In episode two of the church in Laodicea, the Smiths move their study down the road as they finish up some introductory comments before launching into verses 14-18. They identify who Christ really is to counter some false teaching that he was only a created being and not a part of the eternal Godhead. They then move into one of the more famous verses in all the Bible where John said that Christ wished that they were either hot or cold, but they were lukewarm. And because of that, He would spit (or vomit) them out of His mouth. What horse tones the Lord sets when describing the actual church in this community that was not an actual church at all. Why? Because they were made up of folk that only thought they were Christians, but lacked the true markers of genuine believers. Drawing from three analogous comparisons between spiritual Laodiceans and the natural Laodicea, Christ explains why they were not His true followers, but only applying three key realities of the surrounding city of Laodicea. The first was their wealth. Laodicea was a prosperous city with a strong banking system. The church was prosperous enough on their own they didn't need the Lord and His provisions. They also leaned heavily on the massive textile industry that featured black woolen products to clothe themselves in the finest of clothing, and leaned on the advancements the city made in the medical world through a much sought after eye salve that the world went crazy for. There wasn't any dependence on God because they didn't need His help. They were totally into themselves, and lacking the burning passion of a hot heart after God, our able to drink refreshingly cold spiritual water from the Lord, Himself, but were like the lukewarm and dirty water that supplied Laodecia with their less than favorable water supply. Drawing from commentators like Amir Tsarfati, Barry Stagner and John MacArthur, the reality of the spiritual indifference of the church in Laodecia became incredibly painful to read, leaving them with only one true option..Repent! Would they do so? Well you'll have to join the Smiths next week to find out, right here on Indigenous Faith.

Today Craig and LaDonna Smith begin their journey into the seventh and final church that was on the receiving end of admonitions from Christ as given to the Apostle John while in exile on the island of Patmos, and which formulates the book of Revelation. It's the church in Laodicea which is front and center today. This was one of two churches that did not receive positive commendations from Christ, but only condemnatory words because of the serious situation they found themselves in. Though thought to be representing Christ, they were actually a church which Bible commentators noted was made up of people who thought they were Christian, but were actually just going through the motions. It led one voice to note that of the seven churches in Revelation 2&3, this was the only one that would miss the rapture and have to go through the Great Tribulation because of their unsaved status. They had alot going for them, in earthly terms. They were wealthy but that wealth led to no need to trust God for their provisions, they were well dressed in the styles of the day as Laodicea was known for their textile industry, and a reputation that lacked nothing in the medical world as being the city where an excellent eye salve was developed and used widely. Reputation was everything, except it was a reputation of the world, and not of the Word. It led the Lord to comment that they were neither hot nor cold, but full of lukewarm indifference, just like the lukewarm water that serviced the city through a complex aqueduct system. What do you have to say to a group like this? Sadly, this church represents many churches all throughout the Church Age, and even to this day. You can say you are a Christian church, but lack any evidence of true regeneration and divine empowerment. So this begins the Smith's study into this confused church, and once they are done with this series, we'll all know what to watch for in our own local church body so we do not become like the Laodicean folks who lacked what it took to be a church that was accepted by the Lord Jesus Christ. Important issues for sure, and it's all right here on this and the upcoming editions of Indigenous Faith!

In today's third and final episode of Christ's words to the church in Philadelphia, as found in Revelation 3:7-13, Craig and LaDonna complete their verse by verse commentary of this incredibly important passage of Scripture that had relevance for this church in the Dark Ages, but important for us as well. Remember, the Smiths have reminded us in episodes past that these actual seven churches were not only living bodies of Christ some 2,000 years ago, but they also represent all churches in all cultures in all parts of the world throughout all the Church Age. Important to today's teaching is the reality that throughout its history, the church has been anticipating with great expectancy the rapture of the church and the subsequent return of Christ to earth to establish His millennial reign, and we will be part of all those miraculous events! As the great gospel song says, "So keep your eyes upon the eastern skies, lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh!" Even so, come Lord Jesus!

This is the second of a three part series on the church in Philadelphia as presented in Revelation 3:7-13. Today the Smiths continue their verse by verse commentary on this passage and also continue to present seven important commendations Christ gives to this church. It's all important information that will help us live victorious lives in the context of our Indigenous cultures and communities. All right here on Indigenous Faith!

Today the Smiths return to their extended study on biblical prophecy and Christ's words to the seven churches in Asia Minor as found in Revelation 2 and 3. Today they begin a look at the sixth church, the church in Philadelphia. Today's episode provides the all important context to this church as the Smiths provide some very important background information on not only the church, but the community as well. This is one of only two churches of the seven who did not receive any condemnation from Christ, but only commendation. The Smiths had time to only delve into the initial text of Revelation 3:7-13 which spoke of Christ as Holy and True. What a way to start this new look into this new church. We trust you will stay with Craig and LaDonna as the continue to unpackage these all important words from the Lord Himself to these seven churches, right here on Indigenous Faith!

In the first two parts of this series, Craig opened wide his heart in a message he titled Establishing a Biblically Healthy Indigenous Faith, at the Billy Graham sponsored First Peoples Christian Leaders Conference in Rapid City, SD. If you haven’t heard the first two parts of this message, we’d strongly encourage you to do so before listening to this third and final part. That way, the whole of the message will come through loud and clear. In the first two episodes, Craig discussed the redemptive role every Indigenous people group has been given by God to be His mouthpieces at strategic times in human history. History itself affirms the reality that God had done just that through many Indigenous people groups already. Could it be that soon, the same thing will happen here in North America as well? That’s been the prayer of Craig and LaDonna Smith in their over forty years they've been serving the Lord among their people. It’s crucially important to not just win Indigenous people to Christ, but to disciple them to spiritual maturity wherever and whenever our people respond by faith to Christ. And there are some unique challenges to doing so because not a lot of time and attention has been given to address the strong animism and spiritism of our old ways that still permeate our cultures today. In today’s wrap up, Craig shares the amazing story of a former Navajo medicine man, Pete Greyeyes and the salvation, healing, and deliverance he and his wife, Rena, found when they gave their lives to Christ. Pete's story illustrates the unique challenges the Smiths Indigenous Faith materials addresses to help Indigenous believers in Christ know how to address these powerful issues in their lives and cultures. In fact, much of the Indigenous Faith materials the Smiths have developed has come from both the Scriptures, and sitting at the feet of mentors like Pete Greyeyes and other first generation believers in Christ who came out of dark animism and who spoke with great authority and experience embedded in their past spiritistic lives and vocations. These are important days, and we must not delay in teaching and equipping Indigenous believers in knowing how to follow Christ without compromise in all these issues. It's a mantle that Craig and LaDonna Smith have committed to carry as long as the Lord gives them breath!

In today's episode, Craig presents part two of the foundational message he presented at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association sponsored First Peoples Christian Leader’s Conference in Rapid City, SD. While Scripture affirms Indigenous people are to play a redemptive role in proclaiming the gospel to the specific locations God has placed them in, sometimes history wants to argue just the opposite. How can North American Indigenous people play any kind of redemptive role in these last days when it’s been our people who have been historically the resistant ones to the gospel message itself? It’s tough questions like these that Craig desires to respond to from the pages of God’s Word. In this second installment of his recorded message titled, Establishing a Biblically Healthy Indigenous Faith, Craig starts delving into how the Body of Christ needs to respond today to increase, and not decrease, its efforts in reaching and discipling Indigenous people here in North America with greater intentionality and efforts that are birthed and bathed in prayer and total dependance on the power of the Holy Spirit. Come to today's message with an open heart and mind to the principles found in God's Word, and in the application of those truths to today's North American Indigenous experience!

The Smiths take a break from their series on eschatology to present a three part series from a message he preached at a Billy Graham sponsored event in Rapid City, SD. Today, Craig and LaDonna take us into that conference in a three part series that presents Craig's message on discipling Native Americans he titled, Establishing a Biblically Healthy Indigenous Faith. In session one, Craig shares the Smiths personal story that has brought them through great trials and suffering in order to share this message at this unique event. Craig reminds the audience of Will Graham's grandfather, Dr. Billy Graham's visionary statement made back in 1975 about Native America being a sleeping giant for Christ, and if and when that giant awakens, could be the leaders of sharing the gospel in North America and beyond should God grant a last days revival. Dr. Graham's statement, Craig shared, is rooted deeply in the Scriptures. Specifically in Acts 17:26-27. Along with that biblical foundation, Craig shares a personal story on his visit to the Otavala Indians of Ecuador some years back. This tribe, which had been historically resistant to the gospel, all of a sudden experienced what only can be described as a move of God's Spirit that led thousands of Otavala Indians to come to Christ and hundreds of churches established among them. When one sees firsthand such a miraculous move of God among another tribal people, it gives great hope to see the Lord do the same among North America's Indigenous people. But its not just about reaching tribal people for Christ, they must become committed followers of Christ and the only way to make that happen is good thorough discipleship equipping of each believer. This is where Craig begins to address the missing link in the discipleship materials available to the church today. None of which address the key issues of dealing with past animism among tribal people. And that's why Craig and LaDonna have developed their Indigenous Faith materials to help fill that gap. The next two sessions are crucial to understanding how a biblically healthy life is possible for former animists and spiritists who are sold out to Christ. Session One whets your whistle while episodes 2 & 3 brings the firehose! Stay tuned, dear friend, and don't miss a single episode of this important foundational teaching. You'll be glad you experienced all three episodes of Establishing a Biblically Healthy Indigenous Faith!