The Renewed Mind Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jamison Smallwood
Why The Name The Renewed Mind Podcast? The name for this podcast comes from a set of bible verses that sets the direction of a person's life once they realize the graciousness of God in one's salvation: Romans 12:1-2(NIV)1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. We are urged to be living sacrifices – lives given daily for the honor, glory and worship of God. The result of sacrificing the efforts of our lives unto God will be true and proper worship of God. Verse 2 is the title verse for the podcast. Paul makes a differentiation between the “pattern of this world” and the “good, pleasing and perfect will” of God. As Christians we aspire to know and subsequently carry out God's will for our lives. Paul's states that the way we abandon a worldly perspective and become transformed to live as Christians is by the renewing of our minds. My belief and experience is that the only way to transform our minds is by studying and developing an understanding of God's written will...the Word Of God. That goal of clarity and understanding is the central focus of this podcast.
In this sermon Jamison shares insights into Abraham, Sarah and God's revelation of their identity as the patriarch and matriarch of Israel. This sermon challenges the notion that we as humans decide who we are by affirming that God is the one that establishes our identity.
In this sermon for our annual Men's Day I talk about the need for the Church to be inviting and accessible to men and the challenges we must address in order to evangelize and train men for service in the Kingdom of God.
In this lesson we tackle the ever-present reality of peer pressure and how a Christian can deal with social pressures in their life.
Blessed to deliver this sermon at New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Marietta, GA during their annual Men's Day, we discussed the relationship between disobedience and consequences. I challenge the men to embrace their headship in their homes, churches and communities.
In this lesson I talk about the destructive power of sin and how sin corrupts relationships with God and ourselves.
In this excerpt, I talk about the importance of restoring a priority on marriage and biblical families in the Black Community.
An excerpt from a Sunday School lesson, I talk with the class about the "Social Gospel" and the importance of deriving our larger world-view from Jesus' Ethic.
This is a Men's Day sermon I gave at my home church of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Woodstock, GA. In the sermon I challenged the men to prioritize their relationship with God over the secular influences of family, community and The World. The scripture came from Mark 5:1-8
In this sermon for my church's Christian Education program, I convey the urgency and the importance of every Christian's need to share the Gospel. I use the encounter of Philip with the Ethiopian Eunuch as the backdrop of an evangelistic encounter that changed the life of the Ethiopian Eunuch forever.
In a lesson about competing priorities, I discuss with the class how being over-committed can inhibit us from worshipping God. We discuss finances, unforgiveness and scheduling problems that burden down believers and keep them from worshipping God freely.
During our Women's Day celebration I lead our class in a discussion of women and the beauty they possess when they love Jesus. We talk about the importance of spiritual beauty compared to the fleeting nature of physical beauty and talk about the value of loving women for the spiritual beauty in their lives.
In a discussion about what it truly means to be righteous we discuss The Parable of The Good Samaritan as well as some of the major cultural issues facing the Church as it ministers to people with sexual identity issues.
In this episode I have a chance to talk with my good friend Micah Martin at the Reasonable Faith apologetics conference held at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. We discuss our views on the role of apologetics in "everyday ministry" and how God can use us to be salt and light in our world.
In this conversation with my friends Micah Martin and Austin Gibbs we discuss our favorite takeaways and thoughts from the Reasonable Faith apologetics conference as well as a few other topics such as the importance of relationships when ministering.
In this message I tackle the hard reality of men being absent from church and the effects it has on the Kingdom of God and how evangelism has to be outreaching in order to be effective.
In this sermon I am blessed to preach at my family reunion. The topic of legacy is discussed as I show the expectations, equipping and the empowerment that comes from trusting in the legacy of family and of God.
Our class discusses the challenges with showing favoritism and how it interferes with our ministries and relationships. In this very appropriate lesson during Black History Month, I have an opportunity to fill in for my pastor and teach our weekly bible study. Recorded 02-04-2015
We are presented in this lesson with an opportunity to discuss the Abrahamic Covenant and the false teachings of the “Prosperity Gospel.” A lesson that is central to the understanding of interplay between the Old Testament and the New Testament, this lesson is a must-listen for Believers. Recorded 10-06-2013
As a lesson on the power of teamwork and unifying purpose, our class discusses the Tower of Babel and the importance of knowing God’s Will before we act. We also spend time talking about the importance of quality communication channels in ministry to help make ministry more organized and productive. Recorded 9-29-2013
In this lesson we talk about the influence that women have in the lives of their husbands. We examine the frustrations women experience when they desire different choices from their husbands and the notion that God gives a woman influence to turn his heart towards God’s Will. Recorded 10-20-2013
We talk about God’s promise-keeping nature as we look at the many promises of the Bible and their importance in the life of a believer. Recorded 10-13-2013
A lesson that begins with the familiar account of Noah, we quickly transition into the theological concept of a “remnant” as we explore God’s deliberate preservation of life in the face of His all-consuming wrath. Recorded 9-22-2013
In this lesson we look at the definition of “evil” and some of the common misconceptions of “evil” and mysticism. We also look brutally at the nature of unsaved man as we talk about our former evil nature as Christians. Recorded 9-15-2013
In a lesson about The Sabbath, we tackle long-held legalistic beliefs about The Sabbath and the necessity of Christians to ritualistically observe it. We talk about the "finishing works" of Christ as the completion of all the toil and labor required by a Christian to please God's standard of righteousness. Recorded 08-25-2013
In this lesson we center our discussion around the fear that many Christians have of confessing their sins "one to another." We talk about the importance of confession in the life of The Church and the need for each believer to have someone in their lives they can share their spiritual struggles with. Recorded 08-11-2013
In this lesson I show how the Festival of Booths/Tabernacles symbolically points to the reign of God's Kingdom in the hearts of Christians. Recorded 08-04-2013
In a high-powered lesson on tithing and giving, I make the argument that while giving is not necessary for the salvation of a Christian, it is a necessary duty to support the ministry of every local church. We question the classic interpretation of Malachi 3:10 and challenge our hearts to express our love of God through giving. Recorded 07-28-2013
In this lesson we talk about the role of fasting in a Christian’s prayer life. In response to a student’s comment, I explain the passion and motivation behind why I teach God’s Word. Recorded 07-21-2013
In this lesson we tackle the hard questions surrounding gender and what God has said about the roles and authority of men and women. We examine the impact of The Fall on marriage and we are challenged to live lives trusting God's purpose and plan for us as expressed in our genders.
In this lesson our class explores the topic of God's Holiness and its role in our day to day lives. An interesting discussion breaks out about abortion and the ambiguity of Man's Law when compared to God's Law. Recorded 06-09-2013
In this lesson I defend the Doctrine of Creation as our class explores apologetic arguments that lead us to the conclusion that God is the creator of The Universe. Recorded 06-23-2013
In this episode our class explores the purpose behind God blessing Christians with spiritual gifts. We talk about how vitally important it is for Christians to use their spiritual gifts for the common good for our church communities. Recorded 05-12-2013
In this lesson we continue our discussion about sovereign grace and limited atonement. Also we explore the evil nature of unregenerate man, original sin and the origin of suffering as a result of Adam's sin. Recorded 05-05-2013
In this episode I lead the class through a discussion about deception and how a Christian can equip themselves to avoid being led astray by false teachings and doctrine. Recorded 04-28-2013
Leading the class through a study about the “Gift of Tongues” we explore the issues of sensationalism and mysticism that plagues “charismatic” churches. I challenge the class to worship God through His revealed Word as opposed to simply emotions, feelings and their sensations. Recorded 04-14-2013
In this encouraging lesson, I teach the class the reason that all Christians should have hope even when their natural circumstances would indicate otherwise. Recorded 04-21-2013
Arguably my finest defense of “Irresistible Grace” ensues as I lead our Sunday School class in a discussion that explores the role of the Holy Spirit in the initiation of a believer’s salvation. Recorded 04-07-2013
In this Resurrection Sunday lesson I lead the class through a survey of key verses that establish the theological significance of The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Recorded 03-31-2013
In this episode I teach a class on apologetics as we examine the Christian evidences for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Recorded 03-13-2013
In this lesson I lead the class in a discussion about the significance of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. We focus on key scriptures that point to the necessity of Christ's sacrifice and focus on the sobering truth that without the shedding of Christ's blood there is no remission of our sins. Recorded 03-24-2013
In an important lesson about vision, I lead the class in a discussion about how God reveals truth to us supernaturally through dreams and visions. We conclude the class with an examination of the miracles where Jesus restored the sight of the blind and how they parallel our spiritual vision being restored by Jesus when we become saved. Recorded 03-03-2013
Another episode focusing on the genuineness of a Christian's professed belief, I lead the class in a discussion on the inner-witness of the Holy Spirit. We also discuss the Holy Spirit as our “promissory note” entitling us to the riches of salvation that await every Christian. Recorded 02-24-2013
In this lesson our class tackles the problem of discernment and how we as Christians know the difference between false teachings and what is biblically sound doctrine. To conclude our class a discussion about the “Prosperity Gospel” breaks out as I illuminate the falsehood of those teachings. Recorded 02-10-2013
In this sermon I discuss the importance of living a determined life as a Christian as illustrated by Moses, Joshua and Israel's battle with the Amalekites in the Book of Exodus.
In this lesson I lead the class in a discussion of Christ's role in the creation of the universe. Also we discuss the doctrine of conservation as we examine the special relationship that every Christian enjoys as God's specific grace and providence are present in our lives. Recorded February 3rd, 2013
This is the conclusion of my previous episode I recorded at the seminar on the historicity of The Resurrection taught by Dr. William Lane Craig. My friend Micah Martin and I wrap up our conversations we had during the weekend and I also have the privilege to catch up with a few people at the seminar as they gracious share their perspectives and testimonies about what Christian apologetics had done in their lives. Recorded April 6th, 2013
In this episode I catch up with an old friend from college Micah Martin and we discuss the importance of Christian Apologetics and being competent enough as a Christian to share and defend our faith. This interview is part one of a series of interviews I was blessed to do at a conference on The Resurrection of Jesus Christ conducted by arguably the world's most famous apologist for Christianity Dr. William Lane Craig. Recorded April 5th, 2013
In this episode I am blessed with a opportunity to present a sermon I wrote called “A Woman and The Word” for Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church's annual Christian Education Day. A spirited exposition of God's Word takes place as I relate a Christian’s knowledge of God's Word to the transformative encounter the “Woman With An Issue of Blood” experienced in Jesus' earthly ministry. Recorded February 10th, 2013.
I lead the class in discussion about the importance of letting go of our pasts as we strive to answer the call of God in our lives as Christians. We talk about the challenges that Paul's past presented to his ministry work and explore Paul's attitude and mindset in overcoming his past so that he could serve Christ in the present and future.
Priorities are the topic as I lead the class in a lesson on assigning value to the choices we have in our lives as Christians based on value we place on knowing Jesus Christ. We explore the importance of our lives and actions matching what we say our focus and priorities are as we witness to the unsaved world.
In this lesson we discuss pride and why God hates pride. As the lesson unfolds we discuss pride as "self-idolatry" and how to approach the Christian life in order to deal effectively with pride in our lives.
Christian motivation is the topic as I lead the class in a discussion about having sincere motives when worshiping and serving God. As the class progresses, the controversial topic of paying church workers is discussed as we profile Paul's beliefs about accepting material support from a local church as an apostle.
In this episode I lead the class in a detailed examination of Paul's teachings about marriage and about the role each gender plays in a Christian Marriage. We conclude the class by examining how grace can be seen as the summation of Christ's love for The Church.
In this lesson, I revisit the concept of Jesus Christ being “The Light of The World” and share some interesting thoughts on how the bible illustrates holiness and sinfulness using the metaphor of light. As the lesson concludes, we discuss the advantages of “letting our light shine” in the darkness of spiritual warfare and how we can overcome evil if we as Christians continue in holiness.
I lead the class in a discussion about the new nature Christians are called to have. As the lesson unfolds, we conclude the class with the discussion of the importance of Christians displaying agape love in witnessing to the unsaved world through relationships formed in the church.
As a continuation of Paul's teachings on the doctrines of salvation, I lead the class in a discussion on the Doctrine of Election. We survey the old covenant God established with Abraham and how that covenant is upheld and fully revealed in our relationship and faith in Jesus Christ.
Arguably the most controversial question in Christianity is discussed as I lead the class in a discussion about predestination. We explore the Arminian view as well as the Reformed(Calvinist) view on salvation and election.
A powerful lesson on biblical inerrancy and the purpose of the Bible erupts as I lead the class through scripture to help us understand how God communicates with us through His Word.
In this lesson I lead the class in a discussion about giving, service and witnessing to others through the actions of our lives as shown by Paul on the Isle of Malta. “Speaking with our loudest voice” is the sub-topic as we also discuss the notion of our actions speaking louder than words.
In this episode I lead the class in a discussion of God's Will as we talk about how to endure challenges when doing what God has called us to do. We look into the source of Paul's strength and comfort during a violent storm he endured while sailing to Rome and talk about how “closing our eyes” during storms can help strengthen our faith while waiting on God to deliver us from our trials.
In this episode I have a chance to talk about my favorite apostle, Paul, and his trial before King Agrippa. The class erupts into discussion as we examine Paul's conviction and commission to preach The Gospel to The Gentiles and their kings at all costs, even the cost of his freedom.
In this conversation I have the privilege of interviewing Ernest D. Tinsley of Bullseye Ministries (www.bullseyeministries.com) about the importance of focused and deliberate ministry to men. Ernest D. Tinsley does not disappoint as he shares his thoughts on the “softening” of men and their masculinity, Jesus Christ as the biblical exemplification of biblical masculinity and several interesting experiences in Ernest D. Tinsley's life that have fostered a deep passion for impacting the lives of men. It is my hope that you enjoy this rich podcast and visit Ernest D. Tinsley at www.bullseyeministries.com.
Blessed to have my friend Gloria Goosby on once again, we sit down and discuss the topic of “Calvinism” and how it answers the question of “Did you choose God, or did God choose you?”
In this lesson the topic of Evangelism is discussed as I lead the class in a conversation about Philip, one of the original deacons mentioned in the Book of Acts. We discuss the importance of Philip's teaching and baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch as well as the possible reasons and importance of Jesus Christ issuing the “Great Commission.”
Discussing the old and familiar topic of “Simon The Sorcerer,” I challenge the class to ask themselves “What Changed?” when they confessed and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Exploring the theology surrounding the regeneration of fallen man, this class highlights the need for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of all genuine believers.
Visiting New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, my home church in South GA, I lead the class in a discussion of the conclusion of Stephen's trial before the Sanhedrin. Though a little under the weather, the message of being bold for the Gospel and enduring hardships takes on the power of Stephen's example as we study the Book of Acts.
In this study I lead the class in a discussion about Stephen, “The First Deacon” of The Church. Because Stephen is also considered “The First Apologist,” I introduce the class to the subject of Christian Apologetics and “The Moral Argument For The Existence of God.”
Happy to have my friend Gloria Goosby to “stop by” to discuss how to resolve conflicts between what a candidate believes and what a voter believes as a Christian. A colorful discussion ensues as we tackle what Christians do on Election Day.
This is a short episode where I reach out to the listeners of the podcast to update them on the progress of the ministry, the podcast and to ask for feedback and comments at www.renewedmindpodcast.com via the questions and comments page.
A discussion centered on “agape love,” we explore several key scriptures to understand better the expectation of love that comes with being a Christian. Also we explore the concept of “Christian Maturity” and putting away “childish things” that limit us spiritually and keep us from showing true love to others.
Substituting for the pastor, I teach a bible study lesson on faith in the omnipotence of God and how we limit God through our lack of belief. Our central verses, commonly known as “Jesus Calms The Storm,” are found in Mark 4:35-41. This lesson is for anyone searching God's Word for how to cope with “life storms” and spiritual warfare.
Continuing to our survey of the topic of faith, I lead our Sunday School class in an exploration of God as revealed in the Old Testament and God as revealed in the New Testament. We also dive into the symbolism of communion and how it reminds us of the sober truth that Jesus Christ redeemed us with His blood.
Focusing on enduring hardships and suffering during our walk as Christians, I lead the class in a discussion about drawing on the strength our “great cloud of witnesses” to press on for Jesus Christ.
After a brief survey of the Levitical Priestly Order in The Old Testament, a beautiful discussion takes places as I lead the class in a discussion of apostasy, falling way from the faith, and the importance of intimate Christian fellowship with other believers in a home church.
A continuation of our previous topic of leadership, we explore the importance of biblical followship as we examine instances throughout the Old Testament of Israel's rebellious nature. Also we discuss the importance of seeking biblical knowledge to understand the vision God has for our lives and our ministries.
In this study I explore what intercessory prayer is and several examples of effective intercessory prayer as demonstrated by Moses and Jesus Christ.
In this lesson we explore God's answer, Jesus Christ, to the corruption found in the Old Testament kings leading His people. We also discuss the importance of strong biblical leadership in the church and the value of qualifications when picking a leader for a ministry.
Filling in for the pastor, I address the classic topic of stewardship. Together the class and I examine several scriptures that help us determine what the focus of a church's ministry should be and how to utilize the limited resources of a church to best advance the witness of Jesus Christ.
In this powerful lesson we discuss Jesus Christ as “the light of the world,” and how it takes the illuminating light of God's word to make sin and evil known to the world. This lesson is recorded at my family's church, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in south Georgia.
In this lesson, our class explores the fallibility of mankind, praising God no matter the circumstances and the false doctrine of Mormonism in our “What Is Wrong With This Theology” segment.
The very first interview, I speak with my friend Gloria Goosby about the growing acceptance of secular world-view perspectives by Christians. We discuss the Chick-Fil-a/Gay "Marriage" controversy and the difficulties in using social media to engage in dialog about God's Word.
In this class we discuss a classic verse on “judging” the actions of others as well as our own actions to produce conviction in our hearts as Christians. The hot-button topic of “sagging pants” concludes the class. This recording is the first to feature the complete introduction with the voice of Deacon Dave Smith.
The conclusion to Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School, this lesson covers how to share The Gospel using The Book of Romans.
This is the kick-off class for Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church's 2012 Vacation Bible School. We discuss the importance of “Christian Utilization” and having a “mind to work” in God's Ministry.
Evangelism is the topic as I lead the class in an exploration of the approach that Jesus Christ used as He ministered The Gospel.
Our class continues to explore the notion of “Christian Utilization”- being of the most service in God's Kingdom.
In this lesson I discuss the how our relationships can be used as powerful tools in sharing The Gospel with non-believers that we personally know and love.
Filling in for the pastor, I have the opportunity to lead Wednesday night bible study as we explore the importance of suffering in the life of a Christian and the different goals God has in mind when He takes us through suffering.
I lead the class in a discussion of faith in Jesus Christ as the catalyst for spiritual restoration in the life of a Christian. As a class we also look at how seeking Jesus with sincere faith leads to everlasting life transformation.
I lead our class in a discussion comparing the civic law of man and God's Law. We explore topics such as vengeance, the characteristics of God's Word and where a Christian's politics and faith collide.
This class explores the Ark of The Covenant, the importance of having a focus centered on God's Word and how to find the power to overcome spiritual warfare.
In this lesson our class examines the Law of God using civil law comparisons. We also discuss the importance of a Christian's obedience being sincere.
The importance of good decision making is discussed as the original sin is explored as well as the classic parable of the "Prodigal Son."
An inspiring discussion breaks out as we discuss the culture that obedience to God's Word creates in the Christian Community as well as the importance of giving to support the efforts of ministrial outreach.
The lordship of Jesus Christ is the topic as we discuss Jesus as the necessary model not only for our lives, but as the only path of salvation that leads to Heaven.
Focused on The Resurrection as a cornerstone of the Christian faith, our class discusses the power of Christ to give us spiritual resurrection. Also we explore the symbolism of the "Valley of The Dry Bones" and the restorative powers found in the Word of God. To conclude I offer apologetic evidence for The Resurrection.
The symbolism of Jesus Christ as the "Bread of Life" is examined as we compare the spiritual nourishment that comes from knowing Christ and finding fulfillment in the Word of God with the importance of eating physical food for our survival.
A wonderful discussion of God's sovereignty ensues as we explore the supremacy of God and the humbling perspective of our significance as his creation that God's supreme nature inspires.
A classic moment in the ministry of Jesus Christ yields a wealth of fruit and conviction as we contrast the priorites of our worldly desires with those of God's Kingdom. Also we discuss and explore the importance of developing our knowledge of God's Word.
I directed a spirited discussion about the importance of "cleaning out" our hearts and the role Jesus Christ plays in removing spiritual impurities in our lives.
Subtitled "Leaving The Old Behind" I lead our Sunday School class in a spirited discussion and examination of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the powerful testimony given when people can clearly see the "before and after" of our new lives as Christians.
Our class discusses the trial of Jesus Christ, our role of witnessing to the world on His behalf and the importance of giving to support God's Ministry.
Our class discusses God's Word and it's power to bring a person to salvation. In the conclusion of the class, we discuss the comfort and reassurance that comes from trusting in God's word.
We examine the symbolism of first miracle performed by Jesus Christ and discuss the transformative effect Christ has in the life of a believer.
This lesson is a captivating discussion about God's perfection. We also develop a framework of trust that is rooted in knowing that God's will for our lives originates from His perfection.
This lesson examines the concept of "Christian Fruitfulness" and the need to be more than a superficial Christian.
We discuss the transformation of the "old self" to the "new self" when Jesus Christ enters our life. Our class concludes as we examine and explain the "Parable of The Wine Skins."