web02.fireside.fm Sun, 24 May 2026 21:29:28 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) https://www.pleadingthecase.org/tags/salvation Mon, 06 Aug 2018 15:00:00 -0400 If a tune-up can’t fix a car engine because what it really needs is for the entire engine to be rebuilt, then why would we, in the Christian faith, perform tune-ups on the form and function of our churches when what they may really need is to be completely overhauled? Join the host of Pleading The Case, Andy Mendonsa, where in each episode, he will peal back the culture and traditions that have come to define much of the Church in America today in order to accurately assess whether all that is needed is just a good tune-up, or as he has become convinced, a compete overhaul. en-us episodic "Stand Before The Mountains, Let The Hills Hear What You Have To Say" Andy Mendonsa If a tune-up can’t fix a car engine because what it really needs is for the entire engine to be rebuilt, then why would we, in the Christian faith, perform tune-ups on the form and function of our churches when what they may really need is to be completely overhauled? Join the host of Pleading The Case, Andy Mendonsa, where in each episode, he will peal back the culture and traditions that have come to define much of the Church in America today in order to accurately assess whether all that is needed is just a good tune-up, or as he has become convinced, a compete overhaul. no Andy Mendonsa andy@widows.org http://www.pleadingthecase.org/12 c7857aab-bc48-4107-8796-aa97a99d71f2 Mon, 06 Aug 2018 15:00:00 -0400 Andy Mendonsa full Andy Mendonsa In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. The lines between the law and grace, not unlike 2000 years ago when Paul addressed this in his letter to the Galatians, may be equally as blurred, if not more so, for much of the church today, thus creating a hybrid Christian faith, if you will, that has become dangerously close to losing its saltiness. 1:39:01 no <p>Is there any reason to pursue a deeper understanding of the law vs grace? There is if we truly believe that Jesus was the promised messiah, and that he came, not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Yes, we need to know what that means for us, now, in our daily lives in him. Otherwise, we will blend the law and grace creating a hybrid Christian faith that blurs the lines between the 2; Thus, blurring our understanding of Jesus and what it means to follow him as well as to look like him. Perhaps the confusion comes, on one level, because we claim salvation through Jesus, but at the same time we have lost sight of what it looks like to live out our lives based on his own life's example. And for Gentile followers of Jesus, this is particularly concerning since gentiles were never under the first covenant (under the law) to begin with. It was only after Jesus fulfilled the law, thus rendering the first covenant null and void, that the second covenant, under grace, was extended to include gentiles as well. In that the new covenant was established on better promises, though, why would anyone ever choose to be subject again to such a yoke of slavery (under the law)? </p> Christian, Salvation, Works, Deeds, Sacrifices, Pharisee, Galatians, Romans, Matthew 5, Ephesians, Flesh, Grace, Law, Unequally Yoked, Israel, Judah, The Promise, Righteousness, Gentiles, Jerusalem, Old Covenant, New Covenant, Abraham, Enmity, Seed, Offspring, High Priest, Shadow and Copy, Superior Ministry, Sanctuary, Tabernacle, Holy of Holies, Sacrifice, Worship, Spiritual Israel, Jews, Middle East, End Times, Obsolete, Is there any reason to pursue a deeper understanding of the law vs grace? There is if we truly believe that Jesus was the promised messiah, and that he came, not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Yes, we need to know what that means for us, now, in our daily lives in him. Otherwise, we will blend the law and grace creating a hybrid Christian faith that blurs the lines between the 2; Thus, blurring our understanding of Jesus and what it means to follow him as well as to look like him. Perhaps the confusion comes, on one level, because we claim salvation through Jesus, but at the same time we have lost sight of what it looks like to live out our lives based on his own life's example. And for Gentile followers of Jesus, this is particularly concerning since gentiles were never under the first covenant (under the law) to begin with. It was only after Jesus fulfilled the law, thus rendering the first covenant null and void, that the second covenant, under grace, was extended to include gentiles as well. In that the new covenant was established on better promises, though, why would anyone ever choose to be subject again to such a yoke of slavery (under the law)?

]]> Is there any reason to pursue a deeper understanding of the law vs grace? There is if we truly believe that Jesus was the promised messiah, and that he came, not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Yes, we need to know what that means for us, now, in our daily lives in him. Otherwise, we will blend the law and grace creating a hybrid Christian faith that blurs the lines between the 2; Thus, blurring our understanding of Jesus and what it means to follow him as well as to look like him. Perhaps the confusion comes, on one level, because we claim salvation through Jesus, but at the same time we have lost sight of what it looks like to live out our lives based on his own life's example. And for Gentile followers of Jesus, this is particularly concerning since gentiles were never under the first covenant (under the law) to begin with. It was only after Jesus fulfilled the law, thus rendering the first covenant null and void, that the second covenant, under grace, was extended to include gentiles as well. In that the new covenant was established on better promises, though, why would anyone ever choose to be subject again to such a yoke of slavery (under the law)?

]]> http://www.pleadingthecase.org/10 7148ff22-cb9d-4c56-9c77-62d9b02163ef Wed, 04 Jul 2018 13:00:00 -0400 Andy Mendonsa full Andy Mendonsa Based on the parable of "The Good Samaritan" this is a companion episode to "Racism, Faith and Worship, Oh My!" If Jesus were giving this parable today who would he have passing by on the other side of the road? Who would he have representing himself, instead of the Samaritan? According to this parable much of who we think of, today, as being the "evangelical church and her leadership, is really not all that different than Israel's leadership was when Jesus first recited this parable to the "expert in the law." 1:30:42 no <p>Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Even though this passage comes across as being somewhat abstract, what Paul is essentially telling us is to "love God with our heart mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves." And if we want to know what that looks like two of the best examples in the gospel accounts are in John 4, when Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman by the well and the Parable of the Good Samaritan beginning with Luke 10:25 when "an expert in the law asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life." This is a companion episode to the previous one, "Racism, Faith and Worship, Oh My!" that has as it's basis Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman . Central to both is worship. </p> civil rights, racism, faith, worship, good samaritan, levite, priest, Jericho road, Parable of the Good Samaritan, compassion, mercy, serve, Inn, Inn Keeper, donkey, do unto others, golden rule, Jerusalem, robbers, thieves, apostasy, salvation, redemption, restoration, deliverance, 2 greatest commandments, love your neighbor, serve and not be served, church, worship service, pastors, deacons, elders, covenant of grace, bride, marriage, gospel, Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Even though this passage comes across as being somewhat abstract, what Paul is essentially telling us is to "love God with our heart mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves." And if we want to know what that looks like two of the best examples in the gospel accounts are in John 4, when Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman by the well and the Parable of the Good Samaritan beginning with Luke 10:25 when "an expert in the law asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life." This is a companion episode to the previous one, "Racism, Faith and Worship, Oh My!" that has as it's basis Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman . Central to both is worship.

]]> Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." Even though this passage comes across as being somewhat abstract, what Paul is essentially telling us is to "love God with our heart mind and soul and to love our neighbors as ourselves." And if we want to know what that looks like two of the best examples in the gospel accounts are in John 4, when Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman by the well and the Parable of the Good Samaritan beginning with Luke 10:25 when "an expert in the law asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life." This is a companion episode to the previous one, "Racism, Faith and Worship, Oh My!" that has as it's basis Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman . Central to both is worship.

]]> http://www.pleadingthecase.org/9 bb00c8de-be5a-48a4-8ce9-8851f0550626 Mon, 25 Jun 2018 14:00:00 -0400 Andy Mendonsa full Andy Mendonsa The text for this episode is John 4:3-42, Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. This passage reveals so much to us, especially about worship, and what it actually looks likes and means to worship God in "the spirit and in truth," and why this has nothing to do with a worship service and everything to do with what we do outside of a worship service. 1:30:42 no <p>Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, recorded in John 43-42, is very overlooked for the most part. Especially, for what Jesus reveals to her, and ultimately to us, about worship. It is during Jesus exchange with the Samaritan woman that Jesus tells her that "the true worshipers that God desires are those that will worship him in the spirit and in truth." Although, the setting for this encounter is no where near Jerusalem or the temple inside the walls of that city, what Jesus said about worship has now been interpreted as primarily having to do with what takes place inside of a church during a "worship service." A setting that has very little in common with the setting that Jesus made this prouncement or why. This episode not only addresses this, but it also addresses how prejudice and even racism interferes with what God considers to be worship in the spirit and in truth without our even realizing it. </p> civil rights, racism, faith, worship, samaritan woman, jacob's well,christ, christian faith, conditions of the heart, deception, disciples, discrimination, divorced, empty vessel, eternal life, evangelism, eve, faith, false teachings, first adam, first covenant, grace, jesus, living water, love, messiah, minorities, politics, pure and undefiled worship, racism, righteousness, rule of law, salvation, samaria, samaritan woman, second adam, second covenant, segregation, sin, skin color, suffering, the deceived, the spirit and in truth, true worshipers god desires, truth, unclean, widows, woman caught in adultery, worship, worship service, worship through service Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, recorded in John 43-42, is very overlooked for the most part. Especially, for what Jesus reveals to her, and ultimately to us, about worship. It is during Jesus exchange with the Samaritan woman that Jesus tells her that "the true worshipers that God desires are those that will worship him in the spirit and in truth." Although, the setting for this encounter is no where near Jerusalem or the temple inside the walls of that city, what Jesus said about worship has now been interpreted as primarily having to do with what takes place inside of a church during a "worship service." A setting that has very little in common with the setting that Jesus made this prouncement or why. This episode not only addresses this, but it also addresses how prejudice and even racism interferes with what God considers to be worship in the spirit and in truth without our even realizing it.

]]> Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, recorded in John 43-42, is very overlooked for the most part. Especially, for what Jesus reveals to her, and ultimately to us, about worship. It is during Jesus exchange with the Samaritan woman that Jesus tells her that "the true worshipers that God desires are those that will worship him in the spirit and in truth." Although, the setting for this encounter is no where near Jerusalem or the temple inside the walls of that city, what Jesus said about worship has now been interpreted as primarily having to do with what takes place inside of a church during a "worship service." A setting that has very little in common with the setting that Jesus made this prouncement or why. This episode not only addresses this, but it also addresses how prejudice and even racism interferes with what God considers to be worship in the spirit and in truth without our even realizing it.

]]> http://www.pleadingthecase.org/1 a71fdc1a-dfcd-4acd-950a-083d1ee78fd1 Mon, 30 Apr 2018 15:00:00 -0400 Andy Mendonsa full Andy Mendonsa This first broadcast of "Pleading the Case" begins by posing the question: Is it possible to have the right Jesus for salvation and yet the wrong Jesus for living it out? If you have never considered this as a possibility, then the answer might surprise you, especially for what it reveals to us about our present condition as the Church, Christ’s bride? 1:22:55 no <p>Deception is by its very nature subtle, and can happen over long periods of time, even centuries. How do we know if we, as the church, have been deceived, or can we even know? Paul expresses such a concern in II Corinthians 11:2-3, saying that "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (NIV). How do we know if we have been deceived, though? What does scripture reveal to us for measuring or assessing our condition as Christ's bride at any time and place in history? This first episode of "Pleading The Case" presents the scriptural basis for being able to assess our conditon as Christ's bride in order to determine whether the church today is the bride that God desires her to be, or that she has been deceived as Eve was by the serpent." </p> christ's bride, christianity, condition of the church, deception, desolation, eve, james 1:27, jesus, last adam, salvation, widows, worship Deception is by its very nature subtle, and can happen over long periods of time, even centuries. How do we know if we, as the church, have been deceived, or can we even know? Paul expresses such a concern in II Corinthians 11:2-3, saying that "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (NIV). How do we know if we have been deceived, though? What does scripture reveal to us for measuring or assessing our condition as Christ's bride at any time and place in history? This first episode of "Pleading The Case" presents the scriptural basis for being able to assess our conditon as Christ's bride in order to determine whether the church today is the bride that God desires her to be, or that she has been deceived as Eve was by the serpent."

]]> Deception is by its very nature subtle, and can happen over long periods of time, even centuries. How do we know if we, as the church, have been deceived, or can we even know? Paul expresses such a concern in II Corinthians 11:2-3, saying that "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (NIV). How do we know if we have been deceived, though? What does scripture reveal to us for measuring or assessing our condition as Christ's bride at any time and place in history? This first episode of "Pleading The Case" presents the scriptural basis for being able to assess our conditon as Christ's bride in order to determine whether the church today is the bride that God desires her to be, or that she has been deceived as Eve was by the serpent."

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