Dewey Bertolini's Podcast

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

It had to be a rather rude awakening to be sure—Paul’s initial introduction to the unenviable life of an apostle. As we will learn in this PODCAST, there is much—much more than we could possibly imagine—behind Paul’s otherwise enigmatic statement in 1 Corinthians 4:9, a rare moment of personal reflection (and dare-I-say exasperation and frustration) in the writings of this most-prolific apostle: “I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.” Well, here in Acts 9, the Apostle to us Gentiles endured quite the humiliating spectacle indeed. It was hardly the homecoming our new friend, the Apostle Paul, had anticipated as he entered archway in the main gate leading to Straight Street in Damascus. Was his heart all a-flutter? Mine would have been. After a three-year absence from its legendary landscape, his formal training as an apostle now complete. I have to

Do you know what I love about Bible? Well, truth be told, there are a lot of things that I love about the Bible. Far too many to tell in this PODCAST. But certainly residing at or near the top of my rather lengthy list is this: The window the biblical writers open to the growth and maturity of its principle players. Case in point: The Apostle Paul. Paul did not emerge from his road to Damascus encounter with Jesus a wholly-mature believer. Nor did Paul burst on the scene armed with a fully-formed theology that would become the capstone of his prolific writings. Paul had to grow in his faith as a committed Christ-follower just like the rest of us. I love that! Paul moved from a measurably primitive understanding of Jesus to a remarkably profound comprehension of who Jesus was and is and all that Jesus did and accomplished. This growth, this development, this maturity takes place right before our wondering eyes ever to behold in all of its spiritual splendor. In short, Paul was a person in process, just like us

I believe that I can say this without equivocation. See if by the end of this PODCAST, you agree with me. My unequivocal observation? He is the single-most important person in the New Testament of whom you have never heard. There is an overarching theme to tonight’s discussion, born out of this story. One that relates directly to something that Jesus said. You talk about Paint the picture, Rabbi. This story here in Acts 9 paints THIS amazing picture. Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” That was in Matthew 19. So important is this principle that Jesus repeated it in the very next chapter: “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” Whatever did Jesus mean? More to the point: What does this look like? Paint the picture, Rabbi. Fortunately for us, Jesus is about to paint this picture—as beautiful a picture as you’d ever want to see—courtesy of Saul here in Acts 9, as illustrated so wonderfully in the lives of two otherw

You talk about a rising star. You are about to meet him in this PODCAST, up close and personal: Saul of Tarsus. Disciple of the renowned Rabbi Gamaliel. One of the Jerusalem-based Pharisees. Soon to become a voting-member of Israel’s Supreme Court—the Sanhedrin. This was a guy whose career-path was rocketing skyward in an ever-ascending trajectory to greatness. In terms of his religious tradition, passed on to him by his Pharisee-father, Saul was a guy who had it all—A rapidly-increasing influence. A growing respect among his peers. Certainly the pride of his parents. The possibility of fortune to go along with his ever-expanding fame. And, of course, to his way of thinking, the super-abundant approval of God, along with all of God’s bountiful blessings that Saul though he deserved, and that allowed Saul to justify to himself his murderous rage. Indeed, Saul had it all. And consequently, Saul had it all to lose. And lose it, he did. In the blink of an eye, literally. Please remember that depending upon your w

Hate is a horrible thing. Hate unbridled and unchecked is a murderous thing. Hate in name of God is terrifying and terrorizing thing. And as you are about to hear in this PODCAST, hate in the name of God is indeed a terrorizing thing because such religious hatred is actually viewed by the hater as a righteous thing. Just ask a certain Pharisee—emphasis upon that lofty religious title, Pharisee, since it goes to the very heart of this story—named Saul. Yes! Saul was a Pharisee. On the night before He was executed, as Jesus and His now-eleven disciples were slinking through the dark alleys of Jerusalem, literally one step ahead of His betraying-disciple Judas, the Temple guards, and the Roman cohort that Judas was leading to arrest and ultimately to crucify Jesus, Jesus made this chilling statement which should have given His disciples pause, assuming that in that desperate hour they had presence of mind to pause. It’s found in John 16:2, where Jesus said this: “The time is coming when those who kill you will t

Throughout His life and ministry, Jesus made some absolutely amazing statements, as only He could do! As you will hear in this PODCAST, Jesus was able to pack into just a few words the most deeply profound theological truths, the implications of which have taken the most incisive theological minds centuries to unpack. Case in point: This otherwise obscure little gem buried deep within the Miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes, AKA “The Feeding of the 5000.” Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me.” An absolutely remarkable statement that underscores our gloriously precious theological proposition known as Divine Election, along with its sister doctrine of Sovereign Predestination—sadly, with all of its attendant questions and endless theological wranglings, divisions, and separations that these blessed concepts unnecessarily generate. Trust me, courtesy of Philip and an unnamed Ethiopian Eunuch, this is a cause NOT of confusion, but of ce

It has become THE iconic image of Christmas: a Manger scene. So readily recognizable that its image graces the fronts of so many of our Christmas cards. So singularly significant that churches throughout country often display what they call a Living Nativity. So emotionally effusive that the mere suggestion of placing a Manger Scene on the steps of a City Hall can stir up a cauldron of contention. So famously familiar that many-a-home have a Manger Scene proudly/prominently displayed on a table or mantle. And as you will hear in this PODCAST, so iconic that hand-carved Manger Scenes are far-and-away the #1 hot seller when I take people to my favorite olive wood shop in Bethlehem. A Manger Scene. Even though everything about it is absolutely wrong. No knock on the artisans who hand-craft these treasured keepsakes. But you see, it’s all about a picture. An iconic picture. Manger Scenes paint pictures in wood. Luke painted a picture in words. And Luke’s picture, when properly understood, is SO MUCH MORE POWERF

The Christmas story is without a doubt #QuiteAStory. A familiar story. A profound story. An oft-repeated story. So familiar is this story that I really do not need to comment on it. Or do I? As you will hear in this PODCAST, the principal parts of the story are well-known. The principal players in this biblical drama are names everyone has heard -- Mary, Joseph, Jesus. Yet, with all of that familiarity, there is one little tidbit of information -- one word, really -- that absolutely jumps off the page at me. One word that puts the entire Christmas story into its proper perspective. One word that goes straight to the heart of who Jesus was, who God is, what the Gospel is all about. One word that goes straight to the heart of who we are. One word… 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.

You’ve perhaps heard the old line, “Things aren’t always as they appear to be.” Well, as you are about to hear in this PODCAST, sometimes things are exactly as they appear to be. Case in point, Peter’s exposé of Simon the Samaritan Sorcerer. Kudos to Peter. The apostle properly diagnosed the terminal condition of Simon’s tortured soul with pinpoint accuracy. A diagnosis that, were I to be honest with you, hits me way too close to home. For as much as I am ashamed to admit it to you, I have battled this very demon too. 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.