JesusSmartX

Some are rich — just in all the wrong ways. Jesus had something different in mind.Let's unpack what it means to step off the expressway of self and into the off-road adventure of Kingdom generosity. From investing in relationships to leveraging resource for others, living rich toward God is not just a posture. It's a path toward the greatest treasures on earth and beyond and in the New Heavens and New Earth on the horizon.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast. Each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com/smartedit.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Rich in All the Wrong Ways. Are You Rich Toward God?Friend, welcome to Jesus Smart X. I'm Brian Del Turco, your host.What does it mean to be rich toward God? Jesus coined that phrase. We're going to touch on it today in this short episode. Being rich toward God points to a lifestyle that yields the highest harvest, both now and forever.This episode is based on a guest post by Matt Peterson, a pastor in North Carolina, published on JesusSmart.com. It might just change how you invest your days and weeks.A quick encouragement: check out the last episode, Willing and Obedient: The Blessing Is in Motion, a Jesus Smart 180. We looked at obedience as the on-ramp to God's blessing. Today we're staying in that neighborhood, unpacking what it means to live rich toward God.The question on the table: are you rich toward God? Am I? What does it mean?Before we get into it, subscribe to the Smart Edit newsletter for weekly Kingdom insight at jesussmart.com/smartedit.The Parable of the Rich FoolJesus was teaching in Luke 12 when someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or arbiter over you?" And then he said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed, for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."He told them a parable. The land of a certain rich man was very productive, and he began reasoning to himself. Notice what he said to himself. He never once thought, I have a superabundance. Maybe I should give some of it away and help the poor.Instead he said, "This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul: you have many goods laid up for many years to come. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry."But God said to him, "You fool. This very night your soul is required of you. And now who will own what you have prepared?"Then Jesus concludes: "So is the man who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."There's the phrase.The Expressway of MeJesus knows that a lifestyle of generosity and sowing reaps the highest harvest, in this life and in the age to come. The question worth sitting with: will our future self thank our current self for how we lived?Jesus is not saying don't prepare for the future. He's not saying never spend anything on yourself or enjoy life. Paul told Timothy that it is God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.What Jesus is sharing is a secret more important than self-preservation or self-increase. It's the secret of stepping off the wide expressway everyone's racing on. Call it the expressway of me. Onto an off-road adventure of living as a giver of riches.What does it mean to live rich toward God? It means living on a path where you discover the greatest treasures on earth. And what are the greatest treasures on earth? People. Jesus came and gave it all for people.It's a journey with constant opportunity: encourage the wilted, give water to the thirsty, celebrate the successes of others, ask how you can add value, multiply value, enhance someone's progress. Weep with the suffering and find ways to free the oppressed.You can find the full show notes for this episode at jesussmart.com/375.Serving the KingWhat we're really doing when we live this way is serving the Kingdom of Heaven. In effect, we are serving the King himself.Being rich toward God means joyfully volunteering in the mission of serving the purposes of the Kingdom, and that is fundamentally an investment in people. When I invest in relationships, serving my now-adult children, my wife, brothers and sisters in Christ, even those outside the Kingdom, I am being rich toward God.The world defines success as being rich toward yourself. And those who go all the way down that road will tell you, if they're honest, that it's empty. Depressing. There's no real fulfillment in it. No peace.But when we leverage our resources, our energy, our prayers toward others in need, we are richly lavishing on God. Remember what Jesus said: when you've done it to the least of these, you did it to me.When I spend the best part of my day conversing with God, walking with him, listening to my Father, I am being rich toward him. And out of that intimacy, that conversational relationship, I will be rich toward God by investing in others.Give What You HaveLiving rich toward God means giving what we do have instead of waiting for more to give. You have time. You have energy. You have some money, some talents and giftings, some material things. We don't wait until we have more before we start giving. We start with what we have.It means finding ways to make another life richer with intentional words of encouragement. What if we took up the habit: every day, do something intentional. Text somebody. Email someone. Call someone. Go analog and tell someone face to face. Give a word of blessing. Give a word of encouragement and support, rather than being fixated on our own needs and our own quest for pleasure.Here's the thing: we will enjoy life better when we are rich toward God, which means being rich toward others for whom Jesus died.Investing in EternityLiving rich toward God means making the most of our time now, with eternity in view. Ten thousand years from now, in the new heavens and the new earth, what the Bible calls the age to come, we will gather with the thousands of lives we touched on earth. Our future selves will be grateful for how we chose to live in this age: serving others, blessing others, living rich toward God instead of building bigger barns, hoarding it all up, and eating, drinking, and being merry.The Rich Young Ruler was invited by Jesus onto that off-road journey. He couldn't release what he had. He declined.We can say yes. We can live rich toward God.About Matt PetersonI'm grateful for this content from Matt Peterson. He is the Lead Pastor at Awake Church in North Carolina and the founder of Hydrating Humanity, an organization working in the poorest areas of the world with water, economic, social, spiritual, and physical development. Look them up. Links are on the show notes page at jesussmart.com/375.This is a wrap on Episode 375. Show notes and links at jesussmart.com/375. And if you haven't yet, subscribe to the Smart Edit newsletter. It's free, comes out weekly on Thursdays, and is packed with Kingdom-focused content. Subscribe at jesussmart.com/smartedit.

We're coining a new Christmas greeting: "Have yourself a very 'chaordic' Christmas!" Chaordic—where chaos meets order. With decades planting churches in Rome and Brussels and serving with Convoy of Hope, Terry Hoggard helps us see Christmas as the ultimate disruptive innovation—an ongoing dance between heaven and earth. Discover why crisis is often the catalyst for much-desired transformation. This isn't your typical feel-good Christmas message. It's a call to intentional disruption and wholehearted seeking. Because when you're all in, God rolls out a pathway you never imagined possible.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/359👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTHave Yourself a Very Chaordic Christmas: When Chaos Meets Order with Terry HoggardBrian: Hey there, friend. Merry Christmas. I'm glad you're with us. Thanks for connecting today. I'm Brian Del Turco, and you are connected with Jesus Smart, the podcast. Jesus knows how this life works best.This is such an inspiring conversation, number 211—now being recast as episode 359. Here's the title—I'm confident you have not heard a Christmas greeting like this before: "Have Yourself a Very Chaordic Christmas" with Terry Hoggard. This, my friend, is a new wrinkle on keeping Christmas well.Meet Terry HoggardTerry Hoggard is our special guest. He's a veteran missionary who has led international churches in Rome and Brussels. He's a leader of international leaders, a life coach, and he's an executive leader in Convoy of Hope, an international relief organization.Here's an idea: why not gift this episode with a friend or two, and then they can gift it to others? I think you'll see that this is a gift worth re-gifting. But you get to keep the value when you gift a podcast episode.Terry really encourages us that it is going to take a wholehearted mindset and heart set—the strength of our desire, the fortitude of our will. We have to have an all-in approach to engage this Christmas dance between heaven and earth.The True Joy of ChristmasHere's the true joy of Christmas: when we understand that heaven and earth merge in us through the indwelling Christ, all bets are off. Unlimited potential can be released. You see, it's more than remembering Jesus as a baby in a manger. Christmas is a breakthrough merging of heaven and earth, and this changes everything.The incarnation means that heaven and earth are reconnected again in a new way. A seamlessness between heaven and earth has been re-established. Think of it—it is the grounds on which we can now pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."What can this mean for you? What can it mean for me? God wants to be reconnected with us. Reconciliation is a huge meta theme in the kingdom of God—putting things back together again. And a huge part of what Jesus is after is the reunification of heaven and earth.From Barely Enough to Abundantly MoreBrian: Welcome, friend, to the podcast today. I'm really excited to bring to you Terry Hoggard. Terry, welcome to the podcast today. I appreciate you carving out some time.Terry: My joy to be with you, Brian. Thanks for the invite.Brian: Give us maybe just a sentence about a springboard theme for today's episode.Terry: A sentence of theme would be this: it's Advent, and I always have some sort of Advent Christmas theme. This year I'm thinking in this way—celebrating the Christ who changes our "barely enough" into "abundantly more."Brian: I personally need this. Tell us about your work over the years. You started out as a missionary with the Assemblies of God in Rome. Why don't you just bring us briefly up through the present?Terry: Well, you're completely correct. 1984, Ruthanne and I, my wife, we answered the call to be missionaries, specifically felt called to Rome at that time. So we planted an international church in Rome, which was for our organization the second international church to be established in Europe. I stayed there 10 years. I then went to Brussels to pastor what was the first international church established for the Assemblies of God globally.I spent 25 years living in Brussels—10 pastoring that church. Then I spent another 10 working in Sweden and Copenhagen, working with churches who wanted to reach their communities by encouraging diversity and inclusion with immigrants. After that, I stayed based in Europe for five years working with Convoy of Hope, overseeing the international program and the teams who drive the global work of Convoy of Hope.→ Read Terry's complete missionary journey and life coaching story at jesussmart.com/359-chaordic-christmasChristmas as Divine DisruptionBrian: This theme of abundance and getting past this scarcity mindset and scarcity experience that you're sensing this year in the Christmas theme—tell us about that.Terry: Yeah. I think without a lot of heavy thought, all of us have stories of moments in our lives when things were just very hard and times were tough. And very likely we know someone right now by first name who's in the same kind of state. I have family members who are literally living on "barely enough."And it's to them that I give my thoughts, knowing that Christ invaded—I like your word about interruption. He interrupted the world and all the life patterns that were normalized. People who were labeled were labeled, and people who were poor were poor, and that was just not going to change. But Christ came to turn all of that upside down.Brian: I'm really enjoying the notion of Christmas as an invasion. The King is back. What are the implications for life, for work, for ministry? Do you see Christmas as an invasion of sorts—the Christ child coming into this earth, the incarnation?Terry: My desire always is that these days—and I actually dial into the Advent as well because I want to redeem all of these days—our fervent resolve should be to make the most of every opportunity. A great Christmas is a wonderful gift to give to someone who's in a very difficult situation. But a great Christmas doesn't compare to the abundantly more that Christ could provide.If we, in the act of kindness or in wanting to make someone's Christmas better, don't forget to give highlight to the most important thing—which is Christ coming not just to your home or your heart at Christmas, but becoming a part of your everyday—that's going to change everything.Brian: I love working through the Christmas narratives in the Gospels and trying to tease out kingdom dynamics. This Advent dynamic—you know who Leonard Sweet is, right? I don't know if he invented this word, but "chaordic." It's a word that blends chaos and order. When something is chaordic, it's an opportunity wrapped in chaos. It seems like the birth of Christ was quite chaordic, doesn't it?Terry: Oh, absolutely. Everything about Him was to disrupt normal so thoroughly that people could embrace change. People don't break change, they don't go to change until they're thoroughly done with the circumstances they're in. That's the tragedy. So you need someone to disrupt that.Brian: Disruptive innovation is a business term. I'm just seeing the Christ child as sort of like the ultimate disruptive innovation.Terry: Yeah, that's so true. There's nothing about Christ in reality that cuddles the best world image that can be presented. The nativity sets—Christ is this baby wrapped in these beautiful cloths and He's surrounded by hay. The most we can give is not even a glimmer of who the Christ of Christmas really is.The Power of Crisis and NecessityBrian: So practically speaking, in terms of everyday life, what suggestions do you have about pursuing an abundant life in Christ?Terry: I'm thinking about what Philippians says to us. It's very clear that we've been promised that God will supply all of our needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. That's why I want to promote this Christ who can change "barely enough" into "abundantly more."Here's the thing. The reality of His capacity is only fully revealed to us in times of great necessity, necessity and scarcity. That's the only time we get it.Brian: Someone has said that adult learning readiness equals pain. When we feel the need, when we're tired of it, we're better positioned for transformation.Terry: And it's so true. I remember when this hit my life strong and hard. I was told I had thyroid cancer, and it had been in my neck for a long time. Up until that time, I was a pastor, raised in a Pentecostal family, believing in healing. I believed He was a healer, preached He was a healer, prayed for people to be healed. But in my life, I had never been in a spot where I needed a healer.Never in my...

Brian Del Turco converses with Keith Payne to explore how lessons from his earthly father shaped his understanding of God’s Father heart. From a tough, charismatic union leader to a redeemed man of faith, Keith reflects on the wisdom, protection, and love he received and how it points to the perfect love of our heavenly Father. Together, they discuss fatherhood, redemption, and the multi-generational impact of God’s favor and guidance. This conversation is full of practical lessons, inspiring stories, and a reminder that God can redeem any situation.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/357👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------KEITH PAYNEGet your copy of 'Stuff I Got from Dad' on Amazon or Barnes & NobleFacebook -- Keith PayneCarmia’s Window Charitable Fund websiteCarmia's Window Facebook page----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT - Stuff I Got from Dad with Keith PayneSee complete and enhanced show notes at jesussmart.com/357Welcome to Jesus Smart X, episode 357. This is Brian Del Turco, and today we're stepping into a conversation that hits home for every single one of us because all of us have a father story. The gospel music bed you're hearing is from the Payne Family Group, a gospel group that Keith was part of along with his brothers.I saw Keith Payne on Facebook talking about his new upcoming release, Stuff I Got From Dad, exploring how he relates his experiences with his earthly father to things about our heavenly Father—things he learned that transformed his understanding of God's fatherhood. He's on the podcast today talking about his new book by that title. It's a great conversation with an inspiring person, and I think you're going to enjoy it and benefit from it.Understanding Fatherhood: Perfect and ImperfectMaybe you had an amazing dad, or maybe your father was present but imperfect. Perhaps your experience with your earthly father was painful or even absent. No matter what your story looks like, your Father in heaven is not a reflection of your earthly dad. He is the perfection your earthly dad was only meant to point to, and God still can use it and show you some things. Please lean in.God is in the business of redeeming fatherhood. He knows how to re-father us. The conversion experience in Christ is about re-fathering—Jesus introduces us now to God as Father to heal us and to teach us who He really is. This can unlock some healing and breakthrough in your understanding of the Father heart of God.If you're new to the podcast, subscribe so that you can stay connected with future episodes. If you want to receive a weekly shot of Kingdom clarity and encouragement, you can sign up for the free Smart Edit newsletter. Just go to jesussmart.com right at the top of the homepage and you'll see the form there. You can unsubscribe at any time.If you'd like to support this podcast and the mission behind it, you can now do that through Buy Me a Coffee. It's a simple way to fuel the work—completely optional but deeply appreciated. Look for the Smart Edit Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes page.A Quick Kingdom Thought: DustedBefore we get the train rolling, I'd like to share something from a recent newsletter. We have a section called Thinking Above and Beyond. God says in Isaiah 55:9, "My thoughts are higher than your thoughts." So we need to reason with Him, think after Him.Here's a quick hit thought: Dusted. In street language, to be dusted means defeated, wiped out. In Genesis 3, the serpent—Satan through the serpent—was sentenced to the dust. It was really a prophetic humiliation. God said, "On your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life."Jesus later said that we would trample on all the power of the enemy. The enemy's realm is dust level. Don't forget that our authority in Christ is above that. We can stay and live out of that place of being seated with Christ in the heavenly places in Ephesians 2:6 and enforce the verdict that's been issued. Remember that because of Christ, his place is now under your feet, eating the dust.All right, let's lean into this conversation. I believe it's going to speak to your mind and spirit in a powerful way.Meeting Keith Payne: A First Podcast InterviewBrian: I'm excited today to have Keith Payne on the podcast. Some of you know Keith, and some of you will be introduced to him today. We're talking about a very primal topic, a seminal topic—the topic of your father and also the fatherhood of God. We've got a big problem in the world today on this issue. Keith, how are you today? I'm glad you carved out some time for us.Keith: Thanks for having me, Brian. This is exciting for me because this is my first actual podcast.Brian: Your first podcast interview?Keith: Yeah. Back in the day, we did a lot of radio and a lot of TV stuff with our music ministry, but this is the first official podcast, so you are a record breaker, my man.Brian: Well, we're christening it right here. That's wonderful. This could be the beginning of your podcast career. Who knows? I'm glad to have you here. What can the listener today expect to hear as we talk?The Birth of "Stuff I Got From Dad"Keith: The book is titled Stuff I Got From Dad: Lessons from My Father. The whole concept was birthed in the last year or two of my father's life. He started to get ill, and I started spending much more time up there helping him organize things and take care of family business. As you have an elderly parent, you reminisce.What came from those conversations was a realization on my part of the many, many lessons through the years that I had gleaned from him. Not necessarily where he sat me down and said, "Son, let me tell you about how to do X," but it was actually just experiences that upon reflection, I realized there was a real lesson there. I learned what to do and what not to do. There were lessons of what to pursue and lessons about avoiding negative outcomes.When I started reflecting on those, I said, "Man, I'm going to start writing down some of these stories." He would reminisce about his childhood or many years ago, and then I started reflecting: I've learned some lessons here. Then it made me think of my relationship with my heavenly Father. There are also lessons or deeper meanings even beyond what I got from my earthly father.Somebody said in a conversation, "Your dad's life was so amazing, somebody ought to write a book." As soon as I heard that statement, I felt that voice in my head—through the years I recognize it as the Holy Spirit—giving me the unction to say, "Yeah, somebody should. It's you."On that day, I said to myself, "I'm going to write a book." I had no experience. I didn't know where to start or what the proper methodology was. A lot of this was just me writing my thoughts and trying to organize them in a way that would be accepted or easily read by the reader. The whole origin was the last couple years of his life reminding me of the things I'd learned, which then directed me toward even deeper lessons from my heavenly Father.Fatherhood as God's DesignBrian: Would you agree with the statement, Keith, that there is no father on this planet who's perfect, and yet God uses fatherhood to teach us about Himself and to bring blessing in our lives? Maybe, as you say, information or perhaps warnings even about what not to do?Keith: Fatherhood was important to Jesus. He referred to His Father many, many times while He was on this earth. The example, the great example of what fatherhood should be—influencing your children, providing direction—He lived that example or referred to that example. So fatherhood is important to me. I've got three sons.The great thing about my relationship with my dad, my earthly father, is when I was a kid, I...

What if you could see the New Testament not just as history, but as a living story that’s still unfolding? In Part 2 of this conversation, Brian Del Turco continues with Frank Viola, bestselling author of The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. Building on Part 1, this episode dives even deeper into the context, relationships, and divine drama behind the letters of the apostles. You’ll gain a clearer view of how the early church moved with Christ—and how your own life fits into that same advancing Kingdom narrative today.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/355👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTHey there, my friend. Welcome to the podcast. This is Jesus Smart X. We're glad you're here. I'm Brian Del Turco. You're one of about 618 unique listeners in the last 28 days. Really glad you're tuning in.This is episode 355. In episode 353, we kicked off a dynamic conversation with Frank Viola, prolific author and Christian leader, about his book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. It’s a fresh lens on the early church—the book of Acts and the letters that followed, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and so on. If you missed part one, I recommend listening to it first, though part two flows nicely on its own.Also, in episode 350, we explored Life in the Groove: Improvising with the Holy Spirit, looking at jazz and the parallels with walking in the Spirit. Today, in part two with Frank, we go even deeper. You’ll hear insights that could reframe how you read the New Testament, giving you context, storyline, and practical understanding for kingdom living today.Before we dive in, I want to mention the Smart Edit newsletter. Go to jesussmart.com, sign up at the top of the homepage. It’s free, weekly, takes five minutes to read, and will help elevate your faith and influence your sphere.Understanding the Untold StoryWithout the story—the narrative of how it all fits together—we’re open to misapplying and misinterpreting Scripture. Specifically, the early church story is often misunderstood. We tend to read our own century into the New Testament, projecting our practices back onto the primitive church, which is a major mistake across denominations.Some things stand out when the story is put together:The Christian life was lived very differently than most Christians today practice.The way assemblies (the Greek word ecclesiae) were planted and functioned was completely different than today’s churches.The way ministers and church planters were trained in the first century was radically different.People might say they were “archaic,” but if you look at how Jesus trained the 12, there are timeless principles superior to modern ministerial training.Hands-On Leadership DevelopmentCould you give an example of that leadership development?It was hands-on. The disciples lived with Jesus for three years—they observed Him interacting with His Father, saw Him handle problems, watched Him lead. Then He gave them assignments and missions. Paul did the same with his team—training eight men (plus a ninth) in Ephesus for three years, in exactly the same hands-on way.The book doesn’t make prescriptive applications. I don’t tell readers, “Do it this way.” I simply transport you into the first-century story, written in the present tense, and let you draw your own applications.The Untold Story: Why It MattersSo the story is untold—it is what it is, right?Yes. It’s “untold” because no one has presented Acts together with the epistles as one seamless narrative, filling in historical details. My presentation combines Luke’s account with the letters of Paul, creating a complete picture.Applying the Story TodaySo it’s seminal, almost like DNA—something readers need to contextualize in their lives, praying for guidance on how to apply it, without the book being prescriptive.Exactly. It’s not a history book. People may think it is, but the goal is to unlock the New Testament letters with context, helping readers understand them in a fresh way. Most Christians miss much of the letters’ meaning because they don’t know the narrative behind them.Key TakeawaysI look forward to reading more. One major insight—what would you want me to take away?Think of the book as spiritual windshield wipers. The letters are in the book itself—you don’t need to stop and read them separately. You get the background story first, then read the letter, and it opens like a clear mountain stream.Broad ImpactEven just one believer reading it can impact their sphere of influence.Yes, pastors and groups are using it in bulk. You don’t need a particular theological stance—it transcends denominations, because the New Testament is one story, shared across all traditions.Reclaiming the Gospel of the KingdomFrom my perspective, the Holy Spirit is leading the body of Christ to reclaim the explosive gospel of the kingdom. My 2018 book, Insurgents: Reclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, captures that. The Untold Story traces the kingdom theme from Matthew to Revelation.I recently got an email from renowned scholar Paul Barnett praising the book as “astonishing” and “deserving to be widely used,” which was an incredible honor.And for baseball fans, Aaron Judge has my book—he’ll read it next. So it’s reaching both academia and mainstream audiences.Accessibility Meets SubstanceThe New Testament as we see it now is disjointed. We often lift verses out of context, creating doctrine or practice mistakes. This book helps correct that by giving the story, context, and continuity, preventing misapplication.Fragmented thinking is an issue—we need thematic, integrated approaches. This book helps with that.Closing ThoughtsThanks, Frank, and encourage everyone to check out his resources online and in book form.Thanks for joining us for episode 355 of Jesus Smart X. I hope this part two with Frank Viola helped you see the New Testament story and your place in it with fresh clarity. Go to the enhanced show notes at jesussmart.com/355 for links to Frank’s ministry and his book.If you missed part one, that’s episode 353. And for a creative complement, check episode 354, Life in the Groove: Improvising with the Holy Spirit.Grab the Smart Edit newsletter at jesussmart.com—elevate your faith, live smart.

What if you could read the New Testament as a single, unfolding story—seeing the books in their real-life context and discovering the heartbeat of the early church? Brian Del Turco talks with Frank Viola, bestselling author of The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. You’ll see how the New Testament connects to your own storyline in Christ, as His Kingdom continues to advance today. This fresh perspective will help you unlock Scripture and your place in God’s epic narrative. Part 1 of 2.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/353👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTBrian: Welcome to the podcast! Today, I’m thrilled to have Frank Viola with us to discuss his new project—a book every follower of Jesus will want to explore. Frank, how are you today?Frank Viola: I’m doing well, Brian. I always enjoy being on your show, and I’m excited to talk about the book.The Untold Story of the New Testament ChurchBrian: I have my copy right here, and I’ve been using it… literally curling it for reps! Listeners, this is a hefty book—over 600 pages—but it’s surprisingly accessible.Frank Viola: That’s right. Despite its size, many readers find it easy to read. The goal was never just a history lesson—it’s to unlock the New Testament, especially the epistles, in a fresh way.Brian: So, what inspired you to take on this massive project?Frank Viola: It goes back to when I became a believer at 16. I stumbled upon a small book that linked the Book of Acts with Paul’s letters. That exposure shaped everything. Over time, I studied New Testament chronology, influenced heavily by F.F. Bruce, and by 1998, I began constructing a full chronological account of the New Testament, filling in historical and cultural details.Solving a Common Problem for ChristiansFrank Viola: The problem many Christians face is not fully understanding the New Testament. The books aren’t arranged chronologically, and Luke’s account in Acts is highly condensed.Add the 16th-century chapter and verse divisions, and it’s easy to misinterpret. My book reconstructs the story from Pentecost to Patmos, blending Acts with the epistles to provide context that has been missing for centuries.Brian: That’s incredible. It’s vital for Christians to see the full storyline of the kingdom, from the early church to today.Frank Viola: Exactly. And this approach has been endorsed by 20 preeminent New Testament scholars. It’s the first book to combine the entire narrative chronologically with full citations, based on up-to-date scholarship.Challenges and ApproachBrian: Scholars will disagree on some chronological details. Can you give an example?Frank Viola: Sure. The dating of James’ epistle is debated. Some scholars place it before Galatians, others after. Either way, it doesn’t affect the overall narrative, which is what matters.Brian: So, it’s about scoping and sequencing—seeing the narrative as a whole.Frank Viola: Yes. The book organizes the 27 New Testament books, focusing on Acts to Revelation, and even includes Jesus’ story and eternity past, giving readers the full picture of God’s kingdom from beginning to end.Making Study of the New Testament AccessibleBrian: Were there points where writing the book became particularly challenging?Frank Viola: Definitely. Balancing scholarly accuracy with reader accessibility was tough. I wanted complex historical and cultural information to be understandable for every Christian reader.Sourcing was also a major effort—over 2,400 footnotes, distilling insights from over 1,000 books. The goal was to create a compelling narrative that brings the New Testament to life.Brian: It sounds like it transforms the reading experience.Frank Viola: It does. Understanding the full story of the New Testament changed my life. When readers see the letters in context, they experience the New Testament in a way most have never imagined.Understanding the Full NarrativeBrian: I love your analogy with LEGO.Frank Viola: Yes! Reading the New Testament in its current order is like trying to build a dinosaur with only 400 of 600 LEGO pieces. Acts gives you the main body, but the epistles complete the picture. Only by combining them chronologically can you truly see the full story.Brian: That really illustrates why understanding chronology and context is essential for faithful interpretation.Frank Viola: Exactly. This book gives Christians the key to reading the New Testament as a connected, coherent narrative. It’s transformative for personal study, ministry, and understanding God’s kingdom story.

Faith unlocks understanding. In this episode, we explore how to access Jesus’ intelligence in daily life — from navigating challenges to making smart decisions. Discover why trusting in wisdom from above surpasses human reasoning. Real knowledge of the Holy One is the ultimate source of insight and understanding for life.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: jesussmartx.captivate.fm/episode/by-faith-we-understand-accessing-jesus-intelligence-in-daily-life-ep-351👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTThe Backdrop of a Turbulent WorldAs I record this episode on September 18, 2025, it has been a tumultuous stretch in America and around the globe. Our world is broken and in desperate need of the regeneration Jesus promised — the new heavens and the new earth.Recent events highlight this brokenness. America was shaken by the political assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. In Charlotte, North Carolina, a young Ukrainian woman was brutally murdered on a subway. London saw unprecedented crowds protesting the government, demanding change. In Nepal, younger generations rose up, burned the parliament building, and forced out corrupt leadership. All of this unfolds against the backdrop of war between Russia and Ukraine.These are just a few flashpoints, but they raise the question: how do we process what’s happening? How do we interpret the swirl of events, both globally and in our own lives?Faith as the Highest UnderstandingHebrews 11:3 tells us that “by faith we understand.”Faith is not blind — it is the highest form of understanding. There are realities that human reasoning alone cannot fully grasp. Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”The Hebrew word for “understanding” carries the sense of discernment or insight — perceiving what is really happening. We are warned not to rely on our own insight but to acknowledge God intimately, and He promises to smooth out our path.We Go Beyond Human ReasonModern culture often exalts the human mind. Think of the Enlightenment and the famous phrase cogito ergo sum — “I think, therefore I am.”Reason has value, but our supreme allegiance is not to our ability to think. It is to God Himself. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One brings true understanding.Dallas Willard, in The Divine Conspiracy, reminds us that Jesus is the smartest person who ever lived.He transformed water into wine, fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, calmed storms, and even raised the dead. He is the cognitive and practical master of all reality — physical, moral, and spiritual. To say “Jesus is Lord” must also mean acknowledging that Jesus is brilliant. He continues to oversee human history.Wisdom That Penetrates Every CircumstanceA.W. Tozer wrote that Jesus is the "ultimate strategist, the perfect thinker, the one whose wisdom orders all things." John Piper has said that "Jesus’ intelligence is not abstract but always practical — it penetrates every circumstance."This means He understands international conflicts, cultural upheavals, and national policies. But He also understands your personal challenges: family struggles, work frustrations, opportunities, and decisions.From the macro of world events to the micro of our individual lives, his wisdom applies.Faith Opens Our PerceptionThe Greek New Testament word for understanding, sýnesis, literally means “putting things together.”Faith enables the Holy Spirit to help us see how the pieces of life fit together. Pattern recognition is one of the highest forms of intelligence, and through faith, God opens our eyes to see patterns, contours, and outlines of what He is doing — even if not yet in full clarity.All of God’s people are prophetic in this sense, because the "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). The Holy Spirit within us helps us perceive and sense our way forward into the future.Wisdom from AboveJames 1 encourages us to ask God for wisdom in trials, and James 3 distinguishes between earthly wisdom and wisdom from above. Earthly wisdom is natural and even demonic. Wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, humble, and willing to yield.We are not left groping in the dark. We have access to the One who knows the end from the beginning. Instead of saying, “I think, therefore I am,” our allegiance can be, “I belong to God, therefore I am.” "In Him we live, move, and have our being" (Acts 17).By Faith, We UnderstandUltimately, understanding is more than data — it is spiritual discernment. The highest form of knowledge is the knowledge of the Holy One. There are puzzles and conundrums we cannot solve on our own, but by faith we understand.So what are the top three challenges you’re facing right now? Instead of leaning on your own understanding, bring them to Jesus, the smartest man who ever lived. He will get into the mix. He will sway your thinking, shape your judgment, and smooth your path.A Closing PrayerHoly Spirit, illuminate our minds. Father, grant us Your wisdom. By faith, we understand. Teach us to acknowledge you in all things so that our paths are made straight.My friend, in Jesus, you are a solver. Don’t be intimidated by the so-called elites or power brokers of this world. They have made a mess of things.But you have the Holy Spirit, you carry God’s voice within you, and you can grow in the Word, in resonance with Him, and in being led by His Spirit.Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement. And don’t forget to sign up for my weekly newsletter, the Smart Edit, at JesusSmart.com.