Bible Streams

The gospel continues to spread from the Jerusalem out towards the ends of the Earth; first through Peter and on through Paul. This section of Acts sees a monumental shift, where the Jerusalem Council welcomes in the Gentile believers. This is a pivotal moment for all of us who believe: the vast majority of the church today would have been classed as 'Gentiles', and so here is our moment to be welcomed in. But what do we do with the instructions they gave us? Jo & Scott jump into Acts 13-15.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: The Book of Acts : A Commentary by C. Peter WagnerBook: Paul: A Biography by N.T. WrightBook: ESV Expository Commentary: John - ActsWebsite: The Bible Project: ActsBible Text: ESV Online: ActsThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

As we continue through the earliest days of the spread of the Good News of Jesus and the growth of the early Church, we find ourselves at one it's most pivotal moments: the first inclusion of non-Jewish believers. When God opens the door of salvation to everyone, how will the Jesus-followers react? Jo and Scott tackle Acts Chapters 10-12 in this episode of Bible Streams' 'To The Ends of the Earth - Acts'.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: The Book of Acts : A Commentary by C. Peter WagnerBook: Paul: A Biography by N.T. WrightBook: ESV Expository Commentary: John - ActsWebsite: The Bible Project: ActsBible Text: ESV Online: ActsThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

As the book of Acts continues, the earliest followers of Jesus become bold as they take the good news out, empowered by the Holy Spirit. They had faced persecution, but the death of Stephen caused the disciples of Jesus to scatter, fleeing Jerusalem. The next phase of Acts sees the good news start to spread to non-Jewish people, and with that comes conflict, confusion, more persecution, but ultimately the fulfillment of the ancient promise to Abraham. and on the way there, we meet a man named Saul, who is passionate for God in the extreme. Scott and Jo continue our new series on the Book of Acts, covering Chapters 8 and 9.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: The Book of Acts : A Commentary by C. Peter WagnerBook: ESV Expository Commentary: John - ActsWebsite: The Bible Project: ActsBible Text: ESV Online: ActsThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie

The opening chapters of Acts catapult the early believers from a Jewish sect to a persecuted and scattered alternative to the religious establishment in Israel. The early chapters recount growth, opposition, sermons, and salvations - all centred around the work of the Holy Spirit through the early church. The Book of Acts: for some, a handbook on church planting and mission movements; for others, a record of a time of church growth that is past and gone. But there are timely lessons and important examples for us in Acts in this time of global unrest. Scott and Jo continue our new series on the Book of Acts, covering Chapter 1-8:3.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: The Book of Acts : A Commentary by C. Peter WagnerBook: ESV Expository Commentary: John - ActsWebsite: The Bible Prject: ActsBible Text: ESV Online: ActsThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott &

The Book of Acts: for some, a handbook on church planting and mission movements; for others, a record of a time of church growth that is past and gone. But there are timely lessons and important examples for us in Acts in this time of global unrest. To understand this book deeply, Scott and Jo begin our new series on the Book of Acts with this introduction episode. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: The Book of Acts : A Commentary by C. Peter WagnerBook: ESV Expository Commentary: John - ActsWebsite: The Bible Prject: ActsBible Text: ESV Online: ActsThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Malachi completes the book of The 12, and it finishes with many of the same themes and it offers the reader a weighty promise. It sets up the reader for the New Testament story, with the promise of a reversal to the curse over the families of the earth. Often quoted but sometimes misunderstood, Malachi talks to the heart of God's priesthood and the motivation of God's people going forward.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: ESV Commentary: Daniel-MalachiWebsite: The Bible Project - MalachiThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Zechariah is the largest of The 12 minor prophets, and portrays the sweeping plan of God's redemptive work, across the nation of Israel, the spiritual people of God, and God's dealings with the nations. The post-exilic prophetic voice calls out the lies of the enemy over God's people and shows us God as the mighty defender and restorer of His people.Scott and Jo tackle this epic prophetic volume that compares with Ezekiel and Revelation in its vivid and strange visions. Take a dive into the bizarre yet powerful text that Zechariah presents to us.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: ESV Commentary: Daniel-MalachiWebsite: The Bible Project - ZechariahThanks to Tim Whittle for post-production on this episode.Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Haggai is a short post-exilic book that looks at the hearts of the Israelites as they enter back into the promised land. Having returned to the promised land for 20 years, God, through the hand of the prophet Haggai, confronts the people of God as to why they had not yet rebuilt the temple. Instead of building God's house, they were caught up in living in their own fully furnished houses. This book confronts the reader to submit their entire lives to God so that He may prove Himself faithful to the covenants that He has made. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: ESV Commentary: Daniel-MalachiWebsite: The Bible Project - HaggaiGet more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Zephaniah is a confronting look at the reality of God's response to human disobedience. His covenant commitment to discipline and restoration are shocking when we come to Zephaniah's prophetic oracle. But a closer look behind the scenes as God's heart for the world in preserving a faithful remnant from all the nations depicts the true character of God in the tumultuous times of the Jewish exile. In our last episode before the summer break, Scott and Jo take a deep dive into Zephaniah's world.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Music: John Mark McMillan - Mercury & Lightning (Spotify)Book: Malcolm Gladwell - Talking to StrangersBook: ESV Commentary: Daniel-MalachiWebsite: The Bible Project - ZephaniahGet more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Habakkuk is a potent book depicting a powerful God, who both brings judgment and salvation. Join Jo and Scott as they did into the text of this often quoted but little known book. The Minor Prophets are continually books that challenge our picture of God, and how punishment, sin, and evil are connected to human brokenness. God consistently draws us back to intimacy with Him in Habakkuk, despite the confusing and challenge oracles declaring Babylon as God's chosen instrument of judgment on Judah. Yet it contains a cornerstone passage of the Christian life. What a challenge book!Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: ESV Commentary: Daniel-MalachiWebsite: The Bible Project - HabakkukGet more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Nahum completes three books in the Minor Prophets that address the nation of Assyria and their interaction with God and His covenant people, Israel. Nahum doesn't as clearly express the hope that some of the other books of The Twelve do, but Nahum reveals the power of God as He works to bring His redemptive plan to all humanity. Nahum once again addresses the inequality of society, both the Judeans and the Assyrians, and the consequences for rejecting God. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: ESV Commentary: Daniel-MalachiWebsite: The Bible Project - NahumGet more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Micah is often called the prophet of the oppressed. In episode 6 of their look at The 12, Jo and Scott examine this prophetic onslaught in the middle of the Minor Prophets. Micah's powerful book is full of juxtaposing judgement and salvation language, which confronts the reader as to their heart-motivation, their actions towards those less fortunate than themselves, and ultimately to the purposes of God as He establishes his kingdom. As you listen to Micah's message, allow God to open your understanding toward His priorities and purposes, beyond human religious efforts and self-serving practices.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Podcast: Prophecy in Scripture 1: The Old Testament; 2: The New Testament and the ChurchBook: 'The Minor Prophets:​ A Commentary on Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi'Website: The Bible Project - MicahGet more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes,

In episode 5 of our series on The 12, the Minor Prophets, Jo and Scott take a look at the book of Jonah. A short story that is loaded with meaning, Jonah packs a solid punch for both the original readers and everyone since: how do you handle the blessing of God on those you don't want to be blessed? Jonah is full of references to the wider narrative of scripture, both in the Old Testament and the New, and we even find Jonah's story on Jesus' lips when He speaks of crucifixion and resurrection. Jonah is a book that ultimately asks us very personal searching questions.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: 'ESV Commentary: Daniel - Malachi'Book: 'The Minor Prophets:​ A Commentary on Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi'Website: The Bible Project - JonahGet more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.q8sb64py

The Minor Prophets are a collection of books that can be confronting, confusing and mysterious. In episode 4 of our series on the Minor Prophets, Jo and Scott take a look at the book of Obadiah. This short 1 chapter oracle, is a vision of Obadiah against the nation of Edom which points out the violence of Edom against their brother nation Israel. This book not only speaks to the judgment of God in the Day of the Lord but also to the forthcoming rule of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: 'ESV Commentary: Daniel - Malachi'Book: 'The Minor Prophets:​ A Commentary on Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi'Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Thanks to Tim Whittle for editing this episode.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

The Minor Prophets are a collection of books that can be confronting, confusing and mysterious. In episode 3 of our series on the Minor Prophets, Jo and Scott take a look at the book of Amos. A pretty heavy text concerning the judgment on the nation of Israel because of their disobedience, idolatry, and syncretism, there are lessons for us to learn, with a glimpse of the ultimate hope that God offers. Amos holds a strong warning for how we interact with those less fortunate than ourselves, and how we use the influence and blessing God has given us. Amos is a salient reminder to the responsibility placed on those who have received God's good news.Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams:Book: 'ESV Commentary: Daniel - Malachi'Book: 'The Minor Prophets:​ A Commentary on Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi'Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'.Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

The Minor Prophets are a collection of books that can be confronting, confusing and mysterious. Scott and Jo begin a new series looking at each of these twelve books with this second episode focussing on Joel. What is the Day of the Lord? and what's all this talk of locusts about? Joel is a prophetic book which comments on the realness of exile and the judgment that is coming for the Israelites. Read correctly, Joel is profoundly purposeful and useful for the contemporary church. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams: Book: 'ESV Commentary: Daniel - Malachi' Book: 'The Minor Prophets : A Commentary on Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi' Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

The Minor Prophets are a collection of books that can be confronting, confusing and mysterious. Scott and Jo begin a new series looking at each of these twelve books, beginning with the Prophet Hosea. Taking a look at the whole Book of the Twelve (as it is referred to in the Hebrew Bible: one book made up of twelve different prophetic records), Hosea stands as both an intense example of these short but potent prophets, but also as an introduction to the twelve Minor Prophets as a whole. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams: Book: 'ESV Commentary: Daniel - Malachi' Book: 'The Minor Prophets : A Commentary on Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi' Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Scott and Jo conclude their look at biblical prophecy, looking at the New Testament's teaching and presentation of the prophetic ministry, and what implications that has for church life for each of us. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams: Book: 'Surprised by the Voice of God' by Jack Deere Book: 'Surprised by the Power of the Spirit' by Jack Deere Book: 'The Beginner's Guide to Prophecy' by Jack Deere Resource: Global Awakening's School of Healing and Impartation: Kingdom Foundations Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks to Donna Lowe for researching and preapring materials for this podcast. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Scott and Jo examine the role and work of the prophets and prophecy in the Old Testament. This is the first of two episodes looking at biblical prophecy. There is significant continuity and discontinuity between the role and function of prophecy and the prophets between the testaments, and a foundation of both will situate us well to understand the modern church context of prophcy, prophet, and God's word. Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams: Podcast: Bible Streams: 'The Former Prophets' Podcast: Bible Streams: 'The Latter Prophets' Website: YouVersion - The Bible App Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.

Scott and Jo have the tables turned on them, as Noah and Jake (two students from Riverlife Youth) come into the studio to ask them all their toughest Bible questions. Get inspired to grow in your hunger for the word, and be encouraged by Jake and Noah's natural inquisitiveness. They cover some helpful questions about reading the Bible for daily living, how we can know the Bible is true, and even tackling Satan and the problem of evil! Resources/Links mentioned in this episode or helpful for Bible Streams: Podcast: Bible Streams: 'Understanding Bible Translations' Website: YouVersion - The Bible App Get more info at Riverlife Church, and find us on Facebook and Instagram. Music credit: Scott & Annie McKinnon, 'Revive'. Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, Android and Spotify.