Upward Calling: Recent Episodes
Josh Creel and Kenny Embry
We talk about how to practically be better Christians with the evangelist of the University church of Christ in Tampa, Florida.
This is a recording of the book of Ephesians. The translation is the World English Bible, and you can find information about this translation at worldenglish.bible.
This week we discuss sexual immorality and how our physical relationships translate into a spiritual one.
You can hear the original message we refer to here.
What does it mean to be an outsider in your own congregation? The episode we reference is here.
In this episode we talk about what it means for God to be with us. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we discuss why it's important to believe in Jesus. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we discuss why it's important to get along with other Christians. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we discuss the character of an elder. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we talk about the hope we have. You can hear the original sermon we reference here.
In this conversation, we talk about the process we're going through to get more elders, and the role of elders in general. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we talk about what it means to "be Biblical." You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of following Jesus in everything and why it can be dangerous to be a part of "cafeteria Christianity." You can hear the original sermon here.
This week we talk about Josh's series on Abraham. You can hear the original sermon we reference here.
This week we talk about the righteousness of God and why that is a good thing. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode we talk about misplace pride. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, I give some initial impressions about my mission trip to the Philippines.
In this episode, I give some initial impressions about my mission trip to the Philippines.
Luther is another person we support. He and his family evangelize in South Carolina. He talks about his family and his work as well as success they've had using Facebook.
In this episode, we meet Patrick Brentlinger. If you'd like to get in touch with Patrick, please let me know and I'll give you information for how to get in touch with him.
We talk about what we can learn from memes in this episode. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode we talk about how we mature together as Christians. The lesson we reference is located here.
In this episode, we talk about relational leadership with University church of Christ elder Tommy Matthews. See why he says leadership has to include responsive relationships, and how to gauge growth.
In this conversation, Josh and I talk about the work of the Holy Spirit.
You can hear the sermon we're referencing here.
You can also access one of the Romans class sessions here.
This week corresponds to Easter and we talk about how the resurrection means we overcome the world. Listen to the original sermon we discuss here.
What does it mean that leadership provides. We talk about the ways leaders can learn from the leadership of Jesus and how our imperfection means we have to change how we understand the provision of leadership.
This is an episode where hearing the original sermon is especially helpful. You can hear that sermon here.
This week we talk about being justified by faith and how that is connected to obedience.
To hear the sermon referenced in this episode, go here.
Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned a few times in the New Testament and were important to God's work in the first century. This week, we talk about the leadership qualities they had that helped the Christians around them grow. You can hear the sermon we reference here.
In this episode we talk about some of the English translations of the Bible. We also talk about how to choose a Bible.
This week we talk about the idea of covenant and what that means. If you'd like to hear the original sermon, you can find it here.
In this episode, we dig deeper into Josh's lesson about how to choose a church. Part of this includes how to understand what you believe and how it relates how to worship with others.
You can listen to the sermon we reference here.
Josh and I talk about biblical literacy and how we become devoted to God and not just Bible reading.
This week we discuss the advantage of kindness. You can find the sermon we reference here.
In this episode we talk about how holiness is a gift. We also talk about the reactions to holiness, the reasons for holiness, and how to practically become more holy.
The sermon we reference can be found here.
This week we started talking about how to lead like Jesus. Josh chooses four parts of the leadership style Jesus has from the Bible.
You can hear the sermon we reference here.
We look at the theme for 2023, leadership, and how we plan to be more mindful of our leadership in the coming year.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of fulfilling Christ's law. You can find the sermon we reference here.
As Josh finishes the series on "the remnant," we talk about what it means to be "a peg in a holy place."
You can find the sermon we reference in this episode here.
This week we talk about why it's good that God doesn't change. You can hear the lesson we reference here.
In this episode we talk about how to interpret the Bible. You can listen to the sermon referenced here.
Why do Christians suffer? Does God expect us to suffer when we follow him? You can listen to the sermon we reference here.
In this episode, we talk about the power of Christian influence. The sermon we reference in this episode can be found here.
What does it mean to wait on God? In this discussion, we talk about what that means. You can listen to the sermon we reference here.
This week we talk about why feelings are excellent servants but horrible masters. You can listen to the sermon we reference here.
In this episode we discuss Josh's lesson about God's teaching on gender, and more broadly what God teaches on family. The sermon we reference is found here.
This week we talk about being more like Barnabas, the traveling companion of Paul and the renamed "son of encouragement." You can find the link to the sermon referenced here.
This week we talk about why it's important to understand what we do with our bodies, especially in spiritual service.
You can listen to the original sermon here.
What does it mean to be saved by faith? That's the deeper dive we take on Josh's lesson which can be found here.
This week we talk about growing up in a Christian family and why it's a good idea to have a personal relationship with God, and a close relationship with other Christians. The sermon we discuss in this episode is available here.
This week Josh talks about going back to school and both being in the world without being a part of the world. You can hear the sermon being discussed here.
In this episode, we talk about being certain of your salvation. We also take a deeper look at John 6.
The sermon we reference in this episode is available here.
For this episode, we take a deep dive on the New Testament difference in Jews and Gentiles and why that's a big deal when you read the Bible.
In this episode we talk about Godiness and why Paul thinks this is an important part of being a Christian.
You can listen to the sermon we reference here.
This time Josh does a deeper dive on Romans 9-11. There's a lot here about God's remnant, but he won't be able to get to it in the sermon. So we're taking advantage of podcasting to explain something more he won't have time to talk about from the pulpit.Josh also talks about a workbook he wrote. You can download that here.
This week Josh and Kenny talk about perseverance as part of the character of God. You can hear the sermon we discuss here.
This week Josh stays in 2 Peter 1 talking about knowledge and self control. We also talk about the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v Wade. If you're interested in hearing the sermon we reference, you can find it here.
This week we use I Corinthians 13 as a springboard to talk about constructive uses of social media for Christians.
This week we talk about being a worker in God's kingdom. The sermon we reference can be found here.
This week we discuss why love doesn't envy...and how appreciating each other's differences helps us. You can hear JP's sermon on this here.
This week we talk about what it means to be a peacemaker in a time of violence. Our prayers are with those who have suffered. The sermon we reference is available here.
This week we talk about why Peter says we need both faith and virtue in 2 Peter chapter 1. If you'd like to hear the sermon we are referencing, it's available here.
Why is it important to be more like God? And this week's episode Josh talks about the reasons in perfect man should become more like a perfect God.
This week we talk about depending on God. You can find the sermon we're referencing here.
Kenny and JP talk about the importance of kindness. You can find the sermon referenced here.
This week we talk about the resurrection of Jesus, why we are often reminded of it more during the Easter/Passover time, and what it means to Christians today. You can hear the sermon referenced here.
This week we talk about why it's important to be a part of a local church. In this episode especially, it's important to listen to the original sermon which is available here.
This week we discuss suffering persecution as a Christian and what our response should be. You can find the sermon we reference in this episode here.
This week Josh and Kenny talk about why interpreting some modern day events in light of Biblical predictions could be dangerous.
This week JP Flores talks about why patience is an important part of love. You can hear the lesson we refer to here.
This week, we talk about God providing for his remnant and why our trust often shifts to things much less trustworthy. You can hear the sermon here.
This week we're breaking the format a bit because of some extenuating circumstances. However, I wanted to ask for a couple of favors from you.
This week we talk about the problem of peer pressure. You can find the sermon we reference here.
This week Josh talks about how Christians should stand out morally. You can find the lesson we reference in the lesson here.
This week, one of our senior members, Bob Owen, spoke and Josh and Kenny talked about the importance of having strong relationships between the generations.
You can hear Bob Owen's sermon here.
This week Josh and Kenny talk about the teen weekend and some of what Jordan Shouse brought to the congregation.
You can hear Jordan's lesson here.
This week we talk to Steve Patton, one of the elders at University church of Christ, about the plans for 2022.
You can find the sermon we reference here.
So what is baptism and why is it so important? This week we talk about the role baptism plays in the life of a Christian. The sermon we discuss is located here.
This week Josh and Kenny talk about why we should believe what God says and how the idea that every perspective is equally valid has real problems. You can hear the sermon we reference in this episode here.
In this episode, Josh explains this year's theme, being the remnant of God.
You can find the sermon we discuss here.
This week Josh and Kenny talk about what they learned from the past year and what they look forward to both personally and as a Christian.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of those characters with a lot of misunderstandings. As part of Josh's mini-series on discipleship, we talk about a better way to view this important character.
The sermon we reference in this episode can be found here.
This week we talk about how disciples should deal with temptation.
If you'd like to hear the sermon we're talking about, you can find it here.
This week, we talk about being a servant as a disciple of Christ.
The sermon we reference in this episode is found here.
This week JP Flores and I talk about the importance of gratitude.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
This week we talk about what it means to be a disciple. We also talk about two recent baptisms we had at the morning service.
If you'd like to hear the sermon we reference, you can find it here.
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This week we have a gospel meeting with Tack Chumbley and Josh and I talk about some of his themes including faith, facts, emotions and values.
You can reference the sermon he preached on Sunday here.
Can you come back to God when you've made a wreck of your life? If you've been serving idols or other things, there's good news for you. Josh concludes his series on modern day idolatry by showing us how to take a stand.
You can find the sermon we reference here.
Josh continues his series on idolatry by talking about choosing the deaf, dumb and blind idols versus choosing the glory of God and why we oftentimes make the wrong choice.
So what do you think you know for sure? And...are you sure you really know it. This week we discuss a book Josh and I have been reading titled "Thinking Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman. It's not a religious book, but there are some excellent spiritual applications.
There is no specific sermon we're referencing this week since Josh is out of town spending time with family in Alabama.
Be good and do good!
So how important is your opinion to you? This week we talk about the idol of our own perspectives. Josh and I talk about how in many ways, the entire series has been leading to this pivotal perspective and how we our own opinions can become our biggest hurdle to following God in the way he would want.
The lesson we reference can be found here.
It's easy to identify greed and materialism as obvious idols, but have you considered for some Christians, spirituality might also replace God? This week we talk about precisely that. Starting with a deeper dive on the story of the rich young ruler, Josh shows us how spiritual "doing the right thing" could help us miss the point of Christianity.
The sermon we reference in this episode is available here.
This week at University church of Christ, we announced changes to the Sunday evening services. So we decided to talk about traditions in the church. What makes a good one and what makes a bad one?If you'd like to watch a streaming service, please join us at www.universitychurchofchrist.org where we have links and also a schedule of services.
In this first episode, we look at a series of lessons Josh Creel has been preaching about how idolatry still plagues the church today.
The most recent sermon in this series is found here.
If you'd like to get more information about University church of Christ, please visit us at www.universitychurchofchrist.org.