the terror when the applause of the crowd turns into a riot, and the hatred almost murders the home grown hero!
The Adultress (John 4:1-42)
August 04, 2014 01:32 - 21.2 MBImagine attending a church on a Sunday morning, and about five minutes into the worship service, while the congregation sings one of the majestic old hymns, the "scarlet woman" of the town walks into the church, up the aisle--making her entrance. Imagine the whispers--"Look at that dress! Who does she think she is?" What about an immoral woman who wants to come to Jesus?
Look and Live (John 3:12-21)
July 28, 2014 02:46 - 20.1 MBWhen a young married couple brings home their first new baby, it is cause for great celebration!! What do you think happens in heaven when a new baby is born spiritually? Even Hollywood has become very interested in angels, but this is hardly the place to expect to discover the truth about angelic activities or spiritual truth. What does the Bible actually mean when it talks about being “born from above” and how do angels feel about it?
Born From Above (John 3:1-12)
July 21, 2014 01:33 - 12.4 MBMany in our society are confused over what it means to be "born again." Contrary to popular opinion Jimmy Carter did not originate the idea in the 70's, nor is it some unique experience reserved only for those who reject modern technology and speak in only King James English. Where did all this “born again“ talk really originate?
The Rebuilt Temple (John 2:12-25)
July 13, 2014 23:57 - 11.5 MBProfessional religionists always figure out ways to capitalize on the gnawing spiritual hunger in the human heart. Often the reaction to these spiritual con men is to become cynical and retreat from all public worship. But is this "spiritual healing for sale" something new to the 20th century? Are all religious teachers frauds only in it for the dollars?
When the Wine Runs Out (John 2:1-12)
July 07, 2014 00:31 - 17.1 MBToday’s study is desperately needed in a world that is partying itself to death trying to find happiness while those who actually have found the source of joy often mistakenly believe that Jesus takes all the pleasure away. The religious Jesus who never smiles, never laughs or has a good time is not the Jesus of the Bible. Check it out as our study leader, Dave Wyrtzen, takes us to the party where Jesus performed his first miracle. Who do you go to when the wine runs out?
Come and See (John 1:28-51)
June 29, 2014 23:53 - 12.1 MBDo you stay so busy that you never have to stop and get quiet enough to listen to your innermost thoughts? Who wants to expose the pride, the false motives, the jealousy, immorality, and the hate that often lurk deep in the corners of our hearts? We hunger to get genuinely close to others, but who has the time? Sometimes even our church involvement turns into frantic, religious hyperactivity. Where can we find some peace and quiet, true rest for our souls?
Overcoming Passions (Matthew 4:1-11)
June 23, 2014 00:50 - 18.4 MBHave you decided that you ate too much, and that you need to lose some weight? How is it going? The good intentions, the strict rules, the rationalizations, and the over indulgence--this sequence relates not only to our inability to control our food intake, but to our difficulty in controlling sexual desires, spending habits, alcohol consumption, and you can add your own besetting weakness. We invite you to join us as our teacher, Dave Wyrtzen, introduces us to the ultimate expert on self-con...
Mystery-Water-Voice-Dove (Matthew 3; Luke 3)
June 09, 2014 01:29 - 18.6 MBWhen your telephone rings like an alarm, and you receive word that one of your teenagers has been in a serious accident, does Jesus care? When you make a resolution that today you will control your temper, and the first words out of your mouth burn like acid, does Jesus shake his head and turn away in disgust? Does the perfect Son of God identify with our suffering, or does He remain detached from our human pain -isolated in a world of heavenly perfection?
The Messiah's Messenger (Mt 3; Mark 1)
June 02, 2014 01:05 - 23.5 MBHe didn't care what politicians, or the religious hierarchy of his day, thought about him. This preacher preached to change lives, not to please his audience. He was god's powerful roto-tiller churning up the stony ground of first century Palestine, so that the seeds of the Messiah's Kingdom could grow in human hearts. John the Baptist, the wilderness prophet of Israel, cries out to the wilderness of our spiritual dryness.
In His Father's House (Luke 2:4-5:2)
May 26, 2014 00:47 - 11.2 MBThe transition from twelve to thirteen--it's one of life's most powerful times of change. Tough on parents. Tough on kids. Mom especially struggles to keep a tight hold on the reins, while her teen struggles to break free of their little child identity. How did Jesus, the perfect son, respond to his parents on the eve of adulthood?
Worship or Murder (Matthew 2)
May 19, 2014 02:00 - 20.1 MBContrary to much modern opinion that believes that Jesus can be ignored, He precipitates the most intense reactions. In our lust for power and the preservation of our own security, Jesus threatens our status quo, and we often react with hostility. The murderer, Herod, in the Christmas account illustrates this response. If wisdom is at the core of our being-a desire for truth-Jesus will satisfy our quest. With the wisemen, we will kneel before Him and give our gifts and abilities. Will our res...
God's Redeemer Identified (Acts 2:21-40)
May 12, 2014 01:49 - 19.6 MBThe holidays generate great anticipation. We expect release from the pressure and stress of the normal grind, laughter and relaxation with family and friends, time for contemplating life's true values, and yet, when the special days come to a close, how can we protect ourselves from re-entering life's super highway, and forgetting that a relationship with Jesus must mean more than giving Him passing recognition in a couple annual Holy days.
Why A Decree? Why a Manger? Why Shepherds? (Luke 2:1-20)
May 04, 2014 23:44 - 19.3 MBDo you ever get upset about some major inconveniences? Imagine how a young teenager and her new husband must have felt when in the ninth month of her pregnancy they suddenly found out they needed to make a 90 mile trek to Bethlehem. Of all the despicable situations--an ungodly ruler seeking to increase your taxes, a tortuous journey late in pregnancy, no accommodations when you arrive in your home town--yet the Almighty Ruler used all this inconvenience to fulfill His promise.
The Birth of the King's Herald (Luke 1:1-25)
April 27, 2014 18:21 - 19.9 MBAs the travel weary young woman sweated and struggled in the corner of the stable to bring her firstborn into the world, who would have ever guessed that this child would become the world’s premier super star? Jesus of Nazareth is the most dominant figure in all of world history. Join us as Dave Wyrtzen leads us through a careful examination of the primary sources of information about Him.