Ephesians 1:5–6 – Loved in the Loved One
- Why love is the foundation of predestination, not fear, force, or fate
- How adoption is the goal of God’s eternal plan, granting believers full sonship and security
- Why fatherhood is the pleasure of predestination, revealing God’s relational heart
- How all of this leads to joyful praise, not controversy or pride
- Why your truest identity is this: “I am the one the Father loves.”
This message offers profound comfort for believers struggling with worth, identity, and assurance, anchoring our lives not in what we achieve, but in what God has graciously done for us in Christ.
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- Feb 4, 2026Ephesians 1:5–6 – Loved in the Loved One
Ephesians 1:5–6 – Loved in the Loved OneWelcome to Episode 3 of our Ephesians podcast series — “Ephesians 1:5–6: Loved in the Loved One." In this episode, David Christensen continues Paul’s breathtaking opening sentence by addressing one of Scripture’s most discussed themes: predestination, not as a cold doctrine, but as a loving, purposeful, and deeply relational work of God the Father. Paul teaches that in love, God predestined us to adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, and to the praise of the glory of His grace. Far from removing human responsibility, this passage reveals how God lovingly persuades rather than coerces, drawing us to Himself without violating our will. In this episode you’ll learn:
- Why love is the foundation of predestination, not fear, force, or fate
- How adoption is the goal of God’s eternal plan, granting believers full sonship and security
- Why fatherhood is the pleasure of predestination, revealing God’s relational heart
- How all of this leads to joyful praise, not controversy or pride
- Why your truest identity is this: “I am the one the Father loves.”
This message offers profound comfort for believers struggling with worth, identity, and assurance, anchoring our lives not in what we achieve, but in what God has graciously done for us in Christ.About Pastor David Christensen (Th.M., D.Min.) Founder and president of The Rephidim Project, David has served pastors and church leaders worldwide through expository preaching and training, after 28 years as preaching pastor at Galilee Church (Gorham, Maine) and service at New England Bible College as professor and academic leader. He’s authored six books and continues to champion faithful Bible exposition. Subscribe and follow so you don’t miss new episodes: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music Learn more about The Rephidim Project. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or subscribe for ministry updates. - Jan 28, 2026Ephesians 1:4 – Picked by God
Ephesians 1:4 – Picked by GodWelcome to Episode 2 of our Ephesians series — “Ephesians 1:4: Picked by God.” Pastor David Christensen explores Paul’s claim that the Father chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy and blameless before Him, a truth meant to comfort believers and anchor our identity and security. In this episode you’ll learn:About Pastor David Christensen (Th.M., D.Min.) Founder and president of The Rephidim Project, David has served pastors and church leaders worldwide through expository preaching and training, after 28 years as preaching pastor at Galilee Church (Gorham, Maine) and service at New England Bible College as professor and academic leader. He’s authored six books and continues to champion faithful Bible exposition. Subscribe and follow so you don’t miss new episodes: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music Learn more about The Rephidim Project. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or subscribe for ministry updates.
- Why God’s choice precedes and defines our choice and how Scripture holds together human responsibility and divine sovereignty without contradiction (“antinomy”).
- Three memorable anchors: (1) God chose you. (2) You chose God. (3) God’s choice led to your choice.
- How being picked by God reshapes your significance and security in Christ, even when circumstances are hard.
- Why the purpose of election is holiness, and how sanctification is the process of making our practice match our position in Christ.
- The hope of restoration: when we repent, God forgives, cleanses, and invites us to serve again.
- Jan 21, 2026Ephesians 1:1-3 – In the Heavenlies!
Ephesians 1:1-3 – In the Heavenlies!Welcome to Episode 1 of our new podcast series on the Book of Ephesians! In this powerful opening message, David Christensen walks us through Ephesians 1:1–3 and explores the life‑changing truth that we value Christ because He first valued us. This episode dives deep into: ✨ The search for true significance ✨ Why Ephesians is the “believer’s bank” of spiritual riches ✨ What it means to be blessed with every spiritual blessing ✨ How worship flows from sound theology ✨ What Scripture means by “the heavenlies” — and why it matters ✨ The supernatural reality we live in as believers ✨ How our identity in Christ changes everything Through storytelling, biblical teaching, and rich theological insight, Pastor Dave reminds us that our significance isn’t earned, it’s given to us in Christ. When we understand that, our worship deepens, our confidence strengthens, and our entire view of life transforms.Subscribe and follow so you don't miss new episodes:About Pastor Dave: David Christensen (Th.M., D.Min.) is the founder and president of The Rephidim Project, a ministry devoted to Bible exposition and expository preaching. David retired in 2018 after 28 years as the preaching pastor at Galilee Church in Gorham, Maine, to devote himself to encouraging pastors, missionaries, and church leaders through Bible exposition and teaching the methods of expository preaching to the next generation of preachers. He also served at New England Bible College as a professor, Academic Dean, and Interim President, where he taught Homiletics, Bible, and Pastoral Theology. David is the author of 6 books and has taught preaching seminars worldwide.Learn more about The Rephidim Project.
- Aug 6, 2025Daniel 12:5–13 – Rest and Rise
Daniel 12:5–13 – Rest and RisePodcast Episode #32: Rest and Rise (Daniel 12:5–13) | Featuring David Christensen Join David Christensen (Th.M., D.Min.) in this final episode of our Daniel series, titled “Rest and Rise,” as he explores Daniel 12:5–13. This Bible teaching is a powerful conclusion that calls believers to trust God’s purpose, persevere through trials, and live faithfully in the present while looking forward to the future. Episode Highlights:
You can follow Dave’s podcast on our website, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.- God’s Purpose in Persecution (12:5–7): Trials last only as long as needed to fulfill God’s plan.
- Prophecy for Purpose, Not Curiosity (12:8–10): God reveals what we need to know to live wisely.
- Perseverance Brings Blessing (12:11–12): Those who endure will be blessed when God’s purpose is fulfilled.
- Faithfulness is Rewarded (12:13): Personal obedience today leads to eternal reward tomorrow.
- Jul 30, 2025Daniel 12:1–4 – Awakened from the Dust
Daniel 12:1–4 – Awakened from the DustPodcast Episode #31: Awakened from the Dust (Daniel 12:1–4) | Featuring David Christensen Join David Christensen (Th.M., D.Min.) in this powerful and hope-filled episode titled “Awakened from the Dust,” as he explores Daniel 12:1–4, a prophetic vision of resurrection, reward, and the wisdom of living with eternity in view. Episode Highlights:David challenges us to live with eternity in mind, to invest our lives in what truly matters, and to find hope in the promise of resurrection.
- God Delivers His People (12:1): Even in the darkest times, God rescues those who are His.
- Two Resurrections, Two Destinations (12:2): Eternity is real—and our choices matter.
- Today Shapes Tomorrow (12:3): How we live now determines our eternal reward.
- Scripture Reveals the Future (12:4): The more we study God’s Word, the more we understand His plan.
Listen now and be inspired to live wisely, faithfully, and with purpose.You can follow Dave’s podcast on our website, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
