In today's episode, Craig and LaDonna finish up their study of the first Church Jesus told John to write to in His words to the seven churches in Asia Minor. It was the church in Ephesus. The Smiths continue to help us understand how we, today, can be like the Ephesian church, by continuing to preach and teach sound doctrine all while guarding our local church against the false teachers of today. When false doctrines, like weeds, try and sprout up in our churches today, they are to be confronted by the leaders of the church and by exercising what is called church discipline on those who bring such teaching in. Craig goes the extra mile by including some important thoughts about the legalities church discipline needs to operate under, especially in such a litigious environment like we find ourselves in today. He addresses what the church should do if and when someone goes as far as suing the church in civil court. Drawing upon his years of leading the Native Ministries of The C&MA, and the training he received while in that role, Craig helps bring out the importance of the church today in covering itself legally should something like that happen today. It all centers around Christ's affirmation of the leaders in Ephesus for doing the hard work of protecting the church from false teaching. He commends them strongly for doing so. But Christ also shares with the folks in Ephesus that there were some things He was not happy with in what He observed in this congregation. Specifically, was the fact that they had left their first love for Christ. Thankfully, Christ gave them three things to do to recapture that first love, and Craig takes the time to unpackage those items to you, his listeners, today. Those three things are, Remember, Repent, and Return. You'll be encouraged by both Craig and LaDonna's teaching on how we can even do that today. Great words of encouragement to all listeners, once again, right here on today's edition of Indigenous Faith!

Today, Craig and LaDonna continue their study of Jesus' words to the seven churches in Asia Minor in Revelation 2-3. Realizing the importance of what Christ said, they had no option but to address the issue of abortion in our modern culture. The sacrifice of children to demonic pagan idols goes as far back as the Old Testament, and is strongly condemned by Jesus Christ. Without mincing words, they strongly present the biblical case that it's not simply a "social issue" called "Choice", but a demonic and pagan practice of the worst sort. They remind us that it's not just a women's issue, but a man's issue as well. Men bear just as much responsibility by their unwillingness to care for children they bring into the world and providing a loving home for a child to be raised in. It's a worldwide issue of modern paganism that affects all cultures, tribes, nations, and people groups. The Smiths also present some of the most encouraging words ever spoken about Christ and His involvement in His church. It says He holds the seven stars (pastors) in His hand and He walks among the seven lamp stands (churches). The implications of that reality is staggering to consider and should help all believers to rejoice. It also supports the importance of being a part of a local church in order to experience this deeper work of Christ in the world today. Christ's strong words to the leaders of Ephesus included an affirmation about them promoting sound doctrine in the church all while being on the lookout for false teachers that want to come in and sow destruction. It led Craig to begin speaking strongly on the importance of these roles and he begins to introduce the issue of church discipline. Unfortunately, time ran out so you'll have to come back next week and join the Smiths as they continue to unpackage what the Book of Revelation teaches. All right here on the Indigenous Faith broadcast!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith move on to Chapters 2-3 of the Book of Revelation, which covers Jesus' words to seven churches in the region of Asia Minor. For the next little while, the Smiths will be unpacking the details of Christ's words to these seven churches, of which He is the Senior Pastor over them all. After LaDonna presents these two chapters, the Smiths begin their focus on what He said to the first church mentioned, which was the church in the city of Ephesus. John, who was the scribe for the Book of Revelation, was actually in this city when he was taken prisoner for preaching the gospel and sent to isolation on the island of Patmos, where he received all that the Lord gave him about things to come in a biblical book who's whole purpose was to give great detail to what will happen in the last days of planet Earth as we know it. He was to write the about past, present, and future events as revealed to Him by Christ, Himself. In today's episode, the Smiths give a full explanation and background of the church in Ephesus, and begin unpacking both the affirming and challenging words of Christ to them. And that's the pattern Jesus uses in what He has to say to all these seven congregations spread throughout Asia Minor. He commends them for the good things they do, but also shares with them the things that He is against as they live their Christian lives in the early days of the Church. In one of the more powerful parts of their presentation, the Smiths remind us about the relationship Jesus has with both the church leaders and the congregation in these local congregations when He says that He holds the seven stars (the seven pastors) in His hand and he walks among the seven lamp stands (the actual seven churches). And He still does that today! There's so much encouragement as Craig and LaDonna begin unpacking God's Word, right here on this and the upcoming episodes of Indigenous Faith. We're glad you are with the Smiths in this biblical journey!

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith wrap up there expository look into Revelation 1. They remind us that while they hold strongly to the literal interpretation of Scripture, they leave room for imagery, illustrations, etc., that are metaphorically presented to help Bible students realize just what the scripture is saying. They speak on this as this chapter provides some of that kind of text. The end of the chapter is filled with imagery of the Savior of heaven and earth as John saw a vision of a man, "like the son of man." John struggles to describe this image as its realities far out delivered John's ability to describe what he saw in common human terms of the first century. The Smiths believe you will be blessed by this three part series and we hope and pray you'll be able to see all its splendor and might, right her on Indigenous Faith!

Today Craig and LaDonna continue their introductory study into the Book of Revelation. They continue to unpack all that chapter 1 has to say about why this book was to be scribed by the Apostle John while in prison on the island of Patmos. Write the things you see (currently), the things you saw (past tense) and the things to come (future tense) is what the angel of the Lord told him to write. The intended audience is all of us living throughout the past 2,000 years since Christ was on earth, and ascended back to heaven in preparation for His second coming which will soon be upon us! In great imagery, Christ the conquering King is presented right at the beginning of this incredible book which speaks about things to come. Excitement is building in the hearts and souls of Craig and LaDonna as they present these exciting pages of timeless truth to you. We trust that excitement will be contagious and spread to every listener around the globe who tunes into this prophetic teaching series, all designed to help build a biblical and lasting Indigenous faith in the lives of our listeners. Buckle up for another amazing study in God's prophetic Word, right here on Indigenous Faith!

Not only does today mark another year of the Indigenous Faith broadcast, it marks the beginning of a new series in our continued study of eschatology. Today we launch an in-depth study into the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation. In a multiple part series, Craig and LaDonna begin to unpackage the first chapter of this amazing book and attempt to put the cookies on the bottom shelf by simplifying what this book has to say about end times. We will be going through the whole book of Revelation to uncover the things the Apostle John saw while he was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos. He was to write the things that are, the things that were, and the things to come. Please be sure to join Craig and LaDonna in every episode they present on this much misunderstood book of the Bible. As you'll see in just chapter 1, it's a remarkable study into the mind and heart of God and all that He has planned for not only His children, but for those who rejected Him and His eternal plan of salvation through His One and only son, Jesus Christ. Have your Bibles ready, dear friends, as you join Craig and LaDonna Smith on their amazing journey through the Book of Revelation, right her on Indigenous Faith!

In today's fifth and final episode that focuses on the Signs of His Coming, Craig and LaDonna Smith provide a window into some o the last few chapters of the Bible, including Revelation 19-21. Chapter 19's focus is on the Rider of the White Horse which clearly speaks of the actual second coming of Christ at the end of the Tribulation period and the ushering in of the Millennial reign of Christ on earth. Chapter 20 continues to shed light on the Millennium and what happens right after it ends, which is the Great White Throne Judgement. Chapter 21 gloriously explains the establishment of a new heaven and new earth and what eternity will look like for those of us who will experience it without pain, suffering, death, or separation. What a powerful way the end of the world as we know it is described in these amazing chapters. No wonder many a preacher has said, I've read the back of the book, and guess what? WE WIN! even so, come Lord Jesus!

In today's special edition of Indigenous Faith, the Smiths pause their study of biblical prophecies about Christ's second coming to focus their attention on biblical prophecies about Christ's first coming in this special Christmas edition of Indigenous Faith. It's a special sermon Craig shares from his heart that shows a number of Old Testament prophecies about Christ's first coming then takes us to where those prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament. And that's why he calls this a special and unique kind of Christmas message because it's all about prophecies made and prophecies fulfilled. The point is made that if all the over 300 messianic prophecies in the Old Testament about His first coming were fulfilled exactly as they were given over 700 years before these events ever happened, then we can trust the truthfulness of the over 1800 prophecies that foretell His second coming! What a strong case we have in defending the things to come! So as we approach this year's Christmas celebration, the Smiths hope that our hearts will be even more steadfast in believing the truths of the Bible! It's believable, and important to base the remaining time we have left on planet earth upon! May you deepen your love, trust, and hope found in Christ alone during this wonderful Christmas season! Merry Christmas from Craig and LaDonna Smith, and Tribal Rescue Ministries!