In this episode, we move from the joy of God’s open invitation to the sobering reality of discipleship. After telling the Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus shifts the conversation from being invited to what it actually means to follow Him.

This passage is bold, uncomfortable, and deeply clarifying. Jesus refuses half-hearted followers. He calls us to examine our loyalties, our priorities, and the sacrifices we’re actually willing to make for the sake of the Kingdom.

We’ll unpack:
✨ Why Jesus uses extreme language like “hate” to describe the level of devotion He requires
✨ What “carrying your cross” meant in the first century—and what it means for us now
✨ What the two parables (the builder and the king) teach us
✨ Why discipleship is impossible without surrender
✨ What Jesus means when He warns that “salt that loses its flavor is worthless”

Jesus offers life, purpose, and belonging—but He also demands everything.

#Luke14 #CountTheCost #Discipleship #CarryYourCross #TeachingsOfJesus #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudyCommunity #KingdomLiving #FaithOverComfort #SurrenderToJesus #BiblicalTruth #GospelChallenge

#LikeJasper #CommitmentToChrist

During this episode, Sara and Brittany go through the first half of Luke chapter 14. They discuss some tips given by The Bible Project on how to read and interpret parables and common types of parables.

They explore one of Jesus’ most surprising dinner party moments. What begins as a tense Sabbath meal with Pharisees quickly becomes a powerful lesson on humility, hospitality, and God’s upside-down Kingdom.

Jesus challenges social norms, exposes hidden pride, and tells a parable that flips the script on who gets invited to God’s feast. The Great Banquet isn’t about status, titles, or appearances. It’s about responding to the invitation when it comes.

We’ll unpack:
✨ Why Jesus healed on the Sabbath in front of His critics
✨ What true humility looks like at God’s table
✨ How the Great Banquet reveals God’s heart for the overlooked
✨ What this passage calls us to do in our modern world

A challenging and hope-filled message reminding us: Everyone is invited, but not everyone says yes.

Sara ends with a challenge to go and read Romans 11:11-25

#ParableOfTheBanquet #GospelStudy #BiblePodcast #JesusTeachings #KingdomOfGod #FaithInAction #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalTruth #Humility #OpenTable #DiscipleshipJourney #BibleStudyCommunity #Luke14

#LikeJasper

In a world that seems to thrive on outrage, Jesus calls His followers to something radically different—living unoffendable. In today’s episode, we dig into what Scripture says about guarding our hearts, responding with grace, and reflecting the character of Christ even when we’re hurt, misunderstood, or mistreated.

In this episode of Like Jasper, a sequel to The History of Mormonism, we explore the key differences between Mormonism and biblical Christianity. From views of God, Jesus, and salvation to the role of extra-biblical writings, we highlight where the two faiths diverge and why it matters for understanding truth and discipleship.

#LikeJasperPodcast #MormonismVsChristianity #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalTruth #FaithJourney #Apologetics #BibleStudy #JesusIsLord

In this episode, we take a closer look at the rise of Mormonism—its beginnings with Joseph Smith, the translation of the Book of Mormon, the early church’s growth, and the challenges and controversies that have shaped it, as well as its ongoing influence on culture and faith conversations today.

#LikeJasperPodcast #HistoryOfMormonism #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #BibleHistory #ReligiousHistory #JosephSmith #BookOfMormon #ChurchHistory

In this episode, we explore the question: Can the Bible be trusted as a historically reliable document? Using the same standards scholars apply to all ancient literature, we examine the Bible through four critical lenses:

1. Bibliographic Evidence
   We look at the sheer number of ancient manuscripts, their dating, and their consistency. Compared to other classical works like Plato, the New Testament has an unmatched volume of early manuscripts

2. Internal EvidenceThe Bible's internal consistency, eyewitness accounts, and detailed historical references support its credibility. The Gospels, for example, are rooted in firsthand or closely sourced testimonies, and the writers show remarkable agreement despite coming from different backgrounds.

3. External EvidenceWe discuss how archaeological discoveries, non-Christian historical sources (like Josephus and Tacitus), and documented cultural practices align with biblical narratives, reinforcing their authenticity.

4. Transmission History
   The Bible’s preservation over centuries—through meticulous copying by scribes, the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and textual criticism—shows a surprisingly stable transmission of the text over millennia.

Finally, we touch on scientific discoveries that affirm biblical

Together, these evidences build a strong case that the Bible is not only a book of faith, but also one of historical and intellectual integrity.

#HistoricalJesus#BiblicalEvidence #ScienceAndTheBible #IsTheBibleTrue #ChristianPodcast #FaithBasedPodcast

• #BibleTruth #BiblicalReliability #Apologetics

• #ScriptureAndScience #ChristianApologetics#BibleHistory

How did the 27 books of the New Testament come together—and why were these specific writings chosen? In this episode of Like Jasper, we walk through the fascinating and faith-strengthening history behind the formation of the New Testament.

We explore:

📜 Apostolic Authorship – Why early Christians prioritized writings from the apostles or their close companions (like Luke and Mark).
🧪 Orthodoxy – How the early Church recognized books that aligned with the teachings of Jesus and the Hebrew Scriptures.
📖 Widespread Use – Which texts were being read and taught across churches by the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
⛪ The Role of Church Councils – How gatherings like the Synod of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD) confirmed what most Christians already recognized as Scripture.

We also debunk common myths—like the idea that the Bible was decided behind closed doors for political reasons—and instead show how the canon was more discovered than dictated.

By the end, you’ll see that the New Testament wasn’t randomly compiled, but carefully preserved, guided by God through history to reflect the true gospel of Christ.

• #NewTestamentHistory #HowTheBibleWasFormed

• #BibleCanon #ChristianApologetics #TrustTheBible

• #BibleTruth #LikeJasper #ChristianPodcast

In this episode of Like Jasper, we dive into the fascinating history of how the Old Testament came to be. From the earliest writings of Moses, to the recognition of the Hebrew Scriptures by Jewish leaders, we trace the journey of God’s Word. We explore how each book was eventually confirmed as inspired Scripture. Along the way, we see how God’s providence ensured that His Word remained unshaken despite centuries of opposition.

This episode reminds us that the Old Testament is not just a collection of ancient books—it is a testimony of God’s faithfulness, pointing us to His promises fulfilled in Christ.

#LikeJasperPodcast #OldTestament #BibleHistory #PreservationOfScripture #GodsWord #ChristianPodcast #BibleStudy #FaithJourney #BiblicalHistory