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Regeneration

On Mission with Jesus | Work as a Witness (Dick Wiedenheft) | February 8, 2026

·28 min·2 clips
Why does the speaker say Jesus is the only one worthy to untangle the knots or put out the fires in your life?
The episode begins with an invitation to reflect on personal struggles and trust Jesus as the only one worthy to lead. It then transitions to discussing the importance of work in Christian life, citing professor Paul Stevens' view that work is the number one context for spiritual formation. The speaker introduces the book of Daniel as wisdom literature for navigating faith in pagan environments. Daniel and his friends are taken to Babylon, where they face pressures like re-education in Babylonian religion, name changes to reflect pagan gods, and non-kosher food. The episode outlines three lessons from Daniel: do your best work even in hostile settings, choose your battles rather than fighting every issue, and take stands strategically with win-win solutions. Daniel's approach to the food issue—proposing a 10-day test with vegetables—is highlighted as a model of respectful, faith-driven negotiation. The speaker connects this to modern workplaces, encouraging listeners to shape culture rather than be shaped by it. The episode format includes a sermon segment followed by a planned panel discussion, though the panel is not included in the transcript. Recurring themes include identity formation through work, the tension between faith and culture, and practical wisdom for everyday witness. The tone is educational and pastoral, aimed at applying biblical narratives to contemporary life.

As heard by us

A patient sermon connects Daniel's Babylonian training with faithful witness in culture.

Jesus is framed as the only one worthy to lead when life, or the wider world, feels tangled or on fire, and that opening carries the episode into Daniel in Babylon.

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Why you'd press play

When work is tangled by pressure and culture, Daniel's story gives you a measured way to look toward God.

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