Dewey Bertolini's Podcast

“And just when you thought all was lost…” As you will hear in this PODCAST, after his customary-yet-warm greeting, Peter could have begun his first foray into his rather short-lived, two-letter, dual-epistle-writing career with these words: “And just when you thought all was lost…” Because for Peter’s original readers, All.Was.Lost! For these now-“scattered abroad exiles” had just been forcibly removed from their homes, had their lives permanently disrupted, and their families dramatically displaced. Many-if-not-most of them were barely holding on, more surviving than thriving. Precious people precariously perched on the precipice of the abyss of uncertainty, just trying to make it through yet-another threatening day. All of that to say that Peter could have begun this First Epistle of Peter with the words, “And just when you thought all was lost…” Because that was how they felt. Just.Like.Some.of.Us. Our challenges may not actually be as dire as theirs. But it sure feels that way some days, doesn’t it? Like

OK, dear friends. In this encore PODCAST (while I am away speaking), we are about to leap off of the high dive into the shark-infested waters of what has become today an unnecessarily emotionally-charged, needlessly controversial issue among many of our so-called evangelical/fundamental churches. One that has done immeasurable damage to the precious women in far too many congregations. It absolutely sickens me to think how so many of us men have depreciated the value of women in the work of God. And as you will hear ever-so loudly and clearly, it sickens Jesus too. Who would have thought that women, specifically the role of women within the work of God on this earth, would become a hotbed of controversy? But it has. And just in case you are wondering here at the “get-go” whether or not I am a complimentarian or an egalitarian on this issue. I am neither. Oh how I hate labels. Words that mean different things to different people (usually inaccurately so) with little or no nuance. Words that carry so much bagga

As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, Peter begins his first lovely little letter literally with a literary explosion. It’s as if he has so much that he wants to say so quickly, that the syllables come pouring out of him like a waterfall of words. Believe it or not, verse 3 all the way to verse 12 is one long and winding and wondrously scenic sentence. You heard that right. A grand total of 315 words (in the NLT), all of which form one single sentence. Only the first part of which we will discuss now, with so much more rich and glorious truth to follow in the coming weeks. There is an life-altering, soul-stirring insight embedded in verse 3 that we would do well to consider. Since verses 1 & 2 serve as Peter’s greeting, the letter itself actually begins with Verse 3. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” A rather remarkable statement given dire circumstances in which Peter’s original readers were living. We’ve already detailed them for you in the previous two podcasts. I’ll simply

As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, all you need to know about the precious people to whom Peter wrote is summarized in three telling terms. One phrase, really. One phrase that so accurately described them. One phrase that so accurately describes each of us. ἐκ-λεκ-τοῖς παρ-επι-δή-μοις διασ-πορᾶς—literally, “elect foreigners in the diaspora.” Now why in the world would Peter begin his first letter with this carefully crafted first phrase? “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect foreigners in the diaspora.” Because the one question looming in minds of Peter’s distressed audience was this: Has God abandoned us? Not to get too personal with you, and at the risk of invading your private space, I cannot help but to wonder if you have ever asked of yourself that exact same question: Has God abandoned me? And Peter wanted them—and us—and you!—to know that as he penned this epistle, that same question was looming large in his own mind and his own soul. Peter knew his audience. Peter knew them. Peter kn

What perfect timing!!! This PODCAST coming not a moment too soon! Last week you might remember, I referenced the fact that so many of our precious Safe Haven family—You, not to put too fine a point on it—are going through profoundly challenging and difficult times. Well guess what? In God’s perfect timing, that just happens to be the theme of 1 Peter. “God’s Sustaining Strength Through Our (Your!) Sustained Sufferings.” Be it physical, mental, emotional, relational, or spiritual—I know that many of us come stumbling into Safe Haven on a Saturday night, or click the link to this podcast—some of us feeling as though we are teetering on the breaking point. Here is what I want you to hear: So did Peter’s original readers. This is a letter written specifically to them/to us/to you! Get this: In the five short chapters that make up this beloved little letter, Peter will reference the suffering of his readers (including you!) 16 times. “God’s Sustaining Strength Through Our (Your!) Sustained Sufferings.” By way of t

Did you know that Adolph Hitler survived at least six—SIX!—assassination attempts? As you will hear in this PODCAST, these six assassination attempts occurred in 1921, 1938, 1939, two in 1943, and the final attempt on July 20, 1944. Get this: Any one of which, if successful, would have either prevented World War II—as well as the wholesale slaughter of six million of our precious Jewish friends—or brought both the war and the Holocaust to a screeching halt. The older I get, the more questions I have. As but two examples: First: Why did God allow each of these six assassination attempts to fail? I’m not now going to debate the ethics or lack thereof of political assassination in a time of war. Whether or not as Committed Christ-Followers we should support or condemn such actions is way beyond the scope of tonight’s discussion. I’m simply asking: Would not our world have been a better place if just 1 of those attempts had succeeded? What possible purpose could have been served by God allowing the likes of Hitle

As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, last week as I was rushing at the end to complete on time our discussion of Peter’s release from prison—an effort at which I failed miserably, BTW—we mentioned-in-passing two noteworthy individuals, each of whom deserve far more than passing-mention. Mary, a generous homeowner and gracious hostess who opened her home for going on-fourteen years by the time of this story to the earliest, first generation followers of Jesus, our ancestors in the faith. Mary also happened to be the aunt to our old friend Barnabas, and a very close and personal friend of our even older friend, Peter. And then there is Mary’s son and Barnabas’ cousin—as well as Peter’s protege—John Mark. With glistening credentials such as these, they both do indeed deserve our special attention. Especially given the fact that immediately upon his miraculous release from prison, instinctively Peter made his very first stop to announce his release at Mary’s home. Even more especially given that this is Moth

When we last left our old and dear friend, Peter, he was in Jerusalem, languishing in a Roman prison cell, awaiting what he thought was his certain execution. As you will hear in this PODCAST, Peter had been held in that prison for up to eight long, arduous days—the week of Passover. So to help you feel this story—if I may put it that way—I need you to think back to one week ago. It was exactly one week ago when we—in Peter in HD Podcast #51—met the notorious-King Herod Agrippa. And I need you to consider two compelling/colliding realities now coming into play as far as Peter’s state-of-mind-and-heart while in prison was concerned. My dear friends, SO MUCH for us to talk about (please forgive that dangling preposition). And please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.

Acts 12 begins with this poignant—or pregnant with meaning—phrase, Κατ᾽ἐκ-εῖ-νον δὲ τὸν και-ρὸν, “About that time...” Words that, as you will hear in this PODCAST, could just as well have been translated, “At the same time.” “In the meantime.” Or “Meanwhile.” Meaning that while our old friend from last week, the Prophet Agabus, was in beautiful downtown Antioch 300 miles to the North, warning of a coming famine to Jerusalem and Judea in the South… Meaning that while the predominantly non-Jewish believers in Jesus were taking up a love offering to help to alleviate mass starvation and woeful suffering among their Jewish brothers and sisters in Jesus in Jerusalem and throughout Judea… Meaning that while this gloriously beautiful unity of all of these first-generation Christ-followers was being realized throughout Israel and beyond… Κατ᾽ἐκ-εῖ-νον δὲ τὸν και-ρὸν, “In the meantime,” much was going on in Holy City of Jerusalem itself—gut-wrenching, faith-challenging, life-altering events that rocked the world of

On its surface, storyline in these final verses of Acts 11 is really pretty simple. And as you will hear in this PODCAST, this story is as heartwarming as it is simple. This story is also—and so importantly—equally trend-setting. So much will be set in motion that affects how we do things (or ought to do things) even today! So.Much.Here, my friends, to give you and me pause to ponder, to think, to process. Trust me. You are in for a rich and rewarding excursion into the depths of God’s Holy Word. So get ready for your personal edification to take an exciting and exponential leap forward. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.

The year is circa AD 44. As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, a tectonic shift began to rumble through the region approximately 300 miles due North of Jerusalem. A movement of God’s Spirit that ignited a gloriously-spectacular conflagration that began to combust in Antioch, that has since swept the world-over, kindling a flame of God’s glory that today burns brightly even in your own soul. A blaze that should give each of us an overwhelming, soul-sustaining sense of hope. Is it not amazing that this story focuses upon such an influential hub of activity known as Antioch—then in Syria, today in Turkey? Why amazing? Oh, my friends, you are about to hear an amazing story indeed. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.

Spoiler Alert: As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, one of the disadvantages of words on a page is that we cannot hear tone; we do not see body language nor facial expression. In this message, I am attempting tonight to place myself in Peter’s sandals, sit myself at Luke’s writing table, and to teach tonight’s passage—one of most important in NT—in the tone and with the emotions with which Peter confronted a potentially explosive situation; with which Luke recorded this nearly-catastrophic confrontation. I do not think it a stretch that Peter was caught completely off guard, taken totally aback, disheartened and likely exasperated by the severe reaction he received upon his return to his beloved Jerusalem. So on the one hand, I speak to you from a broken heart, as I believe Peter’s was broken too. On other hand, this story in Acts 11 has a glorious ending; and so shall we! God will bring beauty for these ashes! As He always does. As He ALWAYS does. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and

It is one of the most enigmatic statements in all of Scripture. Ironically, as you are about to hear in this PODCAST, this mysterious statement follows one of the clearest, most-unambiguous and glorious proclamations in all of Holy Writ. Two statements--one perplexing, one perfectly understandable--both written by our old friend Peter. Timely statements each, given that the Easter season is upon us. Two statements that beg us to answer two compelling questions: 1. Where did Jesus go during the hours between Friday night and Sunday morning? 2. What did Jesus do during those hours between His crucifixion and resurrection? My friends, you are about to hear an amazing story seldom talked about precisely because it is so enigmatic—“difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.” Words that, when understood properly, bless our lives immeasurably. You are in for an Easter treat. Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to pla

Peter didn’t write much. No surprise here. As you will hear in this week’s PODCAST, the hyperactive-apostle could not sit still long enough to put pen to parchment. There is one of the four Gospels credited to Peter—but even that he could not write himself. Peter employed Mark to record his recollections. And no surprise that in reading what could-well be entitled, The Gospel According to Peter as Told to Mark, the one word that jumps out at us in Peter’s fast-paced, out-of-breath memoir is the adverb “immediately.” (Mark uses it 42 times). All of which is to say that on the rare occasions when Peter did park himself at a desk to inscribe his insights (only twice—1 and 2 Peter!), we should sit up and take notice. Case in point: 1 Peter 3:15. “If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” Words, BTW, that define for us a biblical approach to personal evangelism—AKA witnessing, soul-winning, sharing your faith. When they ask, we explai

Embedded deep within the pages of the Old Testament we find one of God’s most precious promises. As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, this bright ray of hope-filled sunshine was written to Jewish exiles in Babylon who were at the time experiencing their darkest hour. It was written by the weeping prophet Jeremiah, who himself desperately needed a stabilizing reassurance from God that He had not, did not, and would not ever, no matter what, abandon His people. Even though they had dramatically abandoned Him. This unbreakable promise is found in Jeremiah 29:13, and is as true today as it was then, as true for us as it was them. Hear it in the NIV, words worthy of memorization: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” What’s the key word? Seek. בָּקַשׁ ḇâqaš. A rather intensive word that means “to seek or pursue earnestly.” This word goes way beyond idle curiosity or a casual pursuit. Bâqaš speaks of a wholehearted desire. Bâqaš The exact same word David used in Psalm 40:16, “Bu

I want you to imagine for a moment this scenario. (As you will hear in this PODCAST, a potentially familiar biblical story to you.) That being said, see if you can guess the name of its principle player. His people were ravaged by a barbarically blood-thirsty Empire, the armies of which decimated his land, desecrated his holy places, and butchered his people. His hatred for these pagan barbarians flamed in his guts with the white-hot fury of volcanic rage. A smoldering-just-beneath-the-surface-anger that could have understandably erupted into a deadly confrontation at the slightest provocation. But God is a God of mercy, isn’t he? So He asked this man to set aside his prejudices, to extinguish the fiery rage that blazed within him. And in the face of the mountain of abuses he and his people suffered at the hands of these hedonistic heathens, these merciless marauders, to travel into the very power-center of this occupying power in order to share with the people there the Good News of God’s redemptive love. Th

I cannot think of a more beautiful tribute to committed Christ-followers everywhere—including YOU—than Jesus’ words here in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth.” As you are about to hear in this PODCAST, Jesus, ever the master of the metaphor, came up with a doozie with this one. “You are the salt of the earth.” I am excited about this for a couple of compelling reasons: 1. The rich and rewarding meaning of this metaphor, which we will get to in a moment. 2. “You are the salt of the earth” provides us with a wonderfully enriching teachable moment, one where I get to take you behind the scenes, as it were, and demonstrate for you in real time how we arrive at the proper interpretation of a passage—this passage in Matthew 5—and from there how to make an appropriate application of a passage—any passage—to our lives today. So you’re getting a two-for-the-price-of-one in this podcast -- What the passage means, and how we arrive at its meaning. Because truth be told, one of the reasons the Churc

In this week’s PODCAST, we engage in a most important discussion that flows directly out of Matthew 18:15-17 -- one of the most important passages in all of the New Testament, the so-called “Church Discipline” passage. Church Discipline, a teaching in many local churches that really rose into prominence in the late 1970’s and became quite the trend. I can remember attending church leadership conferences back then and hearing pastors -- I’ll use word “boast” -- of the fact that they recently removed an individual or individuals from their churches, thereby “preserving the purity of their churches.” Others would then oooh and ahhh at the boldness of the pastor in confronting the sin in his church and taking decisive action in order to preserve the purity of his church by the process of Church Discipline as outline by Jesus here in Matthew 18. Today, one of this nation’s leading Church Discipline proponents insists that church discipline, as outlined in Matthew 18, is one of the marks of a healthy church. He wri

Her Hebrew name was Tabitha. And as you will hear in this PODCAST, Dorcas was her Greek name. “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Well, she may have had nothing to do with Romeo and Juliet. But fact is, Tabitha by any other name, AKA Dorcas, would still be as sweet, kind, and beautiful. For both Tabitha and Dorcas both mean “Gazelle.” Distinctly beautiful names each, both of which speak to the inner beauty and kindness and sweetness that radiated from this singularly special woman. So special that Luke singled her out in order specifically to tell her exemplary story. As did Peter, who at news of her untimely demise literally—at a moment’s notice—dropped everything in order to be at her bedside within hours of her passing. What was it about this woman that would cause the lead apostle to rush to her side upon hearing sad news? What was it about this woman that brought life in the prominent seaside town of Joppa to come to a screeching halt at the moment of her death? What was it about this woman

I need to read Acts 9:35 to you its context. As you are about to learn in this PODCAST, there is so much more here than meets the eye. At least that meets our eyes. Acts 9:35 is a truly remarkable statement for original readers of the book of Acts. It will soon be truly remarkable for us. For this one verse exposes the underlying reality in the spiritual climate of the Land that you and I might easily miss. As well as the ongoing spiritual battle for our souls that is being waged every minute of every day in our lives today. A truly remarkable verse. So hear it as I begin at verse 32. “Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!’ And he was healed instantly.” Now verse 35, “Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lo