Avenue for Faith: Recent Episodes

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How do I face bitterness and resentment? Can bitterness be replaced with blessing? The author of Hebrews answers "yes," and points us to the grace of God.

The sermon today is titled "Bitterness & Resentment." This sermon is the fourth installment in our recurring series "The Struggles We Face." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 12:14-15. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 23, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Dealing with Struggles and Suffering.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Adrian Rogers, "Root of Bitterness." Video and outline.
• Rick Atchley, "Forgiveness Is A Must." The Hills Church.
• David Jeremiah, "Slaying the Giant of Resentment."
• Chris Beall, "When Bitterness Takes Over." Life Church.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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How do I face pain and suffering? What does a Christian say when confronted with the problem of evil? It seems to me that the problem of pain, evil, and suffering is a problem for everyone; but the Christian has a story that allows the glory of God to be revealed through it all. It is called the cross.

The sermon today is titled "Pain & Suffering." This sermon is the third installment in our recurring series "The Struggles We Face." (Part 1 and Part 2 deal with estranged children). The Scripture reading is from 1 Peter 4:12-13 and Hebrews 9:14. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 2, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Dealing with Struggles and Suffering.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed
• C. S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
• Alvin Plantinga's "Free Will Defense"
• Tim Keller, "Evil and Suffering." Sermon. Feb 4, 2001.
• William Lane Craig. "The Problem of Evil." Defenders Podcast.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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If your religious heritage is associated with the American Restoration Movement, have you ever wondered what makes us who we are? Our DNA betrays us. In this final of a 3-part series, we examine the freedom fount in the restoration movement, as expressed in Churches of Christ.

The sermon today is titled "The Freedom Fount." This sermon is the last installment in our series "Churches of Christ: Understanding Our Story." Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 13, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian History.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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If your religious heritage is associated with the American Restoration Movement, have you ever wondered what makes us who we are? Our DNA betrays us. In this second of a 3-part series, we examine the purity stream of the restoration movement, as expressed in Churches of Christ.

The sermon today is titled "The Purity Stream." This sermon is the second installment in our series "Churches of Christ: Understanding Our Story." Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 6, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian History.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Walter Scott, The Gospel Restored (1836)
• J W Shepherd, The Church, The Falling Away, and the Restoration.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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If your religious heritage is associated with the American Restoration Movement, have you ever wondered what makes us who we are? Our DNA betrays us. In this first of a 3-part series, we examine the unity stream of the restoration movement, as expressed in Churches of Christ.

The sermon today is titled "The Unity Stream." This sermon is the first installment in our series "Churches of Christ: Understanding Our Story." Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 30, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian History.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Last Will & Testament of the Springfield Presbytery (1804).
• T. B. Larimore, quoted in Larimore & His Boys.
• F. D. Srygley, Gospel Advocate (1890's).
• G. C. Brewer, Foundation Facts and Primary Principles (1949).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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Unity. It was the prayer of Jesus. It is the sign of our identity. It is the proof of our Savior's presence. All will know we are Christ's disciples by how we treat one another. For we are one in Christ Jesus. In this three-part series, we explore the blessings, basis, and barriers to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The sermon today is titled "Barriers To Unity." This sermon is the third and last installment in our series "One In Christ." The Scripture reading is from Galatians 3:26-28 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 12, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing The Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Alan Jacobs, How To Think (Currency, 2017).
• Susan Harding, "Representing Fundamentalism: The Problem of the Repugnant Cultural Other." Social Research 58/2 (Summer 1991): 373-93.
• Scott Alexander, "I Can Tolerate Anything Except The Outgroup." Sep 30, 2014.
• On "Conscience Fellowship," See F. LaGard Smith, Who Is My Brother?, Chapter 8.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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Unity. It was the prayer of Jesus. It is the sign of our identity. It is the proof of our Savior's presence. All will know we are Christ's disciples by how we treat one another. For we are one in Christ Jesus. In this three-part series, we explore the blessings, basis, and barriers to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The sermon today is titled "The Basis For Unity." This sermon is the second installment in our series "One In Christ." The Scripture reading is from Galatians 3:2-28 (NIV) and Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 5, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing The Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Aaron Earls, "Most Americans Want Their Church to Share Their Politics," Christianity Today (Nov 1, 2022).
• Kevin Brown, "The Call to John 17 Unity." Mere Orthodoxy (Oct 4, 2023).
• 1974 article "How Sound Are You?" Referenced by Mark Henderson, "People Need The Unity-Committed Church," ACU Lectureship 1996.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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Unity. It was the prayer of Jesus. It is the sign of our identity. It is the proof of our Savior's presence. All will know we are Christ's disciples by how we treat one another. For we are one in Christ Jesus. In this three-part series, we explore the blessings, basis, and barriers to maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

The sermon today is titled "The Blessings Of Unity." This sermon is the first installment in our series "One In Christ." The Scripture reading is from Galatians 3:2-28 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 28, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing The Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Two Coal Piles. Taken from Ken Weilander, "Oneness," Fishers Church of Christ webpage. Oct 31, 2021.
• Two words for Peace. Taken from Sam Wells, "He Is Our Peace." Sermon at Duke University Chapel, July 19, 2009.
• Practical atheist. See Ken Weilander, "Are you a practical atheist?" The Preachers Word. Sep 29, 2019.
• It takes preachers to keep us apart. See Marvin Phillips, "Continuing Jesus' Prayer for Unity." Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop, 2000.
• Barton W. Stone, "Remarks," Christian Messenger, August 1835, p.180.
• Unity creates belief. See Rick Ezell, "Sermon: Unified in Purpose--Acts 4."
• God's presence, Christ's practice, Spirit's priority. Taken from Jeff Walling, "Let's Accept One Another." Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop, 1998.
• Thomas Campbell, Declaration and Address [1809]
• God won't have an aisle in heaven. See John Duncum, "The Creed of Unity: John 17." Pepperdine University Bible Lectureship, 1996.
• I drew a circle that took him in. Edwin Markham (1852-1940), "Outwitted."

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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Then a kingdom of love will be set up, and someone from David’s family will rule with fairness. He will do what is right and quickly bring justice” (Isaiah 16:5 CEV).

The final lesson in our series of discipleship is the final word on what it means to apprentice under a cross-carrying Messiah. This is how all will know that we are His disciples. Doing rightly, acting justly, and living as ambassadors of the kingdom of love.

The sermon today is titled "A Kingdom of Love." This sermon is the twenty-sixth installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from Isaiah 16:5 and John 13:34-35 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 21, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• For the call to worship, I am grateful for the reflections of John N. Oswalt, Isaiah, The NIV Application Commentary on Isaiah 16.
• For the first half of this lesson, I am indebted to Sam Wells, “Love Your Enemies,” Sermon at Duke University Chapel, November 4, 2007.
• For the second half of this lesson, I am indebted to Martin Luther King, Jr. “Loving Your Enemies,” Sermon delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Nov 17, 1957.
• On peacemakers, not peacekeepers, see Wes McAdams, “The Peacemakers,” Sermon, Edmond Church of Christ, July 30, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/live/n48kfDI7wjk?t=981s
• On our first instinct to destroy the destroyers, see Helen Prejean, “Loving Enemies: Is It Possible for Ordinary People?,” Sermon delivered at Duke University Chapel on Dec 4, 2011
• For the line "if your king isn't about love and goodness, your life needs another king," I got this from Ben Hayes, minister at Highland Park Church of Christ in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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What is the call of Christ to one who wants nothing more than to faithfully follow the scorned Savior who loves the whole world? What does it mean to exchange my will for His...and at what cost?

The sermon today is titled "Surrender." This sermon is the twenty-fifth installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from Luke 9:23 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 14, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.
• Dr. Evertt Huffard quote from "Leader Loop," p.27.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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What good is faith, if it has not works? What are words without deeds to match? What would it look like to live what we say we believe?

The sermon today is titled "Live Out The Gospel." This sermon is the twenty-fourth installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from Luke 24:19 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 7, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.
• Stories from 9/11 and its aftermath gathered from internet sources.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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How might we approach evangelism? Come, walk with me. Share my life. And learn of Christ.

The sermon today is titled "Come Walk With Me." This sermon is the twenty-third installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from John 1:35-39 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 31, 2025 (PM). All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• I am indebted to Randy Harris' sermon "3 approaches to evangelism" from decades ago.
• Meagan Phelps-Roper, "I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church: here's why I left." Ted Talk.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.
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Jesus came…preaching (Mark 1:14). Just words? Tell that to creation (Gen 1:3). Just words? Words have conquered kingdoms and forged new worlds. And when it’s the word of the cross, the message of God’s glorious kingdom, the sword wielded by the Spirit to dispel the darkness and secure the faithful, it’s something greater still. Yes, we believe in the foolishness of preaching, for we know what appears so small, weak, and insignificant can rise from obscurity and be used by God to enlighten the nations and save the world.

The sermon today is titled "Boldly Preach The Gospel." This sermon is the twenty-second installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from Mark 1:14 (KJV) & 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 31, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.
• Inspired by a Jim McGuiggan sermon from 1978.

I'd love to connect with you!

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Jesus loved tables. The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. And the Son of Man came…eating and drinking. Perhaps we can learn something about evangelism: who doesn’t love a table?

The sermon today is titled "Making Room For Jesus." This sermon is the twenty-first installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 13:1-2 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 24, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.
• David Lipscomb, “Can We Too Rigidly Follow God’s Law,” Gospel Advocate 53 (9 March 1911) 303
• Darryl Tippens, Pilgrim Heart.

I'd love to connect with you!

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What is the goal of an apprentice? We have learned to be with Jesus and to become like Jesus. All of this is so that we can do as Jesus did…and does.

The sermon today is titled "Do As He Did." This sermon is the twentieth installment in our series "Follow Me." The Scripture reading is from 1 John 2:5-6 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 17, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• John Mark Comer, Practicing The Way.
• David E. Garland, Mark (Zondervan Bible Background Commentary).
• Mishnah, Tractate Aboth ("The Fathers") 1:1

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Back To School. What are some helpful aims for beginning a new season of life? Just in time for a new season of Life on the West Side!

The sermon today is titled "Back To School." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 3, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• For my second point ["Notice Someone], I am indebted to Matt Pineda of Mount Pleasant Christian Church in his sermon "A Personal Mission: Back To School 2024."

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Now these three abide – faith, hope, and love. If Christ be not raised, your faith is in vain, and you are dead in your sins. But since Christ is raised from the dead, He will also raise your body by the power of his spirit. He shall return to make all things right, and we shall live with him forever in glory. We live out of this hope…and we die with this hope.

The sermon today is titled "One Hope: Living Out Of Our Inheritance." It is the seventh installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:12-28 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 29, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Cheeky Kid, “100 Funny First World Problems.”
• Victoria Emily Jones, “This is What Hope Usually Feels Like.” The Jesus Question.
• Gregory Knox Jones, “Clinging To Hope.”
• Merriam-Webster: “Optimism.”
• Tim Keller, “The Grammar of Hope.”
• Shawn Wilhite, “Brief History of Martyrdom Accounts in Antiquity.”

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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If you only have one Lord...why is that hard to tell during an election season?

This week, Jimmy Shaw--a Shepherd at West Side--invites us to consider what it means to claim ultimate allegiance to Jesus Christ.

The sermon today is titled "One Lord: The Supreme Allegiance Which Unites Us." It is the sixth installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV). Originally preached by Jimmy Shaw at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 22, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Show me your way of life…and I’ll show you what you believe.

This week we reflect on our “way of life in Christ” (1 Cor 4:17). We tell of our shared faith story as we welcome 4 new shepherds to lead one flock under Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

The sermon today is titled "One Faith: Our Way Of Life." It is the fifth installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 4:15-17 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 15, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT)
• Mark Rothenburg story on Sandy Koufax
• John Mark Comer, "Practicing The Way" Interview

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is power…freedom…transformation…unity…glory.

The wisdom of the world can’t hold a candle to the mind of the Spirit. And we, people of the Spirit, sharing in one Spirit, walking by one Spirit, empowered by one Spirit, shine like lights in the world, radiating with power and glory that comes from the crucified Lord.

The sermon today is titled "One Spirit: Power & Wisdom." It is the fourth installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 8, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Gordon Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT)
• Martin Luther King, "darkness cannot drive out darkness..."
• William Lane Craig, “The Holy Spirit” (Part 6). Reasonable Faith Defenders Podcast, Series 3.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Paul's answer to the divisive factions in Corinth is a call to unity: one body, centered on one Lord, sharing one baptism. Paul asks them to consider three profound questions (1 Cor 1:13): Can Christ be divided? Who was crucified for you? Into whose name were you baptized?

Experience a call to dive deeper into your baptism. The more we die to ourselves, the clearer stands the cross before our eyes, and the greater our hunger for brotherhood rooted in the finished work of Christ. If we have become wrapped up in our own devices that hide the light of glory, let baptism be our undoing.

The sermon today is titled "One Baptism: Sharing A Common Bond." It is the third installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 1, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• David Lipscomb, 1 Corinthians (Gospel Advocate Series).
• David Lipscomb, “God is Best Pleased with the Humblest and Most Obedient Trust in Him,” Gospel Advocate 54 (May 30, 1912), p.671.
• Definition of "church" borrowed and modified from Tim Mackie.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Unity. It is a central feature of the 7 ones in Ephesians 4. It was Jesus' final wish in his garden prayer. And it is the plea of Paul to the church of God at Corinth. Avoid division and pursue unity for you are one body in Christ.

The sermon today is titled "One Body: Called To Unity." It is the second installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:1-13 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 25, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):

• Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians (Tyndale)
• B. J. Oropeza, 1 Corinthians (New Covenant)
• Gordon Fee, 1 Corinthians (NICNT)
• N. T. Wright, 1 Corinthians for Everyone.
• David Platt, “Praying For Unity in Christ’s Church,” Radical teaching series.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Could Jesus live in Corinth? In our opening lesson exploring First Corinthians, we are going to put on a set of lenses to see the church and the world anew. These 7 lenses show how a Christian can navigate their way in a dark world and yet see others (and themselves) in the light of hope. Yes, Jesus could live in Corinth. The pressing question then is whether Corinth will see Jesus in us.

The sermon today is titled "7 Lenses For Christians In Corinth." It is the first installment in our series "City Lights: Bearing Witness To A Culture In Crisis." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 18, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Everyone I know longs for genuine happiness, lasting peace, real beauty, ultimate purpose, and honest, sincere and overwhelming love. I want you to know that Jesus came so that you can experience rich, abundant life and overwhelming love!

Join me, Nathan Guy, preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, as I share my passion for Jesus Christ in weekly teachings, conduct exciting interviews with other ministers, authors and church leaders, and discuss things learned along the way.

Each episode will offer a recent sermon or interview with inspiring guests intended to encourage you in your faith formation as disciples of Jesus Christ.

In addition, I will link to further resources such as a discussion guide, points to ponder, and recommended resources. Be sure to visit the companion substack site.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

In partnership with:

• West Side Church of Christ
• Life on the West Side: Nathan's Weekly Substack

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Every Story: A Retrospective." It is the fifty-fourth and final installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 17, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Revelation." It is the fifty-third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 18, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 2-3 John." It is the fifty-second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 3, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1 John." It is the fifty-first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 25, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 2 Peter & Jude." It is the fiftieth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 18, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1 Peter." It is the fourty-ninth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 11, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In James." It is the fourty-eighth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 4, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Hebrews." It is the fourty-seventh installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 28, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Find any powerful story in Scripture—then look closely. Past the obvious. Behind the headliners. You will likely read about a woman or man, perhaps a servant or onlooker, who contributes a line, a word, or a gesture.

The servant girl who offers a word of advice to a king. A face in the crowd that sparks a ministry. Those secondary stories that represent the minor key in the symphony. Every one of them important.

In this series, we will consider the unsung, unnoticed, often unnamed characters in scripture without whose contribution the music may never have been heard.

The sermon today is titled "In Memory of These Women." It is the fourth and final installment in our series "Supporting Cast: Minor Characters, Major Lessons." The Scripture reading is from Mark 14:3-9 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 11, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Making A Difference.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Find any powerful story in Scripture—then look closely. Past the obvious. Behind the headliners. You will likely read about a woman or man, perhaps a servant or onlooker, who contributes a line, a word, or a gesture.

The servant girl who offers a word of advice to a king. A face in the crowd that sparks a ministry. Those secondary stories that represent the minor key in the symphony. Every one of them important.

In this series, we will consider the unsung, unnoticed, often unnamed characters in scripture without whose contribution the music may never have been heard.

The sermon today is titled "Those Who Turned." It is the third installment in our series "Supporting Cast: Minor Characters, Major Lessons." The Scripture reading is from 2 Timothy 1:15-18 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 4, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Making A Difference.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Kevin DeYoung, “Unsung Heroes: Onesiphorus.” Christ Covenant Church
• Donald Guthrie, The Pastoral Epistles, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries
• Aida Besancon Spencer, 2 Timothy and Titus. New Covenant Commentary Series.
• Patristic Pillars: "Did St. Paul pray for the dead Onesiphorus?" (Youtube)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Find any powerful story in Scripture—then look closely. Past the obvious. Behind the headliners. You will likely read about a woman or man, perhaps a servant or onlooker, who contributes a line, a word, or a gesture.

The servant girl who offers a word of advice to a king. A face in the crowd that sparks a ministry. Those secondary stories that represent the minor key in the symphony. Every one of them important.

In this series, we will consider the unsung, unnoticed, often unnamed characters in scripture without whose contribution the music may never have been heard.

The sermon today is titled "The Recommender." It is the second installment in our series "Supporting Cast: Minor Characters, Major Lessons." The Scripture reading is from 2 Kings 5:1-4 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 28, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Making A Difference.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Tim Keller, “How We Live As Believers” (2012).
• Imaculee Ilibageza, Left To Tell.
• Le Miserables, Act 1.
• Hieronymus Weller von Molsdorf (1499-1572), “Annotations on 2 Kings.” In Weller, Liber secundus Regum, 15v. Quoted in Reformation Commentary on Scripture, OT Vol 5: 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles.
• T. R. Hobbs, 2 Kings, WBC, Vol 13.
• David T. Lamb, 1 & 2 Kings, The Story of God Bible Commentary.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Find any powerful story in Scripture—then look closely. Past the obvious. Behind the headliners. You will likely read about a woman or man, perhaps a servant or onlooker, who contributes a line, a word, or a gesture.

The servant girl who offers a word of advice to a king. A face in the crowd that sparks a ministry. Those secondary stories that represent the minor key in the symphony. Every one of them important.

In this series, we will consider the unsung, unnoticed, often unnamed characters in scripture without whose contribution the music may never have been heard.

The sermon today is titled "The Power Of A Supporting Cast." It is the first installment in our series "Supporting Cast: Minor Characters, Major Lessons." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 12:12-22 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 21, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Making A Difference.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Charles Swindoll, Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives.
• Valerie J. Nelson, “Dabs Greer, 90: busy character actor played everyman-type roles,” LA Times (1 May 2007).
• Movie: Emperor’s Club.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Philemon." It is the fourty-sixth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 21, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Titus." It is the fourty-fifth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 7, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 2 Timothy." It is the fourty-fourth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 31, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1-2 Thessalonians." It is the fourty-third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 24, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1-2 Thessalonians." It is the fourty-second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 17, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Colossians." It is the fourty-first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Philippians." It is the fourtieth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 3, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Ephesians." It is the thirty-ninth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 26, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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[Audio issues in the original recording]

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Galatians." It is the thirty-eighth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Sometimes, it just takes a father. Compare the character traits of God in Psalm 103 with the story of the father in Luke 15. The last in our "Jesus at home" series.

The sermon today is titled "It Takes A Father." It is the last installment in our series "Jesus At Home: Parenting In His Presence." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 103 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Father's Day, Sunday, June 16, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Vince Miller, “It Takes A Father,” Sermon (2022).
• Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God.
• Timothy Keller, "God Our Father," Sermon (2011).
• The concluding story is based on the wonderful poem by May Patterson, "So God Made A Father." The first half is mostly my own; the second half is largely quoting Patterson's poem.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Forget the power games. What if we all just surrender to Christ?

The sermon today is titled "Mutual Submission." It is the fifth installment in our series "Jesus At Home: Parenting In His Presence." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 5:1-2 & 21 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, June 9, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Nathan Guy, "Submit Yourselves to One Another," in For the Glory of God: Christ and the Church in Ephesians, ed. Ed Gallagher (Florence, AL: Heritage Christian University Press, 2021).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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God loves every person and every home. But there are good reasons to uphold the ideal of life-long marriages, two-parent households, and church-going families as the norm. In this sermon, I’ll show you why.

The sermon today is titled "Raising New Life." It is the fourth installment in our series "Jesus At Home: Parenting In His Presence." The Scripture reading is from Colossians 3:1-4, Ephesians 6:4 & Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, June 2, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Tim Keller, “Parents and Children.” Sermon (Oct 27, 1991). https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/parents-and-children/
• Timothy Keller, Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God (Penguin Books, 2013).
• David Lipscomb & J. W. Shepherd, A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles, Vol 4: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians (Gospel Advocate, 1939).
• Neil R. Lightfoot, Jesus Christ Today: A Commentary on the Book of Hebrews (Abilene: Bible Guides, 1976).
• Sarah Valentour, "The Idolatry of Good Things." Wellwateredwoman.com.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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God loves every person and every home. But there are good reasons to uphold the ideal of life-long marriages, two-parent households, and church-going families as the norm. In this sermon, I’ll show you why.

The sermon today is titled "The Battle For Normal." It is the third installment in our series "Jesus At Home: Parenting In His Presence." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 7:14 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Memorial Day Sunday, May 26, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Carl Brecheen & Paul Faulkner, What Every Family Needs.
• Linda Waite & Maggie Gallagher, The Case For Marriage: Why Married People Are Happier, Healther, and Better Off Financially. New York: Crown, 2001.
• Maggie Gallagher, “Why Marriage Is Good For You,” City Journal (Autumn 2000).
• Mary Harrington, “Normophobia,” First Things (April 2024).
• Glenn T. Stanton, Why Marriage Matters: Reasons To Believe In Marriage In Postmodern Society. Colorado Springs: Pinion, 1997.
• Sarah McLanahan & Gary Sandefur. Growing Up With A Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1994.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Smartphones. Social media. Online living. It’s ubiquitous. It’s the new norm. And, at an alarming rate, it’s harming us. We need to examine the power of presence, shaping our space and managing our time for real encounters over unhealthy habits.

The sermon today is titled "Dying To Self(ies)." It is the second installment in our series "Jesus At Home: Parenting In His Presence." The Scripture reading is from Romans 13:14 (NLT). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, May 19, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (New York: Penguin Press, 2024).
• Andy Crouch, The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place (Baker Books, 2017).
• Edward Tronick, et.al., “The Infant’s Response to Entrapment Between Contradictory Messages in Face-To-Face Interaction,” Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry 17, no. 1 (Winter 1978): 1-13.
• Andy Crouch, The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World (Convergent, 2022).
• Heather Cadenhead, “Why I Quit Social Media for Good,” Rabbit Room (May 3, 2024).
• Greg Jackson, “Within the Pretense of No Pretense,” The Point Magazine, Issue 31 (Dec 17, 2023).
• Isabel Fattal, “How Being Busy Became A Status Symbol,” The Atlantic (April 19, 2024).
• Grayson P. Walker, “Rooted Lives or Activist Lifestyles?” Front Porch Republic (Feb 23, 2024).
• Jon D. Schaff, “Public Enemy #1: Smartphones and a Generation at Risk,” Front Porch Republic (April 3, 2024).
• Emily Brown, “Sixty Percent of Gen Z Says They’re Lonely,” Relevant(April 1, 2024).
• "Are Smart Phones Ruining Our Culture?" Current Magazine.
• "How Technology Works on Us." Current Magazine.
• “Parents have a problem with screentime too, teens say,” Washington Post.
• “The Good Failures of Unplugging.” Current Magazine.
• Brad East, “All together now: Social media is bad for reading,” BradEast.com (March 16, 2024).

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Let’s hear it for the moms! In a culture that increasingly devalues children, mothers are actively involved in a counter – cultural revolution. And in the kingdom of God, says the Apostle Paul in Romans 16, there are communities of faithful people to nurture and provide for our children alongside ourselves. Hear a full-throated defense of motherhood, with a special word in praise of the mothering community we call the church.

The sermon today is titled "Defending Motherhood." It is the first installment in our series "Jesus At Home: Parenting In His Presence." The Scripture reading is from Romans 16:1-16 (esp v.13) (ESV) . Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Mother's Day Sunday, May 12, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Stephanie H. Murray, “The Parenting Problem The Government Can’t Fix,” The Week (Oct 25, 2021).
• Jaime Ducharme, “Why So Many Women Are Having Kids Later,” Time (April 10, 2024).
• Mary Ellen Mitchell, “Are Children A Good Idea?” Comment (March 21, 2024).
• Mary Harrington, “Normophobia,” First Things (April 2024).
• Mary Harrington, “When Feminism Was Sexist,” The American Conservative (May 5, 2024).
• Katherine Schaeffer & Carolina Aragao, “Key Facts About Moms in the US,” Pew Research Center (May 9, 2023).
• Consuelo Corrardi, “Motherhood and the Contradictions of Feminism,” Current Sociology, Vol 69/No.2 (Dec 11, 2020).
• Vicki Larsen, “Why It’s OK If Mom’s ‘Abandon’ Their Kids,” Huffington Post (May 13, 2015).
• Kimberley Wagner, “Redefining Motherhood,” Revive Our Hearts Blog, March 17, 2011
• Peter Marshall, “Keeper of the Spring.”

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 2 Corinthians." It is the thirty-seventh installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 15, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1 Corinthians." It is the thirty-sixth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 8, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Romans." It is the thirty-fifth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 1, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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How should you view your baptism, and the baptism of others? Rest assured there is one uniting baptism, and we have come through the flood together. Let us act like it.

The sermon today is titled "In This Together." It is the final installment in our series "Washed Anew: The Power & Promise of Baptism." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:1-6 & 1 Peter 3:20-21 (NCV) . Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, May 5, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Joyful Response.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• At the beginning, the church watched this video of an eager child baptizing himself.
• Peter Leithart, Baptism: A Guide From Life To Death (Lexham Press).
• Everett Ferguson, Baptism in the Early Church.
• Rick Atchley, “What Is The Big Deal About Baptism? (Part 2)”
• G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament (1962)
• David Wenham, “Paradigms and Possibilities in the Study of John’s Gospel,” Challenging Perspectives on the Gospel of John, ed. John Lierman, Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2, Reihe 219 (Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2006), pp. 8-9.
• Francis Chan, “Is Baptism Required To be Saved?” Sermon.
• World Council of Churches. “Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry.” (1982)
• James A. Harding, “What a Brother Editor Thinks, With Some Comments Thereon,” The Way 2 (July 1900): p. 98

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Why should you be baptized? To respond to the gospel call of Jesus as your brothers and sisters have in the stream of church history, as the book of Acts indicates.

The sermon today is titled "Swim With The Stream." It is the third installment in our series "Washed Anew: The Power & Promise of Baptism." The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:36-41 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, April 28, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Joyful Response.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Peter Leithart, Baptism: A Guide From Life To Death (Lexham Press).
• G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament (1962)
• Charalambos Bakirtzis, “Paul and Philippi: The Archaeological Evidence,” in Philippi at the Time of Paul and after His Death.
• Craig Keener, Acts, Volume 1.
• H. Wayne House, “An Evangelical Response to Baird & Weatherly,” in Evangelicalism and the Stone-Campbell Movement, p. 188.
• Robert H. Stein, “Baptism and Becoming a Christian in the New Testament,” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2.1. (1998), pp. 6-17.
• I. Howard Marshall, Acts, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.
• Joel B. Green, “From ‘John’s Baptism’ to ‘Baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus’: The Significance of Baptism in Luke-Acts,” in Baptism, the New Testament and the Church: Historical and Contemporary Studies in Honour of R. E. O. White, p. 161.
• E. O. White, The Biblical Doctrine of Initiation (London: Hodder & Stoughton), 1960.
• M. J. Walker, “Baptist Worship in the Twentieth Century,” in Baptists in the Twentieth Century, ed. K. W. Clements (London: Baptist Histoical Society, 1983), pp. 24-25.
• David Wenham, “Paradigms and Possibilities in the Study of John’s Gospel,” Challenging Perspectives on the Gospel of John, ed. John Lierman, pp. 8-9.
• Robert H. Stein, “Baptism and Becoming A Christian in the New Testament,” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2/1 (Spring 1998): 6-17.
• William S. Kurz, Acts of the Apostles

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Why should you be baptized? Because of the depth and the riches of blessings associated with it, experiencing your wedding ceremony to Christ, as taught by the Apostle Paul.

The sermon today is titled "Jump In The Deep End." It is the second installment in our series "Washed Anew: The Power & Promise of Baptism." The Scripture reading is from Romans 6:1-8 (NCV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, April 21, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Joyful Response.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Peter Leithart, Baptism: A Guide From Life To Death (Lexham Press).
• Everett Ferguson, Baptism in the Early Church.
• Rick Atchley, “What Is The Big Deal About Baptism? (Part 2)”
• G. R. Beasley-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament (1962)
• N. T. Wright, “Baptism” (Asbury chapel video)
• David Wenham, “Paradigms and Possibilities” in Challenging Perspectives on the Gospel of John (Mohr Siebeck)
• LaGard Smith, Baptism: The Believer’s Wedding Ceremony.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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--[slight audio issues in original]--

Why should you be baptized? Because our Lord and Savior invites us. It is a Christ-imitating, Christ-affirming, Christ-commanded invitation. The Spirit and the bride say "Come."

The sermon today is titled "Come To The Water." It is the first installment in our series "Washed Anew: The Power & Promise of Baptism." The Scripture reading is from 2 Kings 5:1-14 & Matthew 3:13-17 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Sunday, April 14, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Joyful Response.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Peter Leithart, Baptism: A Guide From Life To Death (Lexham Press).
• Everett Ferguson, Baptism in the Early Church.
• Martin Luther, “To Jordan Came Our Lord, Jesus Christ” (1541)
• Rick Atchley, “What Is The Big Deal About Baptism?” (Part 1)
• Pseudo-Hippolytus, Discourse on the Holy Theophany 7.
• Rich Lusk, “Baptismal Efficacy & The Reformed Tradition” (2002).
• Joseph Mangina, Revelation (Brazos Theological Commentaries on the Bible)
• Peter Williamson, Revelation (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Acts." It is the thirty-fourth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 24, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· I am indebted to Dr. Scott Adair of Harding University for his research and help.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In John" It is the thirty-third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· I am indebted to N. T. Wright in a little article first published in his book Following Jesus, where he lays out the creation elements in the gospel of John.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Luke." It is the thirty-second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· I am indebted to N. T. Wright in a little article first published in his book Following Jesus, where he lays out the creation elements in the gospel of John.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Mark." It is the thirty-first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 27, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

In this episode, we return to a series that began in season 2. Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Matthew." It is the thirtieth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 20, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Responsively." It is the final installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Haggai 1:12 & Deuteronomy 4:30 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Easter Sunday, April 7, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Rudolf Bultmann, “How Does God Speak Through The Bible?” [1934]

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Devotionally." It is the ninth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Acts 4:13 (TLB) & 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Skye Jethani, With: Reimagining the Way You Relate To God.
• Richard Foster, Life With God.
• I am grateful for the Bryan Adams line, as well as the helpful examples of family gatherings and serving the poor as 'with' rather than 'for', to Sam Wells, "God Is With Us," Focus 2014.
• Ludolf of Saxony quote taken from Alister McGrath, Knowing Christ.
• John Wesley, "Heart Strangely Warmed" quote
• Alexander Campbell, “Bible Reading,” Millennial Harbinger, New Series, 3/1 (Jan 1839): 35-38.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Theologically." It is the eighth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Luke 24:27-47 (ESV) & 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 24, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Nathan Guy, “Theology Matters." Healthy Theology Website
• Nathan Guy, "Discerning & Prioritizing Bible Doctrine." Healthy Theology Website
• John Mark Hicks, Searching For The Pattern: My Journey In Interpreting The Bible (2019)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Communally." It is the seventh installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 17, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Nathan Guy, “Appreciating Orthodoxy.” Healthy Theology Website
• Nathan Guy, “Believing Well.” Healthy Theology Website
• Joel Miller, “Why Apostolic Tradition Matters.” Patheos
• Savi Hensman, “Thinking Theologically: Bible, Reason, Tradition, & Experience.” Ekklesia website
• John L. Thompson, Reading The Bible With The Dead
• John Mark Hicks, Searching For The Pattern: My Journey In Interpreting The Bible (2019)
• Josh Buice, "Three Reasons Why We Moved The Lord's Supper to Every Sunday," G3 (May 3, 2022).
• Timothy Beal, "The Rise of Rapture Horror Culture", Humanities (Fall 2022)
• Jack P. Lewis, "The Days of Creation," JETS (1989)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Normally." It is the sixth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 10, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Kevin DeYoung, The Biggest Story.
• Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet.
• Stafford North, “Command, Example, & Necessary Inference.” https://faculty.oc.edu/stafford.north/comm-ex-inf.htm
• Milo Hadwin, The Role of New Testament Examples As Related To Biblical Authority (1974). https://www.amazon.com/Testament-examples-related-Biblical-authority/dp/B0006YPGY0/
• John Mark Hicks, Searching For The Pattern: My Journey In Interpreting The Bible (2019). https://www.amazon.com/Searching-Pattern-Journey-Interpreting-Bible/dp/1689634626/
• Elisha Sewell, Gospel Advocate (Nov 13, 1923), pp. 1102-1103.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Discerningly." It is the fifth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Mark 4:30-34 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 3, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth (4th ed). This whole book is extremely helpful.
• The Bible Project: “Literary Genres & The Stories We Tell Ourselves (Podcast).
  https://bibleproject.com/podcast/how-read-bible-part-3-intro-literary-genres-and-stories-we-tell-ourselves/
• The Bible Project: “Writing Styles and the Bible” (Video). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUXJ8Owes8E

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Humbly." It is the fourth installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 25, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart, How To Read The Bible For All It's Worth (4th ed), Chap 1: "The Need To Interpret."
• Dan Kimball, How (Not) To Read The Bible (Zondervan 2020), Introduction.
• Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read The Bible (2nd ed) (Zondervan, 2018), Introduction & Part 1.
• E. Randolph Richards & Brandon O'Brien, Misreading Scripture Through Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible(IVP, 2012), Introduction.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Wondrously." It is the third installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 15:29-31 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 18, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• My enormous gratitude to JL Gerhardt for her book Look To Love. I quoted from her book, and used two of her illustrative approaches: 1 Sam 21 and Gen 1.
• Matthew Mullins, Enjoying The Bible.
• John W. Kleinig, God's Word.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Confidently." It is the second installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 119:41-43 (NIV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 11, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• On the Hittites, see F. F. Bruce, "The Hittites and the Old Testament" (1947).
• Archeological information/slides courtesy of Dr. Dale Manor.
• N. T. Wright, "Forward," to F. F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (Intervarsity Press, 2003), ix-x.
• Bart Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings (Oxford University Press, 2004), 443.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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[Note: audio crackling in the original. Sorry!]

When we are so tired of the voices in our heads and in our culture, we long to hear the voice of God. Generations come and generations go, but the Word of the Lord endures forever. Learn healthy practices to hear the voice of God in Scripture.

The sermon today is titled "Read Reverently." It is the first installment in our series "Read Well." The Scripture reading is from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 4, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Bible Interpretation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• John W. Kleinig, God's Word: A Guide to Holy Scripture (chap 2).
• Brad East, The Doctrine of Scripture (chap 1).
• Ken Cukrowski, et. al., God's Holy Fire: The Nature and Function of Scripture (chap 1).
• "John Wycliffe" -- a mistake! I mean to refer to William Tyndale.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Teach Us To Pray." It is the last installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Luke 11:1 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 28, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• Tim Keller, Prayer.
• Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "When He Doesn't Answer?" It is the third installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Psalm 25:12-21(ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 21, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• Tim Keller, "Discovering How To Pray."
• Dr. Sam Wells, "Three Ways To Pray."
• Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?
• C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves.
• Song leader: Tyler Mayo

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
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Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Does Prayer Do Anything?" It is the second installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 3:20(ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 14, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• I am grateful to Rick Atchley of The Hills Church (Richland Hills, TX) for several lessons (heard decades apart) where he offered material used in several key aspects of the sermon today. A sermon on revival preached 25 years ago (in Jackson, TN) included the opening story of the Golf Legend, and a telling of the escape of Peter from prison (Acts 12). More recently, he preached a sermon at The Hills church telling of his dream in the file-cabinet room of heaven, and challenging the church to ask for more.
• C. S. Lewis' response on prayer is found in his 1945 essay "Work and Prayer" and in his book Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer.
• A list of powerful prayers in Scripture used in this lesson can be found here.
• Song leader: Tyler Mayo.

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Going to God in prayer is meant to disable all the signals coming from our culture, and even quiet the noise in our heads. It stops the outside voices clamoring for our attention, and forces us to be still. Why? Because we are not actually in control of our lives; and God wishes to communicate with us and even navigate our way in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Is God Really Listening?" It is the first installment in our series "Airplane Mode." The Scripture reading is from 1 John 5:14-15(ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 7, 2024. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Series title from Grace Church (Kansas City).
• Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make A Difference?
• Flight attendant speech modified from here.
• "Get me to where it says on the ticket:" a modified Jerry Seinfeld joke.
• R. L. Wilson, "Does God Listen When We Pray?"

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Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "After." It is the last installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 31, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

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Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "Holding All Things Together." It is the fourth installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 24, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• NASA website's definition of gravity.

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Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "Exact Representation." It is the third installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 17, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• The famous trilemma ("Lunatic, Liar, or Lord") is drawn from C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Book 2, Chapter 3: "The Shocking Alternative."
• For the organization of passages, I am indebted to William Lane Craig's Defender's podcast (Series 3): "Doctrine of God: Trinity (Part 3): The Deity of Christ."
• For the language of "in having to do with Jesus, we are having to do with God," I credit my Oxford tutor, Robert Morgan. For the claim that early Christians developed Trinitarian language as an outgrowth of their experience of God in Jesus Christ, I am grateful to readings and dialogue with my Cambridge supervisor, Janet Martin Soskice.

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Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "Radiance of God's Glory." It is the second installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• The opening quote ("I believe in God as I believe in the sun") is from C. S. Lewis.
• On the wonder of light, I summarize findings here: Astrum, “The Attribute of Light Science Still Can’t Explain.”
• For exegesis of Hebrews 1:3, see Alan C. Mitchell, Hebrews (Sacra Pagina).
• On the Transfiguration, see Tim Keller, "Jesus the King."
• The concluding observations--that light is the basic source of life, truth, and joy, but also what can take all these away--are from Tim Keller, "I Am The Light."

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Go back before time. Before all galaxies. There He is. The spoken word creates all things. Can you see him?

That word became flesh. The incarnate one. The express image of gods glory. Can you see him?

Beyond presents and trees. Beyond ribbons and reindeers.is the true reason for the season. God in the flesh, Majesty in a manger, who came for you.

The sermon today is titled "Before All Galaxies." It is the first installment in our series "Cosmic Christ." The Scripture reading is from Hebrews 1:1-4 (CEV) and John 1:1-14 (CEV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 3, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Video Montage from three sources:
  • Source 1: Rocket lift-off. (0:45-1:17)
  • Source 2: Rocket leaving earth. (0:00-0:37)
  • Source 3: Space loop.
• Earendel from various sources.
• Alan C. Mitchell, Hebrews (Sacra Pagina).
• Craig Keener, The Gospel of John: A Commentary.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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There are days we wish to remember forever, and there are days we hope to forget. This is a story about loss and gain, and a God who never forgets the good stuff.

The sermon today is titled "A Thanksgiving To Remember." It is a stand-alone sermon for Thanksgiving and a reflection on the death of my father-in-law and the birth of my son in the same week. The Scripture reading is from Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) and John 16:20-22 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 26, 2023.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• "A preacher learns the song in your heart." Revd. Dr. Sam Wells, final sermon at Duke University Divinity Chapel (May 6, 2012).
• Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (Nov 19, 1863)

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Beyond rules and moral ideals. Read the Sermon on the Mount as every day, in every way, learning to practice the presence of God.

The sermon today is titled "Practice Makes Perfect." It is the thirteenth and last installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 7:24-29 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 12, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• James Bryan Smith, The Good & Beautiful Life.
• James Clear, Atomic Habits
• Christianity Today article: 26 million Americans stopped reading the Bible…
• American Bible Society 2002 Report: The State of the Bible.
• Brother Lawrence, Practice of the Presence of God.
• Lee Daniel's The Butler "Sit In" scene.
• Craig Keener, Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.
• Stanley Hauerwas, Matthew (Brazos).
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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If you want to know who the hurting trust, find out who heals them, feeds them, and welcomes them.

The sermon today is titled "Who Do You Trust?" It is the twelfth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 7:6-23 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• David Garland, Mark (NIV Life Application Commentary)
• LaGard Smith, Who Is My Brother?
• Stanley Hauerwas, Matthew (Brazos).
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.
• James Bryan Smith, The Good & Beautiful Life.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Yes we are called to discern and assess. But Jesus challenges the hypercritical, the hypocritical, and all of us who desire a critical spirit.

The sermon today is titled "Judgy McJudgerson." It is the eleventh installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 29, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Mike Cope, “Speck Inspectors.” Sermon preached at College Church of Christ (Searcy, AR), 1987.
• Craig Keener, Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.
• Stanley Hauerwas, Matthew (Brazos).
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.
• James Bryan Smith, The Good & Beautiful Life.
• Tim Mackie, “To Judge or Not To Judge.” Sermon.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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When you don't have the words. When there are no words. There is a still a word of hope for us. Join us as we rediscover the prayer the Lord taught his disciples to pray.

The sermon today is titled "When You Haven't Got A Prayer." It is the tenth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 6:7-13 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 22, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Sources of Inspiration for the Lesson Used in Today's Podcast:

• Sam Wells, "When You Haven't Got A Prayer," Duke University Chapel (2007)
• Sam Wells, "The Forgiveness of sins, The Resurrection of the body, and The Life everlasting. Amen," Chapter 10 in The God We Proclaim (ed. Hughes & Davison, 2014).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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In the dark. Behind the scenes. That's where the magic happens. That is where Christ will meet us. There is power when God takes notice, and only God is the focus of attention when our deeds are done in secret.

The sermon today is titled "Our God Who Sees In Secret." I was honored to be joined by Casey McDonald, Associate Minister at West Side in Searcy. It is the ninth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 15, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of the sermon.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.
• For more on Enneagram 3's, see Sean Palmer, Fourty Days on Being A Three.
• For ostentatious practicing of righteousness, see Josephus, The Life 290-91.
• For receipt saying "paid in full," see G. E. Ladd, The New Testament and Criticism, p. 91.
• For more on spiritual disciplines, see Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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A perfect love is one that includes our enemies. The only way for this is to remove any desire for revenge or even self-preservation. It is, after all, the way of the cross.

The sermon today is titled "A Perfect Love." It is the eighth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:38-48 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 8, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Craig S. Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.
• Talbert, Matthew (Paideia Commentaries)
• John Piper, "Love Your Enemies."

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Tell the truth. Even when it hurts. Jesus' case against verbal manipulation.

The sermon today is titled "To Tell The Truth." It is the seventh installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:31-37 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 1, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Immanuel Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals.
• Os Guinness, “True Truth.”
• The Brady Bunch, Season 3, Episode 4: “The Wheeler Dealer.”
• Ralph Keyes, The Post-Truth Era (NY: St Martin’s Press, 2004).
• Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Sometimes, when it comes to lust, we just need to change trains.

The sermon today is titled "Wanderlust." It is the sixth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:27-30 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 24, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Peter Yonker, “Going Deeper: Even If You Look,” Sermon preached at LaGrave Christian Reformed Church (Jan 17, 2021).
• Sam Wells, “Three Solutions To Adultery,” Sermon preached at Duke University Chapel (July 30, 2006).
• Craig Keener, The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.
• Mark Regenerus and Jeremy Uecker, Premarital Sex In America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate, and Think About Marrying (Oxford: OUP, 2011).
• C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
• Rebecca DeYoung, Glittering Vices (2nd edition).
• Madeleine L’Engle, “To a Long Loved Love: 7,” in The Ordering of Love: New and Collected Poems of Madeleine L’Engle (Colorado Springs: Shaw Books/Waterbrook, 2005), 138.
• Tim Keller, “Love & Lust,” Sermon preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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What are we to do with anger? Find out with our guest speaker, Casey McDonald!

The sermon today is titled "The Antidote To Anger." It is the fifth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:21-26 (ESV). Originally preached by Casey McDonald at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 17, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Click here for the "Outside the Walls" podcast discussion of this sermon.

Our Guest SpeakerCasey McDonald serves as Associate Minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas. Casey earned his BA (Harding), MDiv (Harding School of Theology), and is nearing completion of his doctorate in Spiritual formation (Liberty University). It is great to have Casey join the podcast!

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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How can you be more righteous than a Pharisee, without losing your mind? It's not what you think. It's more than you think. And it will change the way you think.

The sermon today is titled "Calling All Neurotics." It is the fourth installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:17-20 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 10, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Commentaries on Matthew consulted for this lesson include the following:
  • Donald Senior (Abingdon)
  • Rodney Reeves (Story of God Bible Commentary)
  • Michael J. Wilkins (NIV Application Commentary)
  • Donald A. Hagner (Word)
  • Walter T. Wilsond (Eerdmans Critical Commentary)
  • John Nolland (NIGTC)
  • Stanley Hauerwas (Brazos Theological Commentary)
  • Craig S. Keener (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary)
  • Charles H. Talbert (Paideia NT Commentaries)
  • W. D. Davies & D. C. Allison (International Critical Commentary)
  • R. T. France (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries)
  • Dale C. Allison, The Sermon on the Mount: Inspiring the Moral Imagination.
  • Daniel M. Doriani, The Sermon on the Mount: The Character of a Disciple.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.
• Randy Harris, Living Jesus.
• Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy.
• Jonathan T. Pennington, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing.
• Rick Atchley, “Get Off The Scales.” Sermon preached at the Richland Hills Church of Christ.
• Jim McGuiggan, “Jesus is the Interpreter.” A Light in the Darkness podcast, Episode 25.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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You "are" salt and light. All the time. Rain or shine. The only question is this: will you allow your actions to reveal the reign of God?

The sermon today is titled "Reign or Shine." It is the third installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on September 3, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Commentaries consulted for this lesson include the following:
  • Donald Senior (Abingdon)
  • Rodney Reeves (Story of God Bible Commentary)
  • Michael J. Wilkins (NIV Application Commentary)
  • Donald A. Hagner (Word)
  • Walter T. Wilsond (Eerdmans Critical Commentary)
  • John Nolland (NIGTC)
  • Stanley Hauerwas (Brazos Theological Commentary)
  • Craig S. Keener (Socio-Rhetorical Commentary)
  • Charles H. Talbert (Paideia NT Commentaries)
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.
• Randy Harris, Living Jesus.
• Jonathan T. Pennington, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing.
• Mike Cope, "Light and Salty." Righteousness Inside-Out Sermon Series. College Church of Christ (Searcy), 1986. Audio recording.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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This isn't my best life; but it is my blessed life. If your "best" life still awaits, how can you experience a "blessed" life even in the midst of trials and pain? Jesus shows us promises to accept, portraits to be admired, and pathways to be attempted as we walk hand-in-hand with the Blessed one, Jesus Christ.

The sermon today is titled "Your Blessed Life Now." It is the second installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:3-12 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 27, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Click here if you would like to download "Living the Sermon on the Mount," a free teachers guide and workbook resource for class and small groups.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1754).
• “Ronald MacDonald charged with stealing from Wendy’s in Manchester,” Foster’s Daily Democrat, Nov 28, 2005.
• Jonathan T. Pennington, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing.
• Skip Heitzig, “Stranger Things–Matthew 5:1-12,” Calvary Church.
• Revd Dr Sam Wells, “Dwelling in the Comma,” a sermon preached in Duke University Chapel on Jan 30, 2011.
• Randy Harris, Living Jesus: Doing What Jesus Says in the Sermon on the Mount (2012).
• Brian P. Stoffregen, “The History of the Word ‘Makarios’ (Blessed),” Crossmark Christian Resources.
• Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God.
• Ambrose, Treatise on the Gospel of St. Luke 52.1-2.
• Gregory of Nyssa, Homilies on the Beatitudes 21.
• John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew 15.9.
• Augustine, Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount 1.4.11-12.
• Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Matthew, p.150.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack

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See the Sermon on the Mount as an invitation to find new things to love, and a new community that shares our new loves. This fall, let’s sit at the feet of the master teacher as we learn together what it means to live the good life.

The sermon today is titled "The School of Christ." It is the first installment in our series "One Sermon That Changed The World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:1-2 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 20, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Lifestyle.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• One teacher in Abilene: Randy Harris.
• David Brooks, The Road To Character.
• Robert Louis Wilkin, The Spirit of Early Christian Thought.
• Evan Andrews, “Did a premature obituary inspire the Nobel prize?” History Channel. July 23, 2020.
• Ronald J. Allen, “The Surprising Blessing of the Beatitudes.”
• Jonathan T. Pennington, The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing.
• Servais Pinckaers, The Sources of Christian Ethics.
• William C. Mattison III, The Sermon on the Mount and Moral Theology.
• John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount.
• Dallas Willard quote found here. See his book The Divine Conspiracy.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Everyone I know longs for genuine happiness, lasting peace, real beauty, ultimate purpose, and honest, sincere and overwhelming love. I want you to know that Jesus came so that you can experience rich, abundant life and overwhelming love!

Join me, Nathan Guy, preaching minister for the West Side Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas, as I share my passion for Jesus Christ in weekly teachings, conduct exciting interviews with other ministers, authors and church leaders, and discuss things learned along the way.

Each episode will offer a recent sermon or interview with inspiring guests intended to encourage you in your faith formation as disciples of Jesus Christ.

In addition, I will link to further resources such as a discussion guide, points to ponder, and recommended resources. Be sure to visit the companion substack site.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

In partnership with:

• West Side Church of Christ
• Life on the West Side: Nathan's Weekly Substack

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Zechariah and Malachi." It is the twenty-ninth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 13, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Zephaniah and Haggai." It is the twenty-eighth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 6, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Nahum and Habakkuk." It is the twenty-seventh installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 30, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Obadiah and Micah." It is the twenty-sixth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 16, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Jonah." It is the twenty-five installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 9, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Amos." It is the twenty-fourth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 25, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

· The Bible Project summaries of books.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Hosea & Joel." It is the twenty-third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 25, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Daniel." It is the twenty-second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 18, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Ezekiel." It is the twenty-first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 11, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Jeremiah." It is the twentieth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 4, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Isaiah." It is the nineteenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 28, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Ulysses stuffed his ears to avoid the siren song, but Orpheus chose a different tact. Faced with the options of welcoming the siren song, withdrawing from the fight by stuffing up his ears, or conquering through violent power and might, he chose to offer up a more beautiful song. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The sermon today is titled "Salt & Light." It is the last installment in our series "The Church Before The Watching World." The Scripture reading is from Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 13, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing the Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Homer’s Odyssey.
• Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica.
• David Martin, Christian Language in the Secular City (Routledge, 2018).
• “Theodosius I.” Wikipedia.
• David French on “No Small Endeavor” podcast, Episode 86.
• Brennan Manning, The Wisdom of Tenderness.
• Rubel Shelly & John O. York, The Jesus Community (Leafwood, 2004), pp.25-26.
• Philip Yancey, Vanishing Grace (Zondervan, 2014).
• Josh Ross, Sycamore View Church. Instagram.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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The world feels gray. Sometimes we sing “this world is not my home.” Other times we sing “This is my Father’s world.” Which is it? The answer, of course, is “yes.” This is an important truth when discussing how to engage culture. And it helps us adopt the role of “witness.”

The sermon today is titled "Bearing Witness." It is the third installment in our series "The Church Before The Watching World." The Scripture reading is from 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on August 6, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing the Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• The classic categories can be found in H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture(1951).
• John Stackhouse, Making the Best of It: Following Christ in the Real World (OUP, 2008).
• "As one preacher noted." Matt Chandler of Village Church, Christ and Culture Series Introduction.
• Philip Yancey, Vanishing Grace: What Ever Happened to the Good News? (Zondervan, 2014).
• For the definition of skēnopoios as "maker of stage properties," see A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed (BDAG), p.928.
• Image of an Orthodox priest standing between protesters and the police in the center of Kiev on January 22, 2014 is by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images available here.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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The kingdom of God grow in the midst of the kingdoms of the world. The kingdom of God can be found in every country, consisting of those of every tribe, tongue, and nation. Think about the implications of this. Let’s learn the politics of Jesus.

The sermon today is titled "Not of This World." It is the second installment in our series "The Church Before The Watching World." The Scripture reading is from John 18:33-38 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 30, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing the Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Aristotle, Politics. [Note: Credit belong to Plato's Republic, on which Aristotle expanded].
• Epistle to Diognetus (New Advent).
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Here Are Your Gods: Faithful Discipleship in Idolatrous Times (Downers Grove: IVP, 2020).
• Jonathan Storment, “Carrying a Cross through Political Crossfire,” RenewOrg.
• Andrew Sullivan, “America’s New Religions,” Intelligencer, Dec 7, 2018.
• Harvard’s Cooperative Election Study.
• Bob Turner, “America’s New Religion,” White Station Church of Christ Facebook post, March 24, 2021.
• The Speeches of Adolf Hitler: 1922-1939, Vol 1, ed. Norman H. Baynes (London: OUP, 1942), p.871.
• Joan E. Cashin, First Lady of the Confederacy: Varina Davis’ Civil War (HUP, 2006), p. 2
• Nathan P. Kalmoe & Lilliana Mason, “Lethal mass partisanship: Prevalence, correlates, & electoral contingencies,” APSA paper, 2018.
• Correction: Jeroboam (the son of Nebat) and Rehoboam were not brothers. My mistake! See 1 Kings 11:26.

I'd love to connect with you!

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In AD 150, a letter to Diognetus claims that Christians deny the Greek gods, live in poverty, remain faithful in marriage, and welcome persecution. They respond to abuse with love. This is the church before the watching world. Or is it?

The sermon today is titled "Naming The Gods." It is the first installment in our series "The Church Before The Watching World." The Scripture reading is from Romans 2:21-22 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 23, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under SERVE: Announcing the Kingdom.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Everett Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993), pp. 556-61
• Epistle to Diognetus (New Advent).
• Suetonius, Life of Nero.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Here Are Your Gods: Faithful Discipleship in Idolatrous Times (Downers Grove: IVP, 2020).
• Christopher J. H. Wright, “Confronting Idols.” Sermon delivered at the third Lausanne congress on world evangelization, Cape Town, 2010.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Church growth is about the Spirit at work through genuine relationships. “Our good news didn’t come to you only in words. It came with power. It came with the Holy Spirit’s help. He gave us complete faith in what we were preaching. You know how we lived among you for your good” (1 Thess 1:5).

The sermon today is titled "How Churches Grow." It is the final installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:47 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 16, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity (San Francisco: HarperOne, 1996), p. 7.
• James Bryan Smith, The Good and Beautiful Community (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2010), p. 13-19, 30.
• Samuel Totten & William S. Parsons, Centuries of Genocide, Critical Essays and Eyewitness Accounts (New York: RoutledgeFalmer, 2009), p. 421.
• Lee Camp, Mere Discipleship (Brazos Press, 2008), p. 20.
• “Religion: The Nondenomination,” Time Magazine (Monday, August 5, 1957)
• Flavil R. Yeakley, Jr., Why Churches Grow, 3rd ed. (Broken Arrow, OK: Christian Communications, 1979, rep. 1986), pp. 57-58.
• Norman Bales, A Sense of Belonging (Nashville: 20th Century Christian, 1989), pp. 77-80.

I'd love to connect with you!

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You may be the only Bible our neighbors ever read. You know and I know “there is no way to love Christ and not love his church.” But they don’t know that. We want people to love Christ. What Christ are they seeing in you and me? Christians are called to live “a life that needs God’s love to explain itself.” So be winsome to win some.

The sermon today is titled "Having Favor With All." It is the twelfth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:47 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 9, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Beauty is a $1 Billion industry. Josh Howard, "The Ultimate List of Beauty Industry Stats (2023)," March 23, 2023. For direct stats, see, for example, here.
• Stories told at the door about Christians. Rubel Shelly & John York, The Jesus Community: A Theology of Relational Faith (Siloam Springs, AR: Leafwood, 2004), p. 21.
• Rating Christians. Pew Center Research Report. "How Americans Feel About Religious Groups." July 16, 2014.
• 3% of young outsiders. David Kinnamn and Gabe Lyons, UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity...and Why It Matters (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2007), pp. 24-25. Found in Philip Yancey, Vanishing Grace (2014).
• [Athenagoras], Epistle to Diognetus, in Early Christian Writings (London: Penguin, 1968), pp. 244-45.
• J. W. McGarvey, New Commentary on Acts of the Apostles (repr., Gospel Light Publishing Co., 1950), p. 49.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Any married couple can tell you this lesson learned the hard way: there is no substitute for quality time together. And while quantity does not equal quality, increasing the quantity provides more opportunity for the quality. But hearts on fire for Christ, solely focused on the one their hearts adore, long for this. With glad and generous hearts, the church loves and serves.

The sermon today is titled "Glad and Generous Hearts." It is the eleventh installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:46 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on July 2, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am indebted to Alison L. Boden, “Glad and Generous Hearts,” Princeton University Chapel (May 7, 2017) for the inspiration and approach in this lesson.
• Research included Craig Keener's Acts commentary.
• For "generous" as "simplicity," see BDAG (3rd edition), p. 155.
• Russell Moore, “From the Editor in Chief: The Legacy of Tim Keller,” Christianity Today (July/August 2023), pp. 13-14.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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What is giving all about? Hear the true story of a giving people. Giving is part of who we are, since we are children of the Father of every good and perfect gift. Giving is part of the fabric of our lives because we are clothed with Christ the Giver. Giving flows from the depths of our souls, for we are indwelled by the Spirit who is the Giver of Life.

The sermon today is titled "As Any Had Need." It is the tenth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:45 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 25, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Research included Craig Keener's Acts commentary.
• The 3 "one liners" we tell ourselves comes from James Bryan Smith, The Good and Beautiful Community, Chapter 7: "The Generous Community."
• The 3 responses to the one-liners are original to Clark Dickerson of Dickerson-Bakker Consulting.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Proverbs." It is the eighteenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 21, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Proverbs." It is the seventeenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 14, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Proverbs." It is the sixteenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 7, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Job." It is the fifteenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 30, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Job." It is the fourteenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 23, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Nehemiah." It is the thirteenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 16, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Ezra." It is the twelfth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 26, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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[Note: audio issues in the original recording]

Unity is complicated. Creating unity has often failed us (Gen 11). Maintaining unity is what will heal us (Eph 4). By the Spirit, we have “all things in common” (Acts 2:44). The only question is this: what will we do with it (John 17)?

The sermon today is titled "All Things In Common." It is the ninth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:44 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 18, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Robert Barron, "What Unity In Diversity Actually Means" (Sermon)
• My substack article: "The Gospel Project: Reading the Bible & Seeing Our Baptism Through The Lens of the Gospel" (Interview of Dr. Scott Adair).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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God gave signs to confirm his message. Does God give to his church today gifts to encourage and strengthen them, to help defend his message and make it known to those within and without that the gospel of Jesus is true? The answer is a resounding “yes!”

The sermon today is titled "A Gifted People." It is the eighth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:43 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 11, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), pp. 107-108.
• Craig S. Keener, Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Vol 1: Introduction and 1:1-2:47 (Baker Academic, 2012), sec. 15.6 "The function of signs."

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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The God who created us, who lives in us…is with us today. He’s here in this place. And as we sing, the God who sings listens to our praise. Our praise joins with the praise of all the ages, and all the angels. Sense the awe!

The sermon today is titled "A Sense of Awe." It is the seventh installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:43 (NASB). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on June 4, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Song director: Andrew Robison.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1-2 Chronicles." It is the eleventh installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 19, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1-2 Kings." It is the tenth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 12, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In 1-2 Samuel." It is the ninth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Ruth And Esther." It is the eighth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 26, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Joshua and Judges." It is the seventh installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 19, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time (until his untimely death).

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Prayer is pervasive in the New Testament. Just as Jesus prays at all the major events of his life, even so the followers of Jesus pray at all the significant turning points in the book of Acts. Just as prayer was habitual and routine in the life of Jesus, the early Christians devoted themselves to prayer.

The sermon today is titled "Prayer" It is the sixth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 28, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Prayer in Luke & Acts. See Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), pp. 261-68.
• Why We Pray. See Rowan Williams, Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014), pp. 61-83.
• How We Pray: See Sam Wells, "Let's bow our heads for a few moments," Duke University Chapel sermon (Jan 22, 2006).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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We are one body. We show that we are one body when we gather to take the body AS one body. But unlike every civic club brunch or luncheon, we gather as the body of Christ. And we participate in the Lord’s Supper. Can’t you tell? Just look at how we love one another.

The sermon today is titled "Breaking Bread." It is the fifth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 21, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am indebted to David E. Garland, 1 Corinthians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2003).
• "Advertise our selfishness?": Beverly Gaventa, "You Proclaim the Lord's Death: 1 Corinthians 11:26 and Paul's Understanding of Worship," Review & Expositor 80/3: 385. For the entire opening paragraph (including citing Gaventa), see Garland, 1 Corinthians.
• "Ordinary food sustains": Tish Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary (IVP, 2016).
• "Broom & a spoon" illustration: Sam Wells, "Heaven and Hell" sermon at Duke Divinity Chapel (Jan 19, 2011).
• Greco-Roman meals background. Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, St. Paul's Corinth: Texts and Archaeology (Michael Glazier, 1983). Cited in Garland, 1 Corinthians.
• "When I'm Dining With You": Martial, Epigrams 3.60. Quoted in Garland, 1 Corinthians.
• "See how they love one another!": Tertullian, Apology 39.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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What we experience in Christ, we share with each other. And we only fully participate in the life of Christ if and when we operate as part of the mutually loving body of Christ. This is why Paul wants to tell us to think like Christ in complete and total sacrifice. Yet he begins that section of Philippians 2 by urging us to be like Christ, "if there is any fellowship in the Spirit” (Phil 2:1).

Fellowship is to participate in and share life together. This is why “church” means “community,” especially one that lives and loves together.

The sermon today is titled "Fellowship." It is the fourth installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 14, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For an excellent discussion of church life and COVID, see the Journal of Christian Studies, Vol 1, No. 1 (Jan 2022). Available in full at Christian-studies.org.
• For quote about 4th of July Saturday gathering, see Allan Stanglin quoted in "Pastoral Care in the Pandemic," JCS 1/1 (Jan 2022): 76-77.
• For emergencies becoming norms, see Keith D. Stanglin, "Upon This Rock I Will Build My Livestream: Reflections on Ecclesiological Emergencies," JCS 1/1 (Jan 2022): 28-31.
• Amy Kiley, Roadside Service: Drive-In Church Brings God to Your Car," NPR (March 3, 2014).
• For the Dwight L. Moody fireplace illustration, see here.
• Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians 13.
• On the Jesus community involved in each other's business, see Ed Gallagher, "A Worshipping Community on a Mandated Break," JCS 1/1 (Jan 2022): 14.
• "A true friend helps you move a body." Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World (Convergent, 2022), p. 71.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together [1940]
• For the AA story, see Philip Yancey, Church: Why Bother? (Zondervan, 1998), pp. 48-52.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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I hear our Lord gently saying to us as we read Acts 2:42 (“and they were devoted to the Apostles’ teaching”) “go and learn what this means.” These young Christians were barely dry. Not one of them had a New Testament handed to them as they came up out of the water, because it had not been written yet. Paul had not written his majestic letter to the Romans, or to the Corinthians, or to any of the churches for that matter. He wasn’t even a Christian yet! With no New Testament, this early band of believers “devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching.” To what exactly did they devote themselves to?

The sermon today is titled "The Apostles' Teaching." It is the third installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on May 7, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Alistair Begg, "The Apostles' Teaching." Truth For Life, Parkside Church (Jan 2, 2020).
• Tish Harrison Warren, "Chapter 9: Calling A Friend: Congregation and Community," in Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (2016), pp. 119.
• Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, 4th ed (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021), Chapter 1.
• Scott Adair, "Devoted to the Apostles' Doctrine," Fan the Flame: Renewed by the Power of the Holy Spirit (Acts), Harding University Lectureship 2019 (Sep 30, 2019). Audio and Video.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Dedication takes time. It takes practice. It takes excitement and commitment. When you add love to time, practice, excitement, and commitment, what you get is devotion. What the New Testament calls for is intimate connection through deep commitment within a covenant community. One that blesses those inside, blesses those on the outside, puts the world on notice and causes the world to take notice. A people who inspire because they have been inspired.

The sermon today is titled "Devotion." It is the second installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:42 (ESV) and Romans 12:3-11 (GW). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 30, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Tish Harrison Warren, "Chapter 9: Calling A Friend: Congregation and Community," in Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (2016), pp. 115-27.
• Donald Miller, "Why I Don't Go To Church Very Often, A Follow Up Blog," Storyline blog (Feb 5, 2014). See also Donald Miller facebook post, "The faith I keep, and the religion I leave behind," (Oct 26, 2021). Partially referenced in Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary.
• Cyprian (AD 200-258), On the Unity of the Church, Treatise 1, sect. 6.
• Francis Chan, Letters to the Church (2018), "Chapter 4: The Gang."
• Philip Yancey, Church: Why Bother? (1998), pp. 24-27.
• George A. Smith, The Apple Tree Community (1960). Referenced in C. Christopher Smith & John Pattison, Slow Church: Cultivating Community in the Patient Way of Jesus (2014).
• Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey Vows. Referenced in Smith & Pattison, Slow Church.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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The early church was not made up of the line leaders and kickball captains. We are the community of the have nots. Those picked last. But here is the good news. If you are in Christ, you are picked! You are on the team! You are on the roll. If you are still standing against the fence, fingers clutching the metal rings, hoping against hope that today just maybe you might get picked, I’m here to tell you – you have been added. You’re on the team. You’re on the roll. You’ve been picked. The “less thans.” The “missing outs.” Welcome to the assembly of the wanted. The added. That includes you.

The sermon today is titled "Added." It is the first installment in our "Community" Series. The Scripture reading is from Acts 2:36-41 (NLT). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 23, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under DISCOVER: A New Community.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Collins Online Dictionary: "Peculiar."
• N. B. Hardeman, "Unity (No. 1)," Hardeman's Tabernacle Sermons, Vol III (repr., Henderson, TN: FHU, 1990), p. 125.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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How do we handle life the week after the party? What do we do when the celebration is over? Especially if, for some reason, we missed it. The power and majesty of Resurrection Sunday does not describe my usual experience. Most days just aren’t like that. If the weight of the world has replaced joyous hope in your life, then trust me: you are not alone. And, in the wake of the happiest event in the history of the world, three followers of Jesus share your story. But it won’t be theirs for long. And, if you are willing to accept the good news, it won’t be yours for long either.

The sermon today is titled "The Weak After Easter." It is the third and final installment in our "He Is Risen" Series. The Scripture reading is from Luke 24:31-35. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 16, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Ken Sehested, "The top 10 reasons you know it's the Sunday after Easter," Prayer & Politiks.
• Philip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God (Zondervan, 2000).
• John Townshend, Hiding from Love (Zondervan, 1996).
• Carl Sagan, Contact (Simon & Schuster, 1985).
• Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light--The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta (Image, 2009).
• C. S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters (repr., HarperOne, 2015).
• Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (1601-02).
• Charcoal Fire. Taken from a devotional in NIV Men's Study Bible (Zondervan, 1993).
• Caravaggio, Supper at Emmaus (1601)

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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I wonder…what would count as the best day ever? I don’t just mean for you. I mean for everyone. Pick a day, and I wager that scripture would agree with your high estimation. What do you think would count as the world’s best day? Creation? Exodus? Covenant? Christmas? Good Friday? The Last Day? All good options. But one day includes and explains all of those days…and more.

The sermon today is titled "The Best Day Ever." It is the second installment in our "He Is Risen" Series. The Scripture reading is from Jeremiah 16:14-15 (TLB). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 9, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Inspired by Sam Wells, "The Magnificent Seven," a sermon preached at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London (21 Apr 2019).
• Judith Viorst, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
• N. T. Wright, Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship.
• Gracie Jagla, God the Father and the Best Day Ever.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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[NOTE: audio corrects at 12:47]

Do you see him hanging there, with his back against the grain?

Hear him crying in pain, as he pushes off his nail-pierced feet to breathe, rubbing his wounded back against the grain.

See the early Christians, staring down the Roman Empire, facing brutality armed only with sacrificial love, going against the grain.

And cast your eyes to the wheat field, to the stalks swaying in the wind. Will they simply waver through the summer til the autumn of their lives? Or will they be gathered and crushed, so that they, being few, may be planted in new soil and yield a harvest of plenty?

It seems to go against every instinct—against our need for survival, and against common sense—to go against the grain.

It’s also the way of the cross. But, then again, so is resurrection.

The sermon today is titled "Against The Grain." It is the first installment in our "He Is Risen" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 12:24-26. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 2, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under BEGIN: A Loving Christ and DISCOVER: A New Reality.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Inspired by Sam Wells, "Unless A Grain of Wheat," a sermon preached at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London (21 Mar 2021).
• On the text (John 12:24-26), see also Andrew T. Lincoln, The Gospel According to Saint John, Black's New Testament Commentary (2005), p.350.
• Alexander Jannaeus crucified 800 Pharisees.
• After the Spartacus revolt, Romans crucified 6,000 on the Appian Way. Appian, The Civil Wars, 1.120.
• Varus crucified 2,000 of Jesus' fellow Jews in 4 BC.
• For the story of the Philippian house church and baptistery, see this chapter by Charalambos Bakirtzis, "Paul and Philippi: The Archaeological Evidence," in Philippi at the Time of Paul and After His Death (1998), pp. 42-46.
• "One 19th century theologian": Teilhard de Chardin.
• "Living Significance": Fleming Rutledge's preface to The Crucifixion.
• Chrysostom, Homily on Galatians 6:14. Cited here.
• "O Sacred Head": see the Wikipedia page here.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Deuteronomy." It is the sixth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Deuteronomy 10:12-13. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 12, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

· I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.

· Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.

· Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.

· H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.

· N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

· Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.

· Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.

· Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Numbers." It is the fifth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Numbers 14:18. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.
• H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.
• N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

View Details

Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Leviticus." It is the fourth installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Leviticus 20:26. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 29, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.
• John Haralson's notes are taken from this webpage.
• Jay Sklar's points are taken from this webpage.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.
• H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.
• N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Exodus." It is the third installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Exodus 6:5-8. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 22, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.
• H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.
• N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Genesis." It is the second installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Genesis 12:1-3. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 15, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.
• H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.
• N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Read the Bible with Gospel Lenses. When God says he will bless the entire world through one man. When all cry out for deliverance from Egypt, or Assyria, or Babylon…and God comes to their rescue. When outsiders beg for mercy, and dare to touch the face of God, and they find overwhelming grace and acceptance.

The gospel was preached to Abraham. Every section of Scripture—Law, Prophets, Psalms, Gospels, Letters, and Apocalypse—tells of God’s relentless rescue mission, reconciling the world in and through the Messiah.

Hear every book of the Bible retold through the lens of the gospel.

The sermon today is titled "The Gospel In Every Story." It is the first installment in our "The Gospel In Every Story" Series. The Scripture reading is from Luke 24:27. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 8, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or get the discussion notes.

Click here if you would like to access the entire "Gospel in Every Story" series.
Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I was inspired to do this series by reading Tim Keller, Center Church. Little did I know he would wind up doing a video series covering the same material at the same time! I did not view his video series, but I am sure they are great.
• Michael Williams, How To Read The Bible Through The Jesus Lens, served as the first and most basic resource. I used his key texts and hook questions, and often found his short summary of the books to be inspirational.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, The Old Testament In Seven Sentences.
• Christopher J. H. Wright, Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament.
• H. H. Drake Williams III, Making Sense of the Bible.
• N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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My identity is not what I think apart from the wisdom of God.
My identity is not what I feel apart from the reordering of God.
My identity is not what I do over and above the person of God.
Challenging every thought, desire, and religious duty—taking them captive, and surrendering to Christ alone. My true, intended, and chosen identity

The sermon today is titled "Christ Alone." It is the sixth and final installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Philippians 3:7-9. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 19, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Song: "You Say." Songwriters: Bebo Norman / Jason Ingram / Michael Donehey / Paul Mabury / Lauren Daigle. You Say lyrics © Appstreet Music, Centricsongs, So Essential Tunes, See You At The Pub. Cover Song by Praise & Harmony from the album "Resurrecting God." ℗ 2019 The Acappella Company. Song and license purchased by West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR).
• Tim Keller quote ("An Anglo-Saxon Warrior..."), as well as the illustrations from Sound of Music and Frozen, are from Tim Keller, "An Identity That Can Handle Either Success or Failure" (New Canaan Society lecture).
• Joseph Henrich, et. al., "The Weirdest People in the World?" Behavior and Brain Sciences (2010).
• David Robson, "How East and West Think in Profoundly Different Ways," BBC (Jan 19, 2017).
• Examples that seem right but are not right: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_memory#Mandela_effect

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Imagine if that terrible moment—that mistake you relive over and over again in your mind—was erased from your record. Imagine if, like in some fantastic dream, you were loved without limit and forgiven forever. Imagine if you were accepted. Loved by the God who made you. Forgiven by the God who bought you. Declared innocent by the God who died for you. Imagine if there were no stones to throw, only grace to bestow.

The sermon today is titled "Accepted." It is the fifth installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 3:16-18, John 8:10-11, and Romans 8:1. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 12, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 4: "You Are Loved" & chapter 6: "You Are Forgiven."
• Max Lucado, "Not Guilty." He Still Moves Stones (1994).
• Homeless statistics: 160 million homeless; 1.6 billion without adequate housing.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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Think of all the things we give power to define us. Our last name. The accidents of our birth. The community to which we choose to belong. What we do for a living.

The Christian story says that, in Christ, and through the gospel, God is calling you to a new identity. It comes with a new name. A new birth. A new community. And a new vocation.

This is who you are called to be. This is who you really are.

The sermon today is titled "Calling." It is the fourth installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 3:28 & 1 Thessalonians 2:12. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on March 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 9: "You Have A Sacred Story" & chapter 10: "You are called."
• 55% of us get our identity from what we do.
• Kate Morgan, "Why We Define Ourselves By Our Jobs," BBC (13 April, 2021).
• Hillary Mayell, "India's 'Untouchables' Face Violence, Discrimination," National Geographic (June 2, 2003).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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“Aging is what happens if we’re lucky; it means that I’m alive.” —Cindy Crawford.

Young and old, we are unhappy with our bodies. Sometimes they don’t work. Sometimes they don’t make sense. But I want to tell you that your body has meaning, purpose, and a future. And to prove it…our Lord has one too.

The sermon today is titled "Body." It is the third installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Genesis 2:25 & Philippians 3:21. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 26, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 2: "You Have A Body."
• Jokes about Dillard's bill in collection basket and wearing mismatched earings from Mary Maxwell.
• Statistics on happiness with bodies comes from the National Organization for Women and Mentalhealth.org.uk.
• Tish Warren, Liturgy of the Ordinary.
• Jonathan Storment, "Adam & Eve: Searching for God in a Body." Sermon series at PVCC.
• N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God.

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Listen to the music. “Satisfy My Soul.” “Heart and Soul.” “Soul Survivor.” We know we are more than flesh and bones. We thirst for something deeper. Something richer. Something more.

God put that in you. You were made for something more. It’s your true identity.

That longing you sense deep down? That's your soul thirsting for God (Psalm 42).

The sermon today is titled "Soul." It is the second installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Genesis 2:7 & Psalm 42:1. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 19, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 1: "You Have A Soul."
• "Chief mode of transportation 200 years ago is the same as 2000 years ago." First heard this from Randy Harris (ACU). See evidence here.
• James Hillman & Michael Ventura, We've Had a Hundred Years of Psychotheraphy--And the World's Getting Worse.
• Stats on mental health taken from Statista and the CDC.
• Jennifer Baldwin, Trauma-Sensitive Theology: Thinking Theologically in the Era of Trauma.
• Charles Taylor, Sources of the Self.
• I learned of Edward Tronick's experiments from Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For, p. 4. For the journal article, see here.
• N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God.
• On Origen, see de principiis, III.iv.1. On Tertullian, ses de baptismo, 5. I am indebted to Alister McGrath, Christian Theology: An Introduction (4th ed).

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When we sense no purpose, we create purpose. We have to. It’s how we are wired. Without purpose, without meaning, without a sense that we are wanted and our contribution is meaningful, we die. But we know all to well that self-created purpose lasts as long as we find interest in it, and it is only as solid as your imagination allows.

What we long for, what we sense deep in our bones, what we want to be true even when nothing on earth tells us its true, is that there is something for which we were intended; there is someone for whom we were no accident. What if I told you that you were planned. Purposed. Intended. Chosen. It’s true.

The sermon today is titled "Wanted." It is the first installment in our "Identity" Series. The Scripture reading is from Genesis 1:26-28 & Psalm 139:13-16. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 12, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Discover: A New Identity.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For this series, I formed my outline (and begin each lesson) by consulting James Bryan Smith's The Good & Beautiful You. For this lesson, see especially chapter 3: "You Are Desired" and chapter 5: "You Are Made For God."
• For the Betty comic strip illustration, see Stanley Grenz, Created For Community (2nd ed), p. 67.
• For this version of the story about Gregory/Gloria Hemmingway, see Stephen Sizer's lesson "You Were Planned For God's Pleasure" here. He learned the story from Philip Yancey's What's So Amazing About Grace?
• For more on Ernest Hemminway's 1953 short story, "The Capital of the World," see this Wikipedia article.
• The cultural storyline is taken from Jonathan Storment's excellent Lesson "Raised in Power" at the 2022 Harding University Lectureship.
• The Richard Dawkins quote is from his book River Out of Eden, p. 133. Found in Smith, p. 52.
• Alfred Lord Tennyson, "Prologue," In Memoriam, stanza 3. Found in Smith, p. 53.
• "O Holy Night" is based on a French poem by Placide Cappeau (1843), set to music by Adolphe Adam in 1847. Found in Smith, p. 58.

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God is the perfect parent. All the traits we find most helpful in mothers and fathers are found first--and fullest--in God. As image-bearers, we learn how to parent from the God who parents us. And we rejoice in sharing a blessing on all children and parents, as we dedicate our children to the Lord.

The sermon today is titled "Parenting In The Image of God." It is a stand-alone sermon for a Baby Dedication service. The Scripture reading is from Genesis 1:26-28 & Ephesians 6:4. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 29, 2023. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Families & Relationships.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

In partnership with:

• West Side Church of Christ
• Life on the West Side: Nathan's Weekly Substack

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Where does the gospel lead? What does the gospel create? What develops as a result of the gospel? Can you imagine an advertisement to be “free from weight loss” where the before and after picture looked the same? In the New Testament, the gospel that frees, the gospel that saves, the gospel that redeems leads to freed, saved, redeemed people living free, saved, redeemed lives. It means recognizing not just what we were saved from, but also what we were saved for.

The sermon today is titled "The Demands of the Gospel." It is the final installment in our "What Is The Gospel" Series. The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 2:10 & Titus 3:8. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on February 5, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am greatly indebted to Dr. Timothy Keller for the personal dimension of the gospel in this sermon series, and some of the illustrations used here come from him. See especially the following four Keller sources:
  • Sermon: "What Is The Gospel?" (Sep 12, 2003).
  • Sermon: "How The Gospel Changes Us" (Sep 13, 2003).
  • Sermon: "The Gospel" (Sep 25, 2005)
  • Book: Center Church (Chapters 1-3 & 5).
• For the importance of "participation in Christ" and giving allegiance to King Jesus as part of the gospel message, see especially:
  • Matthew Bates, Salvation By Allegiance Alone or Gospel Allegiance or The Gospel Precisely
  • John M. G. Barclay, Paul & The Gift or Paul & The Power of Grace
  • Scot McKnight, The King Jesus Gospel
  • N. T. Wright, How God Became King

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How do I know if I am explaining the depth of the gospel or adding to the gospel? The answer is found in discovering the content of the earliest preaching, the central themes that appear in gospel presentations.

What we would need is something that touches on all the central items the gospel seeks to proclaim, the things that would have been believed and received when the “word” was preached. We would want it to include the things that appear over and over again in the early speeches of Acts, that ground the teaching of the Apostles in the rest of the New Testament, and that encapsulates what “the word of His grace” was meant to include. And since baptism dramatically displays the gospel, it would need to include all the major truths being proclaimed in that moment as well.

The sermon today is titled "The Diameter of the Gospel." It is the fourth installment in our "What Is The Gospel" Series. The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:4-6. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 22, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• This lesson was inspired by the work of Dr. Scott Adair, Professor of Bible & Theology at Harding University (Searcy, AR). See the following sources:
  • My podcast interview with Dr. Adair titled "The Gospel Project" which appeared in summary form in this substack article.
  • Dr. Adair's Chapter 5: "Reading Scripture Baptismally" in Scripture First, ed. Oden & Stark (ACU Press, 2020)
• For Walter Scott's "Five Finger Exercise", see this Wikipedia article.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Some headlines are clearly counterfeit. Your "gospel" is the headline that defines your life. We can probably name some really bad, truly wrong headlines that seem to define life for many people. “Might makes right,” or “All that matters is who wins.” These are counterfeit gospels. But then there are good things. Maybe great things. Even essential things. But if they take top billing in what defines our identity and purpose in life, they are counterfeit gospels as well.

Three counterfeit gospels are (1) a gospel without Jesus, (2) a gospel of Jesus without the cross, and (3) a gospel that adds to the cross of Jesus.

The sermon today is titled "Distinguishing the Gospel: Counterfeit Gospels." It is the third installment in our "What Is The Gospel" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 1:6-9. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 15, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am greatly indebted to Dr. Timothy Keller for the personal dimension of the gospel in this sermon series. See especially the following four Keller sources:
  • Sermon: "What Is The Gospel?" (Sep 12, 2003).
  • Sermon: "How The Gospel Changes Us" (Sep 13, 2003).
  • Sermon: "The Gospel" (Sep 25, 2005)
  • Book: Center Church (Chapters 1-3 & 5).
• I also benefitted from Scot McKnight's commentary on Galatians.
• You can find information about counterfeit money here and here.
• For examples of knock-off stores and items, click here.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
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Simple? Yes. Simplistic? Not on your life. The gospel is not just a list of beliefs about something that happened 2,000 years ago. It’s the controlling narrative that makes sense of everything that’s ever happened, and everything that will happen. It is the constant flowing river underneath every commandment, every prophetic message, every story of conflict between good and evil, and every hope expressed to God by a people crying out for deliverance.

The sermon today is titled "The Depth of the Gospel: Retelling HIStory." It is the second installment in our "What Is The Gospel" Series. The Scripture reading is from Romans 1:1-6 and Galatians 3:8. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 8, 2023. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am greatly indebted to Dr. Timothy Keller for the personal dimension of the gospel in this sermon series. See especially the following four Keller sources:
  • Sermon: "What Is The Gospel?" (Sep 12, 2003).
  • Sermon: "How The Gospel Changes Us" (Sep 13, 2003).
  • Sermon: "The Gospel" (Sep 25, 2005)
  • Book: Center Church (Chapters 1-3 & 5).

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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What is the gospel? Every religion teaches about man chasing after God. The gospel says that God came chasing after us. I am not the primary agent; God is the primary agent. I am the problem. God is the solution. The gospel highlights not my worthiness, but my unworthiness. The gospel highlights Christ’s worthiness, and then it talks about how in Christ, through His Spirit, by His power, the most amazing things begin to happen.

The sermon today is titled "The Definition of the Gospel: Finding Our One Thing." It is the first installment in our "What Is The Gospel" Series. The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 1, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am greatly indebted to Dr. Timothy Keller for the personal dimension of the gospel in this sermon series. See especially the following four Keller sources:
  • Sermon: "What Is The Gospel?" (Sep 12, 2003).
  • Sermon: "How The Gospel Changes Us" (Sep 13, 2003).
  • Sermon: "The Gospel" (Sep 25, 2005)
  • Book: Center Church (Chapters 1-3 & 5).
• The series introduction is taken from "Keys To The Kingdom Sermon Video" by ShareFaith.com.
• The headlines are from Jay Leno. See "13 crazy headlines Jay Leno loved."
• Transcript from the movie Gladiator is found here.
• Gary Keller, The One Thing.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

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The fruit of the Spirit is ...meekness. What do Moses, Jesus, and the servant compelled to go one mile have in common? A willingness to accept the task assigned, and to do so by the power of God.

The sermon today is titled "Meekness." It is an installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:23. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on January 1, 2023. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
• Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide and even kids notes on the sermon notes page.
• Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter/tiktok)
• Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

In partnership with:

• West Side Church of Christ
• Life on the West Side: Nathan's Weekly Substack

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Don't you love a good story? There is a story to end all stories. One of a knight, a dragon, and a damsel in distress. This is the tale of the Dragon Slayer.

The sermon today is titled "The Grand Story." It is the final installment in our "Christmas Presence" Series. The Scripture reading is from Matthew 1:23 and Revelation 12:1-11. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 18, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon and get the discussion guide.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• C. S. Lewis' conversation with J. R. R. Tolkien is recounted here.
• The Andy Griffith show referenced is "Manhunt" (Season 1 Episode 2).

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In our world we see light and we see darkness. Without God’s presence, this world is a cold, dark, scary place, unsafe and unfit for image-bearers of God. But with God’s ever abiding presence, says Dallas Willard, “this present world is a perfectly safe place for us to be.” He won’t forget you. He won’t abandon you. And Matthew’s genealogy gives us several reasons to hope that God is with us in the darkness, so we have no reason to fear.

The sermon today is titled "Fear No Evil." It is the second installment in our "Christmas Presence" Series. The Scripture reading is from Matthew 1:23. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 11, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Stanley Hauerwas' Brazos commentary on Matthew
• Davies & Allison's ICC commentary on Matthew
• The MLK story is borrowed from Sky Jethani's book With.

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Presence. It's the thing we remember years after the funeral. It's the thing we hope for when we receive the worst call of our life.

Technology has given us some incredible things. You can now Facetime with Grandma and send mail electronically that will get to its destination in a matter of milliseconds rather than days. But no matter what devices we employ, or commodity we consume, some things you just can’t phone in. Bodies sharing life together is what presence truly means. And it’s why He came.

The sermon today is titled "God With Us." It is the first installment in our "Christmas Presence" Series. The Scripture reading is from Matthew 1:23. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on December 4, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Loving Christ.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• For more on the importance of presence, see Andy Crouch, The Life We're Looking For.
• Mukesh Gupta, "The Difficulty of Being in the Present Moment and Strategies to Overcome It" at rmukeshgupta.com. See also his book Thrive.
• Woody Allen quote: "80% of success in life is showing up."
• Zephaniah 3:17 as pointing to the "womb" of Israel: see Joseph Ratzinger, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives. Ratzinger cites Laurentin.
• Phillip Brooks, "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

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For 3 years, I served as President of my Alma Mater Mars Hill Bible School--a Christian academy in Florence, Alabama, with roots stretching back over 150 years. The founder, T. B. Larimore, was a beloved minister with a unique talent for rising above issues that were dividing the American Restoration Movement in the late 19th century, seeking to root his Christian identity and plead for Christian unity in the fertile soil of Jesus Christ alone. In 2021, I delivered three lectures on Larimore's approach to Christian identity. This is the final of three.

“When my final farewell to the world I have said, no one shall truthfully say, ‘By his death I have lost an enemy’; but be it carefully cut … on the cold white stone that may cast its shadow on my lonely, gloomy grave, ‘THE WORLD HAS LOST A FRIEND.’” — T. B. Larimore (1888)

The lecture today is titled "T. B. Larimore & Christian Identity 3: Respecting Conscience, United By Love." Originally delivered at the Harding University Lectureship on September 27, 2021. This talk later became a chapter in my book The Mars Hill Story: 150 Years of Love, Mercy, Peace & Truth (Revised edition, 2021).

Click here to receive contact information if you would like to receive a copy of my book The Mars Hill Story: 150 Years of Love, Mercy, Peace & Truth. Free with a donation to Mars Hill Bible School.

--

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For 3 years, I served as President of my Alma Mater Mars Hill Bible School--a Christian academy in Florence, Alabama, with roots stretching back over 150 years. The founder, T. B. Larimore, was a beloved minister with a unique talent for rising above issues that were dividing the American Restoration Movement in the late 19th century, seeking to root his Christian identity and plead for Christian unity in the fertile soil of Jesus Christ alone. In 2021, I delivered three lectures on Larimore's approach to Christian identity. This is the second of three.

“I belong to the church of Christ; not a branch or wing of it, or a party in it; but to the church itself. I propose to never stand identified with one special wing, branch or party of the church.” – T.B. Larimore (1889)

The lecture today is titled "T. B. Larimore & Christian Identity 2: Identified By Christ." Originally delivered at the Harding University Lectureship on September 27, 2021. This talk later became a chapter in my book The Mars Hill Story: 150 Years of Love, Mercy, Peace & Truth (Revised edition, 2021).

Click here to receive contact information if you would like to receive a copy of my book The Mars Hill Story: 150 Years of Love, Mercy, Peace & Truth. Free with a donation to Mars Hill Bible School.

--

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For 3 years, I served as President of my Alma Mater Mars Hill Bible School--a Christian academy in Florence, Alabama, with roots stretching back over 150 years. The founder, T. B. Larimore, was a beloved minister with a unique talent for rising above issues that were dividing the American Restoration Movement in the late 19th century, seeking to root his Christian identity and plead for Christian unity in the fertile soil of Jesus Christ alone. In 2021, I delivered three lectures on Larimore's approach to Christian identity. This is the first of three.

“[P]lease let us clearly understand … that EVERY sentence, sentiment and syllable shall be written in kindness, courtesy and love: our ONLY aim and motive being TO DO GOOD.” — T. B. Larimore (1897)

The lecture today is titled "T. B. Larimore & Christian Identity 1: Identified By Character." Originally delivered at the Harding University Lectureship on September 27, 2021. This talk later became a chapter in my book The Mars Hill Story: 150 Years of Love, Mercy, Peace & Truth (Revised edition, 2021).

Click here to receive contact information if you would like to receive a copy of my book The Mars Hill Story: 150 Years of Love, Mercy, Peace & Truth. Free with a donation to Mars Hill Bible School.

--

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We are maxed-out on credit cards, increasing our anxiety meds, and headed to marriage counseling because of money stress. All while making more money than most people in the world. And we don’t think we have a problem. In the words of Tim Keller, money blindness leads to money sickness.

But giving offers a blessing.

The lecture today is titled "God and Money." The key passage is Luke 12:13-21. Originally delivered at the Harding University Lectureship on September 27, 2022. A shorter and revised version entitled "The Gift and the Giver" was preached at the West Side Church of Christ on November 20, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Relinquishing Our Idols.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript of the shortened, revised version of this lesson titled "The Gift and the Giver."

References & Resources:

• Timothy Keller, "Money." Sermon preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (March 9, 2003). Gospel In Life Podcast (July 2021).
• "Follow the Money": See Wikipedia entry.
• Juliet Schor, The Overspent American. Correction: 1/3rd of households making $100K or more a year feel they can’t afford to buy everything they really need. Among those making $50K a year, 40% say the same thing. “Overall,” says Schor, “half the population of the richest country in the world say they cannot afford everything they really need.”
• Average American charitable giving is 2%. Charitychoices.com.
• Samuel Wells, "Is There a Gospel for the Rich?" Sermon preached at Duke University Chapel (August 5, 2007).
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Cost of Discipleship.
• Stories of early Christian generosity: David Bentley Hart, Atheist Delusions.
• Dallas Willard, "Frugality & Poverty." Part 19 of 34. Fuller Theological Seminary Intensive Course.
• Clark Dickerson of Dickerson-Baaker Consulting.

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It is easy to forget to show an attitude of gratitude. 9 of 10 healed lepers did. But Paul challenges the church in Philippi to focus on the positive, to push beyond distractions, and to find joy in all situations. The healed leper who returns to Jesus in Luke's gospel reminds us that a willingness to say thank you starts with a recognition of who we are without Christ, and what a difference He makes in our lives.

The sermon today is titled "I Am Thankful." The Scripture reading is from Philippians 1:3-5. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 20, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

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What am I looking for when reading the Bible? Daily Bible reading schedules go off the rails. What is the value in reading Leviticus? How do I know what to look for in Isaiah? What are the most important questions to be asking when I read 2 Corinthians?

In this lesson, I argue that all of the Bible points to Jesus Christ. Find joy and passion in reading every text of Scripture through this lens: what can it tell me about the message about Christ?

The sermon today is titled "Studying the Bible to Know Jesus." The Scripture reading is from 2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:12-4:2. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 13, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Learn: Christian Scripture.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

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Spiritual neurotics, find comfort in your Savior. Hear the sweet voice of Jesus say "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." Hear the words of the apostle whom Jesus loved as he writes "so that you may know that you have eternal life." Rest assured that not only in the space between prayers of confession, but at every moment of your walk as a struggling, imperfect, but trusting follower of Jesus, you have a righteousness that is not your own--but one given through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Sleep well knowing your father sees you not in your sin, but in your Savior. Yes, Virginia, you too can sing "Blessed Assurance."

The sermon today is titled "Blessed Assurance." The Scripture reading is from 1 John 5:13. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on November 6, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Peaceful Assurance.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• James A. Harding, "Three Lessons from the Book of Romans," in F. D. Srygley, Biographies and Sermons (1898; rep., Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1961), p. 247.
• R. L. Whiteside, "The Curse of the Law," Gospel Advocate 82 (Jan 18, 1940), p. 59.
• David Lipscomb, "Assurance of Pardon," Gospel Advocate 52 (Oct 27, 1910), p. 1184.

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The New Testament doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on the “empty tomb.” In fact, that only led to fear and panic. The fact that Jesus rose bodily from the dead–leaving behind an empty tomb–is true and crucial for the Christian story. Indeed, it is necessary for any true encounter with a risen Lord. But it wasn’t the empty tomb that produced hope in the heart of believers; it was their encounter with the risen Christ. The sight of the empty tomb brought fear and panic; but visions or appearances of Jesus brought hope and joy.

“Having a personal experience with Jesus Christ” formed the basis of the first Christian witness. And it should inform our walk and talk as well. For Jesus is alive and well.

The sermon today is titled "Why Christianity Has Appearances." It is the third installment in our "Matters of First Importance" Series. The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-7. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 23, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Doctrine.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• William Lane Craig, "Could the Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus Be Simply Hallucinations?" Reasonable Faith.
• Matthew Love, "The Empty Tomb Changes Nothing," Beebe Church of Christ bulletin (May 18, 2017).
• Luke Timothy Johnson, The Writings of the New Testament.

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Christians believe in resurrection. The cross is certainly part of the great news from heaven to all of creation; but what makes it good news is that death is not the end of the story. The resurrection forms the center of the gospel of God. Christ came that we might have life, because he himself is the resurrection and the life. Christians proclaim that the Spirit is the giver of Life. And nothing declares that God is Father Almighty quite like saying that God raises the dead–first Jesus, then we ourselves–that death may be swallowed up in victory.

The sermon today is titled "Why Christianity Has A Resurrection." It is the second installment in our "Matters of First Importance" Series. The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 16, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Doctrine.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Craig vs. Muddiman discussion (Oxford University, 2004).
• N. T. Wright, "Only Love Believes," ABC Religion & Ethics (April 17, 2014).
• N. T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (Fortress Press, 2003).
• William Lane Craig, The Historical Argument for the Resurrection of Jesus During the Deist Controversy (Edwin Mellon Press, 1985).
• Richard B. Hays, "This is the Day the Lord Has Made," ABC Religion & Ethics (April 3, 2021).
• C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory.

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How can Paul claim to “boast in the cross”? How can Christians sing “in the cross, in the cross, be my glory ever?” To have the power over death and allow yourself to die is anything but glorious; its an act of insanity to himself and treachery to his followers (who left everything to join him in this crusade). He must be mad, or delusional…or he must know something we don’t know. It’s for the same reason Londoners take pride in the fire of London. How can I glory in the cross? Because his cruel death is my glorious salvation, allowing everything that is decaying in me to die, so that I might—with transformed vision and a transformed life—begin to truly live.

The sermon today is titled "Why Christianity Has A Cross." It is the first installment in our "Matters of First Importance" Series, and also serves as a "Part 2" to The God Who Is Self Sacrificing (Season 2, Episode 23). Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on October 9, 2022. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under LEARN: Christian Doctrine.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Fleming Rutledge, The Crucifixion.
• "Dream of the Rood." (8th-10th cen poem), lines 9b-17.
• Timothy Keller, The Reason For God.
• Barry Bearak, "Crisis in the Balkans: Macedonia," New York Times (April 26, 1999).
• N . T. Wright, The Day The Revolution Began.

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Doubt is something virtually all of us experience, but we don’t always know what to do with it. Our churches don’t always know what to do with it. I’m shocked and struck with awe at how many people in the Bible expressed their doubt.

Try this exercise. Find a single major argument against God that you’ve heard an atheist use that isn’t already included in the Bible itself. “Life seems meaningless?” You’ll find that in Ecclesiastes. “God can’t be good, or loving, or even there if bad things happen to good people.” That’s Job. “Evil flourishes and nothing gets done about it.” That’s in the Psalms and in Habakkuk. “My soul is crushed; I go looking for comfort from God, and I can’t find him.” Read Lamentations.

God doesn’t turn his back on questioners; he invites questioners! He honors them. He engages with those whose struggle with faith brings them face to face with difficulties. Don't let your doubts be a barrier to the faith community; see it as a sign that you belong with a faith community. See church as a community of questioners crying out "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mk 9:24)

The sermon today is titled "A Faith Worthy Of Our Doubt." It is the final installment in our "Worthy Faith" Series. The Scripture reading is from Mark 9:24 (ESV) and 1 Cor 8:1-3 (MSG). All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Satisfying Faith.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• Philip Yancey, "Faith and Doubt."
• Ray Pritchard, "If I Believe, Why Do I Doubt?"
• Philip Yancey, Reaching For the Invisible God (Zondervan, 2000), Chapter 3.
• The Papal Condemnation of Galileo (1633)
• Julia Baird, "Doubt as a Sign of Faith," New York Times (Sep 25, 2014).
• William Lane Craig, "Doubt & Certainty."
• Timothy Keller, "Noah & the Reasons of Faith: Faith as Understanding" (Sep 18, 1994).
• St. Anselm, Proslogion.
• Andy Griffith Show Clip, "Opie Needs Help Running Away."

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Proof is the wrong word. We don’t “prove” there is beauty in the artwork or that our spouse is in love with us. But we know it—and it is true and very real.

Is it reasonable to believe in God and in the Christian story?

We interpret facts on the ground through the lens we have already chosen. Detective work doesn’t start with what evidence we want to have in front of us, but what we actually have in front of us. And it doesn’t help if I tell you I have a secret code you don’t have, or I only will consider evidence that already fits into my system but nothing else. No…I want us to look at what is readily available to just about anyone, and see what it suggests. So I’d like to look at some clues…that’s the phrase I prefer…clues…that point me to the story that defines my life. In this lesson, we look at clues in nature, in people, and in the story itself that has given rise to faith all over the world.

The sermon today is titled "A Faith Worthy Of Our Longings." It is the second installment in our "Worthy Faith" Series. The Scripture reading is from Deuteronomy 4:39. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Satisfying Faith.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• St. Augustine, Confessions.
• "I believe in Christianity, like I believe the sun has risen" (C. S. Lewis, "Is Theology Poetry?" in The Weight of Glory)
• Thomas Nagel, The Last Word (2001).
• Robert Jastrow, God and the Astronomers (1978)
• Arthur Eddington, The Expanding Universe (1933)
• Odds of life: 1 in 10(299). Lee Smolin, The Life of the Cosmos (Oxford, 1999). See also this article in Scientific American.
• H. S. Lipson, "A Physicist Looks at Evolution," Physics Bulletin 31 (1980), p. 138.
• A. N. Wilson, "Why I Believe Again" New Statesman (2009)

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We all have a hole in our soul. And we look around at the universe for something to fill it. Youthfulness doesn’t last, money doesn’t heal all wounds, and every technological advancement only makes the problem worse. For some, even religion hasn’t given them the satisfaction they seek. As every day goes by, and we march closer and closer to death, our soul cries out, “is that all there is?”

What if I told you that the God I serve—the God I found in Jesus Christ—provides the answer to the deepest longings of your heart? He can fill that hole in your soul that money, relationships, and even religion can’t fill. And what he offers is no pie in the sky; it will resonate with you.

The sermon today is titled "A Faith Worthy Of Our Longings." It is the second installment in our "Worthy Faith" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 14:6. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Satisfying Faith.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Footnotes (Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast):

• I am indebted to Timothy Keller, Making Sense of God, for the reference to Peggy Lee's song, the story about the nursing home, and for reminding me of Thomas Nagel's philosophy and J. L. Mackie's ethics textbooks.
• For more on Nozick's experience machine and survey results, see this article by Joachim Krueger in Psychology Today.
• To watch the Warren-Flew debate, click here.
• Much of the material in the "Truth" section is taken from Os Guinness's speech "True Truth" (including comments about Peter Berger and G. K. Chesterton's illustration of how freedom requires truth).

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We all have doubts and uncertainties; but is the whole idea of faith simply not credible? Questions and doubts are not opposite faith…they are part of a life of faith. But questions and doubts can either drive us to or drive us away from exploring the Christian story. Some questions often asked about religion, faith, or Christianity are rooted in misunderstanding or faulty assumptions. "Negative" apologetics is trying to deal with these misunderstandings so that others might consider giving faith a fair hearing. If we can clear the air a bit, we might be able to engage in a conversation that allows the gospel to speak on its own behalf. In this first lesson, I share why I believe in “a faith worthy of our questions.”

The sermon today is titled "A Faith Worthy Of Our Questions." It is the first installment in our "Worthy Faith" Series. The Scripture reading is from Exodus 18:13-15 (MSG). All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Satisfying Faith.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Sources and References Used In Today's Podcast:

• Timothy Keller, The Reason For God
• Timothy Keller, Making Sense of God
• John Stackhouse, Humble Apologetics
• For the Pew Research poll, see it here.
• Sarah Bailey, "The World Is Expected to Become More Religious--Not Less," Washington Post (April 24, 2015).
• For Janet Soskice's story, see chapter 2 in Rupert Shortt, God's Advocates
• Craig-Atkins debate (1998) video clip.
• "Casey K" comment, mentioned in Tim Keller's books, can be found here.
• Jonathan Hill, What Has Christianity Ever Done For Us?
• David Bentley Hart, Atheist Delusions
• Greg Koukl, "The Real Murderers: Atheism or Christianity?"
• Ben Mitchell, "The Christian Origin of Hospitals"

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The Bible says we will be glorified. In the middle of Romans 8, Paul reminds us that God is in the process or restoring, reframing, and redeeming. He says that our bodies will be raised...then changed. Not only that, the creation will be set free from its bondage to decay. The imagery tells us that God wins, there is freedom that extends as far as the curse is found, and God intends to make even those parts we think of as unimpressive or unimportant into something to be put on display to the glory of God. This is what it means to be "glorified."

The sermon today is titled "Pinnacle: The Spirit Glorifies You." It is the last installment in our "This Present Strength" Series. The Scripture reading is from Romans 8:17-30. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Hopeful Renewal.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

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I want to talk about "living water" and Jesus' miracle in Cana. We already know from John 4 and John 7 that stories about water that “come alive” are stories about the Spirit. Look at five things we see in the story of water turned to wine in John 2. Abundance. Fullness. The Good the Best. A Power that Changes and Overwhelms. This is how we are supposed to think about what God provides. And what God provides for his people is His Holy Spirit. It’s not a coincidence that we meet that abundant, full, good and best changing power of the Spirit when we go down into the gallons of water.

Paul actually makes this connection in one of his prison letters (Ephesians 5:18): “Do not get drunk with wine,” says Paul, “because in that is debauchery” (he means “filling yourself up with wine can lead to a change of behavior that is not what God has in mind). But, in contrast, “be filled with the Spirit.” The comparison is apt.

Sin is a master. It isn’t just an infection; it’s a disease. Romans 8 says whatever we yield our bodies to is our master. So don’t yield your bodies to sin. Instead, yield them to God’s Holy Spirit. Why? We know why. Because the Spirit represents abundance. Fulness. It is God’s good and best gift. And the Spirit is the overwhelming power that can change how we think, how we act, and (on the day of Jesus) how we look (1 John 3:2). To paraphrase Paul, “Don’t look to wine to change your life; instead, be intoxicated with the Spirit.”

We have already had a lesson in this series about “power.” We know the Spirit works in us and for us. But I wanted to highlight an important corollary: The Spirit empowers us.

The sermon today is titled "Performance: The Spirit Empowers You." It is the fourth installment in our "This Present Strength" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 4:10-13 and Romans 8:1-11. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Hopeful Renewal.

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Being holy means being like God. God does far more than “avoiding bad actions.” He also doesn’t want to do bad actions. That is, he doesn’t just say “no” to bad desires. Even his desires are pure. So holiness must also include purified desires. So much so that we can learn to “do as we please” once “what we please” is simply to please Him.

Yes, it means set apart from evil actions. Yes, it means set apart from evil desires. But that isn’t complete enough. How could God ever take up residence among us if the Holy God must always be “separate” or “distant” from anything less than perfect purity?

Sometimes Christians face moral dilemmas. Some one or something moves into town, doing some things you disapprove of. So what should the Christian do in response? One option is to ban, boycott, or avoid. I think there is a time and a place for that. But we have to balance that with the call of Jesus to be salt and light in a dark world. The call to actually rub shoulders with the very people we are trying to reach with the gospel. To be incarnational—like Jesus was. Many in our culture see Christians as always aloof and unapproachable. That Christians are always marking and avoiding anything that smells unchristian. When we act that way, we are able to maintain our purity. But how can we purify anything else?

It turns out God’s holiness has two parts: one part speaks to how different (how high and holy) he is; the other speaks to how willing he is to rub shoulders with those who need his holiness to rub off on them. We see it in Isaiah 57:15: “God’s name is Holy. I dwell in the high and holy place, and also in the lowly of spirit.” Did you catch that? What does it mean to be holy, according to God? To be so high above it, and to also dwell within it—untouched by the evil, but present to help serve those wrapped up in evil.

The sermon today is titled "Progress: The Spirit Makes You Holy." It is the third installment in our "This Present Strength" Series. The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:2 and Romans 8:1-11. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Hopeful Renewal.

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The Spirit is implanted within us, yet we are called to "receive" the Spirit. Having God's Spirit is a wonderful truth! But what if we resist the Spirit? What if we choose not to yield ourselves to the Spirit's will? The Spirit wishes to work within us, to accomplish God's will in changing us and using us. Our calling is to accept God's lead and to stop resisting the Spirit within us.

The sermon today is titled "Power: The Spirit Works In You." It is the second installment in our "This Present Strength" Series. The Scripture reading is from Romans 8:1-11. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Hopeful Renewal.

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Jesus promised to plunge his people in the Spirit. And Paul said the Spirit now lives in every believer. What if we believed that every Christian has been totally immersed, totally plunged into the living, active, powerful, Holy Spirit of God? With access to his presence, power, and the fruit of God’s kingdom He produces? That would change a person, wouldn’t it?

The sermon today is titled "Presence: The Spirit Lives In You." It is the first installment in our "This Present Strength" Series. The Scripture reading is from Luke 3:15-16 and Romans 8:9. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Hopeful Renewal.

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Your Life Can Be Different. When the Lord comes back, we will be changed. I believe that, and you do too. But standing there in the shadow of her brother’s grave, Martha needed to hear of a more immediate hope. In their short exchange, Jesus assures Martha that “even now” change can happen. Because she is not just standing in the valley of the shadow of death; she is standing in the shadow of Jesus, the same Jesus who calls into existence things that were not and now are; the same God who uphold the world by his power, who spoke life into existence, and shaped humanity with his own hands before breathing into his nostrils the breath of life. The same Jesus who now lives in all who call upon him as Lord and Savior; all who have accepted the Spirit of God and the forgiveness of sins in their surrender. All who died to themselves and buried their bodies in the baptismal grave. All who have chosen to die. Even now, says Jesus, I can bring life from the dead. Real life. Abundant life. And for the first time, you can begin to truly live. Jesus actually, truly, really, raised a dead man back to life again on that day (graveclothes and all); but to you and me he is echoing something deeper and better. Because physically dead men raised to physical life again will still die again. But I’m talking about eternal life—as Jesus says, “those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Transforms." It is the last installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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The Upper Room prefigures the story of the cross. Jesus, the sacrificial servant, who strips down and offers his body and blood to a man who will deny him and another who will betray him. And he calls us to see him as our Lord. What love.

It was St. Athanasius who said the cross was the only form of death he knew where you did with arms outstretched. See the cross as the story of a God who looks at you as he stretches his arms upon the cross and declares, “Want to know how much I love you? I love you this much."

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Is Self Sacrificing." It is the eighth installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from John 13:1-17 and Romans 5:5-10. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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Deep down, we want a God who is Holy. If God believes in goodness, kindness, generosity, and peace, then he must hate evil, stinginess, mean-spiritedness, oppression, and animosity. You can’t be for something without being against its opposite. A God who could care less about sin, evil, and corruption is no God at all—powerless against darkness—and can never be trusted to mold us into people after His image. How could he be a God who makes righteous judgments if he allows unrighteousness to flourish?

In short, if there is a God—who truly loves us—he must not only be generous and kind; he must also be a consuming fire.

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Is Holy." It is the seventh installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Isaiah 6:1-4. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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Don’t you love a good dinner table? Table is where you tell stories; it's where you share stories. And who you eat with tells me a lot about your story.

The self-righteous and well-to-do tried to think up the worst thing they could say about Jesus. And here is what they came up with: “this man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2).

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Welcomes." It is the sixth installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Luke 15:2, 11-32. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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God is a seeker. He seeks his saved bride, like a lover who never stops serving. He seeks the lost who know they are in need of being found. And He even seeks the betrayer, who defiantly lives without Him, because He refuses to give up on the One His soul loves.

You find me, I dare you, any such parallel story in all the great world religions. At the moment of the betrayal, Jesus called Judas “friend.” The same Peter who denied even knowing Jesus within eyesight of the man in his time of trial, he was invited to breakfast, and given a calling by the man He betrayed. My God is a lover who remains a lover. He pursues his bride when she is safe in his arms; he pursues his children who wander and know they need his rescue; and he pursues those who have scorned him, and don’t even know how much they need him…he looks for ways to make himself known again, because he can’t stop pursuing the one his soul loves.

And that’s you. That’s you.

Isn’t this our God? He’s not the God who is always angry with you. He’s not the God who abandons you. He’s not the God who only loves you when you please him. He’s a lover who will fight for every single person made in His image, who will fight for his bride, and who will run after every lost soul—even you. Even you.

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Seeks." It is the fifth installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Hosea 2:13-14. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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What do you do when you don’t feel like you have enough? Life begins to look like what happens in musical chairs when the music ends. People begin to live from a condition of scarcity. Living from paycheck to paycheck is hard enough; but when you have no idea when—or if—your job will start up again, it can be sheer panic.

That’s not only true when it comes to money. What does it look like spiritually to live from a condition of scarcity? It makes it very hard to love others, or even love yourself, when love seems so scarce. It means forgiveness is scarce; acceptance is scarce. When you think what you have is yours, and is about to be taken away, we grab and claw, with tooth, nail, and pitchforks. It’s defense all around. And its winner take all.

But how would we be different—how relaxed would we feel, how open would we be, if we didn’t operate from a condition of scarcity, but rather, from great abundance? What if we had more than we could possibly imagine, and an ever-flowing stream with bread enough and to spare? What if we saw people in terms of God’s greatest hopes rather than our worst fears; what would it look like to be the people of unlimited generosity?

It would look like the kingdom of God.

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Is Generous." It is the fourth installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Jonah 3:9-4:4. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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Revelation says our Lord is faithful and true. When philosophers talk about God, two overall characteristics are named immediately: God knows everything, and He can do anything. But that description is incomplete. When you hear God has all knowledge, that can scare you—like someone out there has your FBI file. When you hear God has all power, it can frighten you—like someone can always overcome your strengths by producing your kryptonite. This description of God says nothing about what such a God would do with all that knowledge and power. Talking about God as “all knowing” and “all powerful” makes for a fun debate with atheists but left alone they can (at best) cause you to cower before Him. But the God of the Bible—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God I see in the face of Jesus Christ—is a God worth loving and trusting.

So what makes God not only powerful but worthy of our trust? It’s his goodness.

God filters everything through his goodness lens. Our father has no evil intentions. That means that whatever He sends our way comes to us from a God who knows all, can do all, and filters every decision through his complete and total goodness. If he knows about it, he knows it so he can help you with it and bring goodness from it. There is no better guarantee in all the earth.

“Trust me, my child,” our Father says to us.

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Is Trustworthy." It is the third installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Nehemiah 9:6-33. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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What is “goodness”? When we say, “God is good,” what do we mean by that? The problem with the word “goodness” in English is that the word can mean whatever you want it to mean. Think of all the ways we use the word “good.” Is a good horse one that runs really fast or one that will walk slowly? Well, it depends on whether we mean one in the wild doing what it was made to do or one in the stable doing what it was trained to do. A good knife is one that cuts well. But if it cuts me when I don’t want it to, I say “bad knife!” So, think of this word “good.” Do we mean God is a silly, ignorant people-pleaser who only gives you what you want rather than what you need? Of course not. Ask any parent, and they will tell you: giving your children what they want rather than what they need is not good. Does it mean he will never hurt us? I love this line from C. S. Lewis. Someone said, “If God is all good, then that rules out any possibility that what he gives us will hurt.” And Lewis replied, “then I guess you’ve never been to the dentist!”

It has to mean something, and it has to mean something bigger and more comprehensive than what we want in our little worlds on any particular occasion. So, let’s let the Bible give us a weighty definition. Try this on for size: goodness is where justice and mercy meet.

The sermon today is titled "The God Who Is Good." It is the second installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Exodus 33:18-19. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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Close your eyes. I want you to picture the face of God. Hold that image in your mind. What are you picturing? Get as clear a picture as you can. Does God have a human looking face? Is he standing or sitting? Is he old or young? Zoom in. Is he stern, frowning, or smiling? Now, focus on your feelings. What emotions are welling up inside you? Is it fear, concern, joy, curiosity, bewilderment, worry, pain, awe, love? Once you’ve identified the picture you see, and the emotions you feel, ask yourself why you see and feel what you do. What experiences in your life have framed God in this way for you? Perhaps you can name the stories in Scripture that seem to overshadow the others, the ones that color how you see everything else. The stories we tell ourselves about who God is will inform who we think we are, and, in turn, will color how we see everything in the world.

The sermon today is titled "Lenses." It is the first installment in our "Good and Beautiful God" Series. The Scripture reading is from Exodus 34:5-9. All lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Good God.

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Think noble things of God! That is something Jim McGuiggan says often. I had the opportunity to sit down with one of my favorite preachers to discuss how we see God and make Him known in our assemblies.

I asked Jim three questions:

1. What inspired you to write The God of the Towel? (2:07)
2. What are we doing poorly in our assemblies and how can we improve so that God may be seen more clearly? (13:28)
3. If you could only tell preachers one thing, what would it be? (19:06)

In this episode, Jim answers each question with fire, fervor, and faith. I know you will be blessed in the listening.

The episode today is an interview recorded on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

Links and Resources:

• Website: Spending Time With Jim McGuiggan.
• The Original God of the Towel (buy it used).
• The redone version of God of the Towel.

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Before God, by His Spirit, can build us up, God, by His Spirit, must break us down. The man bowed his head to pray over me. “Lord," he began, "I pray that you will break in him what needs to be broken.” It's a line from Psalm 51. I didn’t know that verse at the time. What I thought was “what arrogance!” It would be years later before that story overcame my pride, and I was able to stand in front of the mirror and say “what arrogance!”

I wasn’t ready. I was trying to turn a story about God into a story about me…and it made me delight in all that God despises—like keeping records of wrongs; it made me blind to my own selfish ambition which is listed as a major sin alongside slave trading. It made me all mouth and no ears, even though the Bible says a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be quick to listen and slow to speak. And it caused me to see people as projects and scorecards rather than people made in the image of God.

To say it another way, it was all word, and no spirit. It was strength of will, that turned into will worship. It’s what Paul is upset about when he sees it. My friend chose to see me not as an annoying blip on his screen, but a person to be loved and taught. That was over a quarter of a century ago, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. And it serves as a defining moment in my life.

The sermon today is titled "Soil." It is the last installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Psalm 51:8-10. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

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The fruit of the Spirit is faith. As his boy lay dying, the man knows the healer. He bears his soul to the Master. “If you can, I know my boy will be healed.” “If YOU can” replies Jesus, “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:22-24). Listen to the cry of the heart–perhaps the sound coming from deep without your own soul: “Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!” I have faith! But I’m running on empty. And I need to believe.

Let this point sink deep into your ears, and do not forget it: by the grace of a merciful God, in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Spirit of God, your faith can be renewed. God will take your faith that has waned and give you back a faith that sustains. It is right for Christians to pray for faith. Deeper, richer faith. Fuller, stronger faith. A faith that can move mountains. A faith that will survive shootings, and heart-attacks, the loss of a child, and the end of the world. Oh God, give your people faith.

The sermon today is titled "Faith." It is the sixth installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• David Van Biema, "Mother Teresa's Crisis of Faith," Time Magazine (Aug 23, 2007).

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The fruit of the Spirit is kindness, goodness...gentleness. The way of the flesh leads to nothing good. But sometimes we get glimpses of an alterate universe--a different way of being. A life where things like kindness, goodness, and gentleness bloom. This is life in the Spirit. This is the kingdom of God.

The sermon today is titled "Kind, Good, & Gentle." It is the fifth installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• Stories of kindness and goodness from past Olympics taken from this article at bible.org.

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The fruit of the Spirit is patience. Our God is "endlessly patient" (Ex 34:6 MSG). But I am not. We need patient for the long journey, and we find the power to pursue patient endurance by the Spirit. But we struggle to let the Spirit reign in our impatient lives due to pride, cynicism, forgetfulness, and a lack of trust.

The sermon today is titled "Patience." It is the fourth installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• Don Richardson's book Peace Child.

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The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace. Peace is something we cry for and long for. Ask most people on the planet, “what is the number one prayer in most place at most times?” I imagine they would say, “peace.” Peace in Middle East. Peace across the country. Peace in my home. Peace at my family’s Thanksgiving Day table. To avoid becoming the Hatfields and the McCoy’s, we pray for peace.

And that brings us to the cross of Christ. Christ, who is our peace (Eph 2:14). He is the peace child, breaking us down, shattering every last barrier erected due to our hostility. “Peace I leave with you,” said Jesus to his fearful disciples, “My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV).

If he has overcome the world, can he not overcome the rifts in your life? And if God could offer his own son for peace, how can we not offer a cup of coffee, or a seat at the table, or the right hand of fellowship, or the long-awaited hug, or the long-resisted apology? How can we not lay our weapons down and say “this is what it means to rest in the peace of the cross?"

The sermon today is titled "Peace." It is the third installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

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Links and Resources:

• Don Richardson's book Peace Child.

I'd love to connect with you!

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The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy. Katie and I can’t imagine a more joyful day than when we welcomed Grace into the world. There was incredible pain that day. The kind of pain that in any other situation would cause you to wonder if God is even present, or if he cares about the suffering of my wife on the surgeon’s table. But that’s because joy is something far different from agreeable conditions or the absence of pain and sorrow. It’s something deeper, more powerful, more sustaining, and bubbles up in the midst of the pains of the world, then transforms into a gushing river that overwhelms us, and defines the moment. So much so, that when we look at a picture from that day, the pain is never even mentioned. Whatever that is—this thing called Joy—I want more of it. Don’t you?

What Paul is talking about in Galatians 5 is not a joy that comes naturally because of our circumstances; it’s a sustained sense of abundance, goodness, and love, hope and promise in the midst of the most difficult circumstances.

For you and me, on our own, we might experience something like that a handful of times in our life. But God’s joy—not ours—the kind given by the Holy Spirit, is not momentary, but everlasting. Like love, this is not a human-will-power-produced kind of joy; it’s God’s joy given to us.

The sermon today is titled "Joy." It is the second installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• Sam Wells, "The Discipline of Joy." Sermon preached at Duke University Chapel (4/4/10).
• Sam Wells. "Fear and Joy." Sermon preached at Duke University Chapel (4/8/07).

I'd love to connect with you!

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God is love. In the New Testament, God is described with adjectives: God is holy; God is just; God is merciful. But in 1 John, God is defined when the text says God is Love (1 John 4:8). In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent His Son to die for us (1 John 4:10). Rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God commends/shows/displays/proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Rom 5:7-9). See what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us—that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are (1 Jn 3:1)! This is why…This is why…inspiration says that God IS love. It was Karl Barth who suggested that we insert the name “Jesus” every place you find the word “love” in your New Testament. I told you this morning that the theme of every sermon, and the heart of every story in the Bible is Jesus Christ. But it’s also true that the theme of every sermon, the heart of every story in the Bible is love.

The sermon today is titled "Love." It is the first installment in our "Fruit of the Spirit" Series. The Scripture reading is from Galatians 5:22. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Grow: Spiritual Formation.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

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Meet Christ in the water. Nothing can wash away my sins--nothing but the blood of Jesus. The gospel is the story of Jesus Christ, doing what we could never do, paying what we could never pay. The gospel gets a hold of our hearts and demands a response. In the New Testament, the uniting response is to confess Christ as Lord and to follow Jesus into water for this crossing over experience.

Baptism is obedient faith. It is imitating Christ. It is retelling the gospel. It is obeying the greatest commandment. It is our crossing over, exodus moment. And the religious leaders rejected the council of God by not being baptized. They wanted to stay in the shadows. They didn’t want to go public. That’s why, as Max Lucado says in one of his books, baptism separates the car buyer from the tire-kicker. It’s time to commit. It’s time to unite with Christ. It’s time to accept the cross as your way of life.

The sermon today is titled "Step Into The Water." The Scripture reading is from Acts 8:35-39. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Joyful Response.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• N. T. Wright provides a powerful description of baptism as our Exodus moment.
• Randy Harris preached a powerful sermon on Baptism.
• Everett Ferguson has written the definitive study of baptism in the early Christian experience from a historical perspective.
• Read the remarkable ecumenical statement on baptism from the World Council of Churches (1982).

I'd love to connect with you!

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Beginning is tough. Kim Linehan was an American Olympic swimmer who, for 8 years, held the world record in the Women’s 1500-meter freestyle. Competing at 18 years of age, Kim would do endless exercises and swam 7 to 12 miles a day. But when she was asked “what is the hardest part of your regimen?” she gave this reply: “getting in the water.”

Getting in the water.

Beginning is tough. Starting over—beginning again—is harder still. If I couldn’t finish it the first time, why even try this time? One needs motivation to finish, and it just seem so lacking in situations like these.

But Paul writes to a struggling church from prison and shares this remarkably inspiring word: “I’m confident of this…that the same God who began a good work within you is going to carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

The sermon today is titled "New Beginnings." The Scripture reading is from Philippians 1:6. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Faithful Presence.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

Links and Resources:

• This lesson was inspired by Billy Wilson's 2010 sermon titled "God Will Finish It."
• See the latest deep space images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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What happens if you see Christ in your next door neighbor? That’s easy if your neighbor is like Kenneth—who was my next door neighbor for a few years. Kenneth would do anything for anyone. All he asked for was a coconut pie. When Jesus says "love God and love your neighbor," people assume that means love those who are really good to you. So Jesus clarifies: “I say unto you, love your enemies… If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that” (Matt 5:46 TLB). To really love your neighbor is to see Christ in your neighbor.

What if we look for Christ even in those people we can’t stand? C. S. Lewis once said, “Don’t waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.”

Let me push a bit further. See Christ in that high school bully you can’t stand. See Christ in that job on the honey-do list you just don’t want to do. See Christ in the political party you think is barely American. See Christ in the boss you loathe, the father who never loved you, the Starbucks barista who never gets your name right, the person in the Ford F150 who cut you off without looking, and the little league coach who never plays your son enough.

What would we call it if we were able to see—truly see Christ in all? Well, we’d begin to understand what it means to love.

The sermon today is titled "Living Like Christ Is All." The Scripture reading is from Colossians 3:11. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is the last in the 3-part series "Learning Christ," and is filed under Discover: A New Reality.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Christianity is not self-help behavior modification. Telling ourselves “do it, do it, do it” when we look at virtue that we don’t really want, or “don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it” when we look at sin we really do want, won't lead to anything good. It doesn’t. It won’t work. It’s what Paul calls “will worship.” It is a spiritless gospel. It’s precisely what Paul is attacking in Galatians when he says “how can you who started with the Spirit, now proceed in the flesh?”

No. That’s the first point—what Christianity is not. It is not trying harder on my own power to fight against the evil desires I crave. Fixing my behavior will only come about when I attend to what I actually want.

And that leads me to my second point. What Christianity is about is a Spirit-directed change of what I truly want, so much so, that living like Christ, wanting the kingdom and nothing else, welcoming the fruit-of-the-spirit kind of life becomes second nature. What we need isn’t a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” so I can be like Christ. What we need is the mind of Christ.

The sermon today is titled "Having The Mind Of Christ." The Scripture reading is from Philippians 2:1-5. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is the 2nd in the 3-part series "Learning Christ," and is filed under Discover: A New Reality.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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Whether you are using the KJV, NKJV, ESV, or NRSV, the line is virtually the same: “But you didn’t learn Christ that way" (Eph 4:20). It doesn’t say “you didn’t learn about Christ,” as if he is the subject and we gain information about him.

No, just as the thirsty hiker learns the refreshing nature of a drink of water, just as the Olympian learns victory the moment she crosses the finish line and looks up at her score, you, believers, learn Christ: a new way of seeing the world, a gush of refreshment and a new lifestyle of habits that re-orient your life.

If you have an NIV, the verse is actually translated that way: instead of “you didn’t learn Christ that way,” it translates “but that is not the way of life you learned.”

When you learn Christ, says Paul, nothing about that old way of life fits within the vision you now see before you, so it all has to go. Just as you are a new creation, behold everything becomes new, as God moves inside, reworking the gears, rewiring the senses, replenishing your soul, and renewing your mind, and your life becomes radically different as God, through His spirit, “reproduces his own character in you" (MSG).

The sermon today is titled "Learning Christ." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:20-21. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is in the series "Learning Christ," and is filed under Discover: A New Reality.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

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She reframed his mistake. Oh, I wish I could do that for you…and wish you could do that for others. How often do we yearn for someone to see value in us when we don’t perform well. The good news...is that Jesus does!

You see, it’s hard to believe, but even church folk tend to believe the lie that our world is pumping into our ears every day. If you want to be accepted, if you want to be loved, try harder to perform better. Make yourself more beautiful, then they’ll love you. Make yourself taller, with insoles for your shoes or heels for your feet. Make yourself thinner, maybe even anemic, then you’ll win their hearts. Make yourself look younger, with the hair dyes and the sneakers, and the sports car and the exercise room. If you make yourself look younger, then you will be accepted. Make yourself smarter by reading more books—then people will listen to you, and when they listen to you, then you can feel important.

Younger, thinner, taller, prettier, smarter, tougher, calmer, richer – take your pick. The Grace of God in the face of Christ tells us—that’s not needed. My grace is sufficient. I chose you…because I love you.

Your importance is rooted in the love of God. Your identity is found in the grace of God. And your security is found in the arms of God.

The sermon today is titled "Amazing Grace." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 2:8-10. These lessons fit under one of 5 broad categories: Begin, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under Begin: A Gracious Gospel.

Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.

I'd love to connect with you!

• Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.
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In partnership with:

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