Citizen ATX: Recent Episodes
Citizen ATX
The Citizen ATX podcast exists to provide practical conversations about what it means to live as a dual citizen in Austin, Tx. Each episode will focus on a cultural topic, with the aim of helping believers learn how to engage their citizenship on earth while not compromising their true citizenship in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Listen as Jonathan Spencer, Matt Gillum and special guests help you navigate through the tensions of a dual citizen’s life. For more information visit www.austinbaptistchurch.com.
There are many vices in the world that will quickly bring us to a place of indulgence. These things are often good on their own, but with too much attention they can become a distraction from the purpose that God has called us to. Join Jonathan and Matt as they discuss this last Soul Killer: Indulgence.
When you were a kid you may have heard the phrase "secrets don't make friends and friends don't make secrets." We understand from a young age that keeping secrets is an unhealthy practice. Why does keeping secrets have such a negative effect on our spiritual life? Join Jonathan and Matt in the next episode of Soul Killers.
When you think of independence it tends to be in a positive light. A child getting independence and starting life on their own. "The Declaration of Independence" and a nation declaring its freedom from an oppressive government. However, we don't always see the down side of independence. Join Jonathan and Matt as they discuss this topic of independence and why it is such a Soul Killer.
This week we covered the Spiritual Pathway of service. What is the opposite of service? Apathy. Join Corbin and Jonathan as they discuss this Soul Killer, and how it affects our daily lives when we choose to avoid service.
"I'm just too busy". We all have used this phrase at some point in our lives. Many of us use it every week. If we are being honest, sometimes we're not even actually THAT busy. However, there is plenty in this world to keep you busy. The more your responsibilities grow the busier you get and the less time you have for other areas. But how do we find time for Silence/Solitude in a season of busyness? Join Matt and Nathan as they discuss this concept of busyness and how to be productive in life while still setting aside time to spend with the Lord each day.
Worship is the way that we show our appreciation of the Lord for who He is and what He has done. It is a moment where we set aside our own thoughts, worries, burdens, and interests; to glorify the Almighty God. But what is the opposite of worship? That would be Pride. Pride happens when we begin to turn from worshipping God and instead start to worship ourselves. Join Matt and Lindsey as they discuss the harmful effects of the Soul Killer: Pride.
What is the opposite someone who has a desire to read scripture and seek wisdom from the Lord? It is someone who constantly thinks they are right and are ignorant to the truth of God's Word. Join Matt and Jonathan as they discuss this idea of ignorance and how you can follow the path of seeking wisdom from God instead.
We see the consequences of the Fall everywhere. Some of these consequences are obvious...sickness...death... But what are we to make of the things that aren't expressly stated in the curse? What connections can be drawn from this passage to other passages in the Bible? Join Nathan, Jonathan, and Corbin as they discuss the curse of man.
Who is this serpent that tricks Eve? What even is a serpent? Did they have legs before the punishment? These and so many other questions are answered on today's episode. Join Nathan, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss Satan's punishment and how it plays out in our interactions with Satan today.
"What goes up, must come down." It is written in the laws of gravity, and it has been written in the history of man. Adam and Eve sinned in the garden which unleashed a whole world of evil and suffering. But what does this mean for us? Why is sin something that affects us so much? Join Jonathan, Corbin, and Stephen as they discuss the fall of man and its impact on humans.
"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife." Few phrases are as universally recognized as this one. It is a phrase that represents one of the most joyful moments in a persons life. But how can this joyful moment lead to a joyful life together? Marriage roles might be one of the most dicey topics to discuss in the church. Our hope is that you can find satisfaction in the blessings of marriage that only God can offer. Join Jonathan, Corbin, and Anita as they discuss the roles of men and women, and how to have a marriage that honors each other and honors God.
"Marriage is just a social construction." You've probably heard this phrase before. Is this true? Definitely not. Marriages are constructed by God. In Genesis 2, God lays out the playbook for marriage. Join Stephen, Jonathan, and Corbin as they discuss the biblical view of marriage as God intended it.
Many of us probably have a love-hate relationship with the term "ground rules". The phrase "let's set some ground rules" gets used for a myriad of circumstances from relationships to office life and even in sports. If we are being honest though, we do often need ground rules. God created us to value order and, in doing so, He gave us some ground rules to follow as well. Join Corbin, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss these ground rules and how they affect us in every day life.
For some of us rest comes easily. For others it is much more of a complicated issue. One thing is for sure...God created us to work and to rest. We see God model that rest on the 7th day of the creation story as He rested and dwelled among His creation. But how do we rest? What are some things that often get in the way of rest? Join Jonathan, Corbin, and Stephen as they approach this biblical command to rest.
We know that we are made in "His image", but what does that really mean? Is it a physical thing, a spiritual thing, or something else entirely? Being that we are all create by God in the same way, how are we to interact with other "image bearers"? Join Corbin, Jonathan, and Stephen as we discuss what it means to be made in the Image of God.
It says in Genesis 1 that God created the earth in all of these days. But what even is a day? How do we have light without a sun? Are dinosaurs here at this point in the story? Join Jonathan, Corbin, and Stephen as they unpack all of these questions and more.
Where does light come from? Many scientists have been baffled by this question since the beginning of time. How does it appear? If light is a substance, then what does that make darkness? Are aliens created with the Heavens? Join Stephen, Matt, and Jonathan as they discuss all of these questions and more.
God is one person, but also three people. But how is 1 also 3? Many scholars have tried to reason the Trinity. None have scratched the surface of who God is. In this episode, we talk about the significance of the Trinity. We also review the role of the Trinity in Creation. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they start this new series Building on Foundations.
We all have felt the hustle and bustle of Christmas. We want the best Holiday experience possible for ourselves and those around us. The hoops we have to jump through can lead us into a season that feels like a Feast or one that feels like a Famine. Whichever camp you find yourself in, know that you're not alone. During this season find ways to spread some cheer to those around you. Our team here at, CitizenATX, wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! See you in 2026.
Its the greatest time of the year!...at least for most of us... It is certainly easy to find people who experience immense joy during the Christmas season. But what do we say to those that are having a hard time during the holidays? How are we to interact with the grumpy "bah humbug" folks at our Christmas party's? How do we find Joy in a holiday season that looks different than those of the past? Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they discuss Grumpiness vs Joy during the holidays.
The holiday season is filled with family time, decorations, and...of course...food. We tend to have more than our fair share of food during this time of the year, but is there a point where we have indulged a little too much? At what point are we stepping into the sin of Gluttony? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they begin this new series called Christmas Crossroads.
There are many great churches and many great organizations out there that could use our help. How are we to discern whether to help the church or a charity? How do we determine which charity's to give to? What is a healthy motivation for giving? Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they answer these questions and more on this final episode of Church and Money.
"Doesn't the church have enough money?" "There are plenty of other members that will give to help keep the lights on. Why do I have to give?" "What do they even do with all of that money? It's probably to pay for the pastors house." If you have been in the church long, then you've probably heard a few quotes like these. Many are skeptical about giving to the church and they have good reason to be. Any place where money changes hands provides the opportunity for fraud or malpractice. What is the church's history with money? What should I look for in my local church and how they deal with finances? How can I talk to my pastors about financial concerns? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they lay out the case for a healthy model of church finances that you can trust.
Money is one of the hardest subjects to talk about in church. It just has a weird aura about it that the kids would call..."cringe"... But how are we as DualCitizens supposed to handle money? How can a church be transparent and open about it's finances? How do I talk to a friend about giving to the church? Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they discuss all of these questions and more.
If you've been a Baptist for long, then you have probably heard of the Cooperative Program. A lesser known stat is that 40% of Southern Baptist Churches choose to be autonomous and opt out of the cooperative program. With all of these options, how does the church choose whether or not to cooperate? Who should they cooperate with? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the history of the cooperative program and whether a church should join it, go autonomous, or a mixture of both.
Congratulations! Your church has been experiencing a tremendous amount of growth in recent years. But the room is getting packed out every week. What do you do now? Should you build a bigger room? Should you build a new campus? Should you use resources to plant a new church in another city? Sometimes it is hard to make these decisions, but they are all good problems to have. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss effective ways to steward your church's resource towards the greatest kingdom impact.
"Should I stay or should I go now...." Am I the only one who thinks of this song when considering a mission opportunity? The balance between local missions and global missions is often a sensitive topic in any church. Many are connected to the needs right here in our city, while others are passionate about helping those in extreme situations overseas. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they talk through best practices for finding the balance between staying local and going global.
If you have been in the church long, you have probably seen man different examples of missions. There is a tension involved in the planning, operation, and philosophy of every mission objective. Join us in this new series as we take an in depth look at Church Missions and Individual Missions.
Spiritual Gifts might be the most polarizing topic in modern Christianity. What does Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit? How did Jesus intend for us to use spiritual gifts to serve the church? How should a church facilitate the use of spiritual gifts? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as the discuss all of this and more on this final episode of Blueprints.
In this episode, we tackle the hot button topic of church discipline. Many different strategies for church discipline have been developed over the years. In this episode, we look at how Jesus demonstrated best practices for church discipline. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss effective strategies for church discipline.
We see that word "Ordinance" used in various places. It is used to describe historic decrees or, more commonly, to explain a new rule imposed by a state or local government. In the church, an ordinance is a biblical practice that is engrained in the traditions of the church as commanded by God. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as the take a look at what these ordinances are and what they mean for us as believers, in this episode of Blueprints.
The term "Authority" tends to have a negative connotation. But what does Biblical Authority look like? How are we to respond to the structures of authority that God has placed in our life? Where does authority come from? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they tackle these questions and many more.
A great leader casts a vision and then provides guidance on how their follows can help turn the vision into reality. That is exactly what Jesus is doing with The Great Commission. This is Jesus explaining our part in achieving His plan for the world. The Church is called to "Go", "Make Disciples", "Baptize", and "Teach". Find out what it means for the church to carry out these goals and more on todays episode with Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen.
Hey there! Thank you for listening to our new series called blueprints. In this series, we will discuss Jesus' design for the Church and how the modern church has followed or deviated from that. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they start us off by discussing the purpose of gathering as a church.
Our next host knows what it means to educate people of all cultures. Grainne is the Global Head of Leadership Consultancy of her own company "Leading Your International School". She has traveled the world with a heart and passion for teaching kids. She has seen God work in many different ways through her work. Let's lean in as we hear of the type of impact educators can make all over the world.
Batter up... While most of us have never gone pro in any sport, we all have a tendency to allow our identity to become wrapped up in our work. It is important to remember, no matter what your job is, that your identity is in Christ alone. There is no more freeing truth than that. Today retired MLB pitcher, Scott Linebrink, joins us to explain how trusting in the Lord's plan might lead you to places you never expected to be, but is always worth it.
If your YouTube feed features gluten-free baking, you’re likely already acquainted with our next guests. Mary Allyson and Tanner have skyrocketed to YouTube stardom since starting their channel over 5 years ago. Join us as they discuss the joys and challenges of building an online presence, and how their faith plays a crucial role in their journey.
Dr. Jimmy Myers is the founder of The Timothy Center and Adjuvant Behavioral Health Incorporated. As a former minister in various churches and now as a licensed Behavioral Therapist, Jimmy has certainly learned the value of investing in people and helping them through the rough times in life. As DualCitizen's, we are called to look after those around us. Listen in as Jimmy shares his heart for counseling others in the faith.
Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts that you can give someone. Jesus taught us to "love our neighbors". This concept of neighbors includes everyone in our sphere of influence. Our next guest, Elizabeth Griffin, is the CEO of Brookwood in Georgetown which is a community where adults with disabilities can enter the workforce in a controlled environment and learn to serve the Lord in the process. Come listen to how Elizabeth has learned to encourage those with special needs, and how she herself has been encouraged by watching them learn and grow.
While many of us don't have advanced medical degrees, we all have an impact on the emotional and spiritual well-being of those around us. However, it is fascinating to hear from someone who helps people to heal physically, on how that intersects with the way we heal mentally and spiritually. Join us as Dr. David Lakey, Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at the University of Texas System, explains what it is like to live out your faith in the field of medicine.
"Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live" Deueronomy 30:19b. There are many places in God's Word where He instructs us to protect the vulnerable in our community. One of the best ways to do this is by helping out local pro life ministries. Our next guest is Jo Markham. Jo is the Executive Director of Agape Women's Clinic which provides help to families facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Relationships are important for everyone. This most important relationship is our relationship with God. However, we all need to learn how to have a good relationship with people as well. It is always good to have someone come along side us and help us get better at forming these relationships. Today's guest has a heart for helping people build healthy relationships with both family and coworkers. Welcome Lindsey Werner the Founder and Relational Coach of the Relational Equipping Center here in Austin, TX.
Many of us have political biases. We can lean hard one way or the other. It take a person of extremely respectable character to throw out your bias in order to make a proper judgement of another person. Today's guest is exactly that type of person. Justice Scott Field serves as a Justice on the 15th Court of Appeals for Texas. We hope that you can gain insights from the way that Scott's faith has influenced his life and career.
We all have different skills/expertise that set us apart. God can use you to make a difference in people, no matter your circumstance. That is why, in this brand new series, we are sitting down with some of the leaders in our community that have had a major impact on the people they lead. Today's leader is Drew Sanders. Drew is the Head Football coach for the 6A Texas State Champion's, Vandergrift High School. Join Matt and Drew as they discuss coaching, leadership, and how to use your faith to motivate others around you.
Perhaps, the most iconic scene from "The Office", is the episode when Toby comes back and Michael immediately shouts "NOOOOOOO!!" Sometimes God's "no's" feel this loud and abrasive to us. Other times He delivers a soft and subtle "no". Regardless, it is important for us, as DualCitizens, to recognize that God does sometimes respond to us with a "no" and that it is wise to respect His will in all circumstances. Join Matt, Stephen, and Jonathan as they discuss David's ability to accept God's "no".
Producer Stephen recently shared that one of his favorite hymns is "Trust and Obey". A great line from that hymn is "For there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus. Than to Trust and Obey." Obeying the Lord is certainly an important factor of living a life that is connected to God. As dual citizens, we must find ways to obey God both inside and outside the walls of the church.
Who is the best leader you can think of? Is there anyone in your life that was super easy to follow? King David was certainly a great leader. However, even as a great leader, we can see a massive difference between David leading the Israelites towards God's plan and David ignoring God's plan to suit his own desires. Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they discuss David's rise to leadership and the beginning of his new role as king.
Many of us read the story of the end of Saul's life and can't but think to a time where it seemed like nothing was going our way. Although most of us have probably never had an experience with conjuring the ghost of a prophet, I think we can all identify with Saul's story to some degree. Join Stephen, Matt, and Jonathan as they discuss chapters 28 & 31 of 1 Samuel.
"Don't make me angry. You won't like me when I'm angry." Anger is a strange emotion that is often misconstrued. While most of us don't necessarily turn into The Hulk when we get angry, many of us do struggle with allowing anger to get the best of us. How do we approach difficult situations that make us angry? Is there a proper use of anger in a Biblical context? Learn the answer to these questions and many more with Nathan, Matt, and Stephen as they talk through the events of 1 Samuel 25:9-35.
Does anyone remember the movie Jungle Book? (I am of-course referring to the better made cartoon version from the 90's). Every time I think of someone getting another person to trust them I can't help but think of Kaa singing "Trusssssssst in meeeeee".....am I the only one...I guess so.... WELL, God doesn't have to beg for our attention. He knows exactly how to call us into the next part of His plan. No one understood that more than David. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the ways that David trusted in God's plan, and rose to the occasion when He called.
Any spelunkers out there? There are two types of people when it comes to caves; Those that find them scary and those that find them fascinating. I think it is safe to say that David was more of the first type of person. He didn't like caves very much, but he didn't let that stop him from accomplishing God's plan. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the way that David responds to being in a season of caves.
"You've got a friend in me. Oh you've got a friend in me!" I can't help but think of this song when I read about Jonathan and David's friendship. Maybe you had a great friend that you think of who was more of a best friend. Jonathan and David were definitely best friends. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they talk about the true meaning of friendship by diving into 1 Samuel 20.
Comparison is a hard topic these days. We tend to compare ourselves to others often. Jealousy is running rampant in our culture as it has for all of time. It is hard for us to root for someones success amidst our own failures. Especially when our phones bring us a constant image of people who seem to have everything put together and perfect. How does Daniel remain so humble in the midst of his season of winning? How do Saul and Jonathan react to the rise of David as a leader? What can we learn from Saul's struggle with comparison? Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they discuss 1 Samuel 18:1-11.
How many times in life have you felt as if you have to over come a giant in order to do what God has called you to? Did you trust God enough to stand in courage in the face of such a daunting task? How did David stand with so much courage when facing Goliath? Join Matt and Jonathan as they discuss the story of David vs Goliath.
How do we know if God has called us to a new purpose? What is the difference between calling and anointing? The story of Saul and David paints two separate reactions to calls from God. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss this passage from 1 Samuel 16:14-23.
Many have probably heard David described as a "man after God's own heart". But what does it mean to seek after God's heart? What should I hold on to or give away in order to pursue God with all of my heart? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss this aspect of seeking after God's heart.
We hope that you all have enjoyed listening to CitizenATX this year. Feel free to go back and listen to past episodes during the holiday season. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they look to wrap up 2024 with one final episode of retrospective to look back on the past year and give vision for the future of the podcast.
Swords are known as one of the longest used weapons in the history of the world. Any soldier during biblical times would tell you that it is a death sentence to enter a battle without your sword. Why then would Christians go out of their way to leave their spiritual sword at home? In today's episode, Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen discuss why we should cling to the Sword of the Spirit as we walk through life as a DualCitizen.
Those that have played a sport with a helmet know how weird it can be to put on someone else's helmet. Even though technically the helmets are made the same way, a helmet has a way of fitting to our head that begins to get comfortable and helps us to play better. Having the right helmet makes a big difference in our performance. There is nothing more personal in our faith than our own story of salvation. Join Matt, Stephen, and Jonathan as they discuss this how we can use this helmet to be effective in the pursuit of the directive God has placed in our lives.
"Thou O Lord, are a shield for me." As a kid growing up I never really understood what those words, in Psalm 3:3, really meant. How is God shielding us? It wasn't until I got older that I realized that faith is the shield in our life. The stronger we are in our faith, the more protected we are from the enemy's schemes. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss this aspect of the Shield of Faith.
There is no more important objective of the Church or the Dual Citizen, than to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, to gain our footing in this objective we must first invest in the right footwear. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the importance of spreading the Gospel.
Have you ever played basketball with a guy who really had no offense, but was exceptional at defense? Sometimes he was worth having on the team solely to stop the other side from gaining any ground while we rallied for an upset. This is sort of like the Breastplate of Righteousness. It will help to guard your heart so that you can move forward in the battle. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the importance of leaning on the righteousness of God.
What is true? Do we even know anymore? It just so happens that biblical truth is unchanging. No matter what the world tries to pass as truth, the Word of God is unwavering in its stance on the truth. This is why it is so crucial that the believer put on this Belt of Truth every day to protect and defend themselves from the lies of Satan and the world. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss how we are to live with this Belt of Truth.
The Armor of God is one of the most important concepts to understand on your walk with God. As we search to find our place as Dual Citizens, it is crucial that we rely on the Armor of God protect us and to give us confidence as we move forward in the faith. Join Matt, Stephen, and Jonathan as they tease this new series.
To think that we came all the way from people pouring tea in the harbor over a tea tax, to everyone paying taxes on the same money multiple times; is astonishing...but I digress... Churches are currently under fire for the tax breaks and benefits that they receive. Many dual citizens are wondering what that will do to a church? Will it be the end of churches in America? Also, how do ADA and environmental regulations affect the way a church is allowed to operate? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they answer these questions and more on the last episode of Future Church.
If you have been around a church long enough, then you may have heard that church staff members often experience burnout from their role on staff. Pastors are pressed with the difficult responsibility to not only take care of their own spiritual and mental health, but to also care for the spiritual and mental health of their staff. "Soul Care" is a term used to describe the concept of biblical stress relief and comfort that can help limit or prevent burnout, and help you to be the most effective member of the church that you can be. Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen as they discuss how soul care will change with the future of the church.
🎵"I'm coming back to the heart of worship, and it's all about you. It's all about you Jesus"🎵. When Matt Redman wrote those lyrics in 1998 they were considered a bold statement of faith in the beginning of a time of change in the Church. He was reminding us in that time that, no matter what means you use to worship, the important thing to remember is that it is all about Jesus. What is the message that we should send to our young people in the church so that they understand worship? What will worship in the church look like in the future? Join Matt, Todd, Garrett, and Stephen as they discuss the future of music as a means of worship.
They have never lived in the world without smartphones, but they certainly know how to use technology better than the rest of us. Generation Z (GenZ for short) has been called the "hopeless generation", but they call themselves the "hopeful generation". Join Matt, Garrett, and Corbin as they discuss what the future church might look like as GenZ grows into leadership rolls.
There will likely be an increased population of people on earth in the future, but will there be an increased population of people in church in the future? Is the physical building of church going to be replaced? Find the answer to these questions, and many more, on todays episode about the future of church membership. Join Matt. Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss what the church may look like, and how we can encourage people to stay connected as a body of believers.
The future may be uncertain, but we know that the Lord has a plan and purpose for whatever may happen. Still it begs the question, what will the church look like in the future? Perhaps the biggest component to the future of the church is the innovation of technology in the coming years. How is the church to respond to this increased demand to use technology? Should we push forward in the opposite direction of culture or use the technology to our advantage? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the future roll of technology in the church.
How many times, in recent years, have you heard someone talk about how "divided" the country is? We hear about it nearly every day, but why is it that we seem so divided? How are we as Christians to respond to people who have different beliefs than us? Join Matt and Stephen as they take a look at the state of today's culture and what role the Dual Citizen plays in it.
For those that grew up in the 2000's, you probably remember movies like "The Day After Tomorrow", which dealt with the idea of climate change. Whether it be in the form of Global Cooling in the 60's or Global Warming in the 2000's, Climate Change has been a hot button issue for quite some time. There is not doubt that this has become a politically charged point of disagreement between many people. Join Matt and Stephen as they discuss how we as Dual Citizens are to respond to this idea of climate change.
As we step into this 2024 election season, it seems like abortion might one of the biggest issues on the ballot. This will be an important topic at the federal level, but especially at the state level as several states begin to shape legislation. So how are we as Christians to think about this issue? What can the Church do to help in this political climate? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the topic of abortion.
If you have paid any attention to the news in the first part of 2024, then you likely have seen that Israel and Hamas (Gaza) are at war. The back lash to this war has been highly politicized from the very beginning. So how are we as dual citizens supposed to react to situations like this one. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they open up our new series PreHeat.
"And they all lived happily ever after." There is something inside of us that desires a good ending to a story. All the classic fairy tales follow this rule to end on a high note with everyone living happy together forever. The story of Revelation is even better than a fairy tale because it is true. Although there is wrath and judgement in this book, the great promise that we get from God is that: "All who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen in this final episode of Revelation_Directors Cut.
"And they all lived happily ever after. The End." It is a joy to know that God's people will live forever with the Lord in Heaven. It is a story that far surpasses any fairytale story because it is true. In Revelation 22, John wraps up the entirety of his vision with some special words for those that may read this book. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they unpack John's final words in this last episode of Revelation_Directors Cut.
For centuries humanity has been obsessed with creating stories of characters with the magical power to fix anything with the move of a wand or the snap of a finger. Stories like: Disney's "Fantasia", the old cartoon "Popeye the Sailor Man", or even "Harry Potter". While these are all fictional stories that every human could only dream of, the story of God creating a "New Heaven" and a "New Earth" are very much real! Join Matt, Stephen, and Jonathan as they discuss the new creation found in Revelation 21.
At this point in Revelation, Armageddon is over and the anti-christ and the dragon are done for. However, Satan is still around. Also, everyone left on earth that hasn't chosen to follow Christ is killed and sent to Hades. What more is left to do? Join Jonathan, Matt, and Stephen to find out the next step of God's master plan in Revelation 20.
What are your favorite battle scene speeches in cinematic history? My top two are: the Braveheart speech and Russell Crowe's final monologue from Gladiator. We all have this picture of what a great war hero looks like. However, Jesus' final battle will be much greater! Join Matt, Stephen, and Jonathan as they discuss the battle that is already won in Revelation 19:11-21.
"Here comes the bride..." Any of you married ladies remember the day of walking down the aisle? Do you remember how happy everyone was to see you? What about the reception afterwards? The church is referred to as the "Bride of Christ". This is, of course, a metaphor used to show how much Jesus loves us. Join Matt, Stephen, and Jonathan as they discuss this "Marriage Reception" found in Revelation 19:1-10.
In this episode, we take the time to read and answer YOUR questions. Revelation is a complicated book, and there are a lot of concepts left open for interpretation. While we can't find all of the answers, the one thing we can be sure of is that "Our Hope Is on the Throne". Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they unpack these questions from fellow listeners.
Send us your questions about Revelation 1-18. You can send those questions to our Instagram on @AustinBaptistChurch or by emailing info@austinbaptistchurch.com . We look forward to answering your questions on a special Ask Me Anything edition of Revelation_Directors Cut.
We have all heard the old adage, "The Pride Comes Before the Fall". This all the more true in the context of Babylon and the end times. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss "Babylon's Fall" in Revelation 17&18.
Every great drama has a point where circumstances become so low that it looks like the characters are at "rock bottom". Then something major happens and the characters life begins to look up. If they are lucky, then they might even get a "happily ever after". That is similar to this section of Revelation, except there is no luck involved. The only path for hope and the only way out of eternal suffering is through faith in God. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they unpack the end of tribulation in Revelation 14-16.
I suppose you could say that John was envisioning: "Demons and Dragons and Beasts...Oh My!" With dreams like that you have to imagine that John really wasn't getting a lot of sleep... In any case, isn't it great that God gave us a path to avoid all of the destruction that will come from these evil creatures?! Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss Revelation 12 & 13.
Have you ever been watching a drama show and get the overwhelming feeling of suspense only to be halted by a commercial right at a cliffhanger?!? ...it's a touchy subject I know... That is kinda what this section of Revelation is like, only the people living it will greatly welcome the pause in chaos! Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss Revelation chapters 10 & 11.
If you are like me, you may have imagined the blowing of the trumpets in Revelation to sound like the beginning of "Sweet Victory" from SpongeBob...or perhaps you imagine the trumpet fanfare from Princess Bride. Either way, while we don't know what song the trumpets will play, we do get a glimpse at the type of wrath that God will bring at the sounding of each trumpet. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they take a closer look at Revelation chapters 8 & 9.
"Who knows what the future holds?" This question often pops up as we get into the unknowns of the book of Revelation. There have been many that say "Why does it matter?" or "Do we really have to talk about this?". However, there are also many that have spent hours speculating and even debating their eschatological views. The one thing that we know for sure is that Jesus is coming back, and when He does it will be to win the battle. In todays episode, we move from instruction for the past to projection of the future. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the meaning of the 7 Seals in Revelation 6 & 7.
Ever find yourself thinking about what Heaven will be like? Many people like to talk about what Heaven will look like, or who will be there...will my dog be there?...etc. While we don't get a ton of insight into all of these questions, one thing that is made clear is that we will all be fully captivated in the awe and wonder of God. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they unpack this glimpse of the Throne Room of God, and discuss the importance of worship as shown in chapters 4&5 of Revelation.
Ever wonder what the possible pitfalls of a church can be? A church is full of people, and people are sinful by nature. It might be easy for a church that isn't seeking after God, to steer off path. In chapters 2 & 3 of Revelation, Jesus gives us 7 letters to 7 churches that describe a variety of different situations a church can go through. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as they discuss the 7 letters from Jesus, and what they mean for the modern church.
The Apocalypse is coming!!! Well...it is coming...but we aren't really too sure about when. The book of Revelation has always been one that is wrapped in mystery and intrigue. Many great debates have been held on this book from: whether you're pre/post/mid trib to whether or not you spell it with an "S" on the end. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Stephen as we unpack (as much as we can) from Revelation 1. Also, feel free to go watch the sermon on this passage at austinbaptistchurch.com/watch .
Merry Christmas everyone! We hope that you are taking the time to spend time next to those you love, and enjoy the true spirit of Christmas. In this final episode of the year, we wanted to unpack a few other Christmas myths and discuss the idea of tradition in the Christmas season. Join Matt, Stephen, and Nathan as they discuss the traditions of Christmas.
"That Feeling When: you realize the 'Three Kings' weren't kings, and we don't know how many there were." 😮 Of all of the people mentioned in the Christmas story, the Magi are perhaps the most misunderstood. However, their story is full of examples of finding purpose in the miraculous wonder of God's plan. Join Matt, Nathan, and Stephen as they discuss the incredible story of the Magi.
Get out the eggnog and the ugly sweaters, because Christmas is finally HERE!! This truly is one of the most wonderful times of the year, and we hope that you find time to enjoy it with those that you love. With the spirit of Christmas in full force, we wanted to take a deeper look into the true reason for the season. Join Matt, Nathan, and Stephen as they discuss the overwhelming scene of angels appearing to shepherds in multitudes.
"To cuss or not to cuss that is the question"... Well actually it is a little bit more complicated than that. Did Jesus ever cuss/curse? Did Paul? Should curse words be a part of the vocabulary of a dual citizen? Jonathan and Matt cover all of this and more in todays episode.
Those of you with siblings know, all too well, the struggle of fighting with family. Whether it be arguing over which song to play in the car or who gets the last bite of food, family and loved ones can drive us to a breaking point if we let them. Despite the negative emotions that can be associated with arguing, it is a necessary aspect of loving others. However, to argue in love means to argue fairly. Join Matt and Jonathan as they discuss how we can fight fair with those that we love.
Imagine...you walk into a coffee shop and order a coffee with 2 pumps of vanilla, 1 pump of mocha, and 1 pump of caramel. The barista replies with, "Would you like any extra sugar with that?" What a great start to a day... Those of you with teenagers in the house know just how easily one can become passive aggressive. We aren't even taught how to do it, yet it flows out so naturally. Being passive aggressive may seem harmless or easy, but it can have a negative impact on our witness to those around us. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren as they show us how to navigate away from being passive aggressive.
Have you ever been in that year end review and thought, " yeah, nothing they're saying about me makes any sense." We've all been there. Whether you have been around for a while or are just beginning to build your life, you have probably come to realize the complexities surrounding the idea of criticism. Criticism can be difficult to receive and difficult to deliver. So how are we as dual citizens taught to handle criticism? Join Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren as they open our new series, Feedback.
"So did you find someone to marry yet?" How many times have we been asked this question at church or at family gatherings? It seems like the answer is always something like: "I'm not sure" or "It's in God's hands." Looking at these interactions and many others like them, it is easy to say that there is a bit of misunderstanding between the single people and the married people of the world. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren as they wrap up our Rivalries series by discussing the tension between singleness and marriage in the church.
We all had those friends...you know... the ones that would only listen to christian music and would only watch christian moves. They probably watched the "Left Behind" series a million times, and read all of the books. We also know those friends that listen to the craziest music and spend every Saturday night going to the most wild parties, only to wake up incredibly tired and show up to church to "atone for their sins". Which friend is right? Are they both wrong? Is it ok to enjoy things of the world? Join Matt and Jonathan as they discuss Legalism vs Licentiousness.
Our hearts go out to the people of Israel, as well as, the refugees in Gaza that are caught in the middle of this war. We thought we would be remiss if we didn't take this opportunity to discuss the tension between Israel and Palestine that has existed for a millennium. Join Matt, Lauren and Jonathan as they discuss the history of this conflict, and give ideas on how to best pray for the situation as it unfolds.
Mental health is one of the most pressing issues of our time. In a world, full of virtual reality and a "create your truth" mentality, it can be incredibly difficult to search for any kind of purpose in life. Join Matt and Jonathan as they discuss the rivalry between mental health and spiritual health, and why you should value both of these in your life.
We are living in the Digital Age. Not only do you have access to more information than ever before because of a device in your hand, but also other people have more information about YOU than ever before because of a device in your hand. With the sharing of information and even the rapid development of AI, technology is a beast that will continue to grow whether we like it or not. However, how do we as dual citizens navigate the challenge of knowing when to utilize technology and when to unplug? Join Matt, Jonathan, Nathan, and Lauren as they discuss the pros and cons of living with technology.
We may be dorks for discussing science, but it is a fascinating topic. Most people would probably say that Science and Faith don’t mix, but we hear at CitizenATX are here to explain how they actually work together. Join Matt, Nathan, and Jonathan as they discuss Science vs Faith.
Sports have never been more popular than they are now. Nobody knows that better than parents of kids who play sports. However, of late, it seems that coaches, schools, and other organizations have begun to value church a lot less. Games and practices on Sundays have become a cultural norm, and the pressure of attending these events can mean the difference between a hobby and a career (or so they tell you...) Join Matt, Lauren, and Jonathan as they discuss how to navigate the sports world as a player or parent, while still valuing your faith and the church.
Ahhh....the leaves are falling, pumpkin spice is brewing, AND COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK!!!!!! With the new season underway, we know that there will be many days of cheering for your team and against the others. We figured what better time than now to start our new series: Rivalries. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren as they discuss how to handle the rivalry between Politics and The People We Love.
It's been a long summer, but with a few days of temperatures not in the 100's it is officially the start of fall! With the cooler weather and pumpkin spice lates, we also welcome back the regularly scheduled programming of Citizen ATX!! In an effort to refresh from our long hiatus, we wanted to open up the new school year with a reminder of why we started this podcast. Join Lauren, Matt, and Jonathan as they discuss the vision and mission of Citizen ATX.
1 Kings 17:8-9
Where do you go when your brook runs dry?
“Because of our proneness to look at the bucket and forget the fountain, God has to frequently change His means of supply to keep our eyes fixed on the course.” – Watchman Nee
1. God is our great provider
2. Gives us physical bread
3. Gives us spiritual bread
4. The resurrection is the foundation of our faith
Austin Baptist Church and Citizen ATX have the privilege of getting to partner with an incredible ministry called The Community Egypt. TC Egypt is reaching thousands of lives in Egypt and they plan to reach millions more as they spread the good news across the middle east. In this episode, Jonathan talks with the founders of TC Egypt Tony and Vanda George. Join us as Tony and Vanda share the story of how they met, and how God has led them to create a ministry that is touching countless lives for the kingdom of God.
"April showers bring May flowers"...or if you're from Central Texas..."May showers followed by the overwhelming sensation of 100 degrees and 100% humidity!" Nevertheless, all of the rain and heat is a good indicator that we are entering the wonderful time of Summer. Book lovers will be nestled under an umbrella on the beach with their favorite read, and others will be tanning by the pool while listening to a "banger" from their favorite band. In case ya'll need some inspiration on reading materials or music, we here at CitizenATX have decided to discuss some of our all time favorites. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren as they discussion their favorite book and music selections. Also, stayed tuned at the end for a mini-episode on our favorite things to do over the summer.
Cartoons... Snack time... Art class... Recess... We all remember these great moments of life, but these kids are living it. The generation we know the least about so far, might also be one of the most important ones of the future. With all that is going on in the world, it is important for us to pay attention to how our youngest church goers are learning to navigate life's challenges. Join Matt, Kate, and Miles as they discuss the chaotic...but fun...world of Gen Alpha.
If you are old enough to remember the creation of the iPad but too young to remember the creation of smartphones, then you my friend are a part of Gen Z. From the tide pod challenge to the lip glue challenge, this generation has been under a lot of scrutiny. Despite the negative assessment, members of Gen Z are starting to think actively about what it means to become a leader in society. Join Matt G, Sam, and Matt K as they discuss how the church can be a light to Gen Z, and vice versa.
If you have an old iPod full of songs that are downloaded off of Napster or Limewire, then you probably belong to the generation in today's episode. For those that remember the emergence, the fall, and the re-emergence of Britney Spears; it is easy to say that the millennials have been a generation to see some of the best of times and some of the worst of times. Sit back and hold on to your participation trophies as Mitchell, Julia, and Jonathan discuss life as millennials.
If you are like me...you may have watched a particular Rick Astley Music video, and immediately imagined yourself in a '82 corvette blaring this song in the high school parking lot. Many would say that the '80s was the greatest decade in history, but only a true Gen Xer really knows what it was like to be in high school and college during that decade! Join Matt, Bill, and Lynette as we approach the midpoint of our series Multi-Gen.
According to Obrien Pharmacy, The Baby Boomer generation is living longer than previous generations. Perhaps that is because there are more people in that generation than in previous generations, or perhaps it is because they have found the fountain of youth! Whatever the case, we do know that the boomers grew up on fire for the Lord, and that they greatly value having fellowship with each other. Join Jonathan, Vicki, and Steve as we continue our series Multi-Gen.
"Sunday Monday happy days, Tuesday Wednesday happy days, Thursday Friday happy days, Saturday what a day, Rockin' all week for you." I can still visualize the intro for the old classic TV Show Happy Days.Many of us younger folks have wonder what it would have been like to grow up in the '50s, but todays guests actually lived it! Join Terry, Billie, and Matt as we kick off our new series Multi-Gen.
In this episode of CitizenATX, we recap a mission trip our church was able to be a part of. Jonathan Spencer and Dr. Jimmy Myers give us an update on how the trip went and what they were doing down there in Fayoum. We also discuss how the you can be involved in the next trip!
I can hear it now, "Call J.G Wentworth 877-CASH-NOW!" Sung in an opera style commercial... (We are not sponsored by J.G Wentworth...or anyone else...) We all remember those catchy jingles or one liners from a commercial that stick with us forever. Perhaps, the most recognizable of these commercials are the lawyer ads. Lawyers existed in the biblical times as well, and in todays parable we get a glimpse at one of Jesus' interactions with a lawyer. Join Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren as they discuss The Parable of the Good Samaritan Luke 10: 29-37
We have all been in the situation as a kid where we complain to our parents that something "isn't fair!" Inevitably, we always end up getting the same response "Life isn't fair." The characters of todays story definitely had their opinions on fairness in The Parable of the Talents. Join Matt, Lauren, and Jonathan as they take a deeper look at Matthew 25:14-30.
We all have been a part of, or at least heard of, a bad business deal... Money is seen by many as the object that "makes the world go 'round", but what did Jesus think about money? In todays parable, found in Luke 16:1-13, we get just a glimpse at Jesus' perspective on money. Join Matt, Stephen, and Lauren as they unpack this often skipped over parable, and discuss how it might help us use money to make a positive difference today.
Humility can be one of the most difficult character traits for us to work on. Join Matt, Lauren, and Stephen as they discuss a parable that pushes our perspective on what it means to live with humility. In this episode, we discuss the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector found in Luke 18:9-14.
It' a new year, and with that comes new conversations! Join Matt, Lauren, and Jonathan as they start our new series "Parables Reimagined". In this episode, we take a look at the parable of the Lost Son, seen in Luke 15:11-32. What was the audience's reaction to this story when Jesus told it? How does this story apply to us in a modern context?
So...it's the week of Thanksgiving and the beginning of a holiday season and we get it...family dynamics around the dinner table are rough. Whether its talking about politics, hot button social topics, or receiving that same piece of unsolicited advice again this year - Matt, Lauren, and Jonathan are here to help. In this episode, we take a look at how to navigate being home for the holidays through the lens of God's Word and our experiences in order to communicate well, have peaceful conversations, address conflict, and shine the light of Christ to those around us.
Now that Halloween is behind us and we are moving into the rest of the holiday season...we know that you can find yourself around the dinner table with family or friends who might think differently than you. Maybe they don't even have a faith and identify as an Atheist or Agnostic. What does that mean? Why do they not believe in God? How do we respond to questions about and arguments against the faith? Join Matt, Nathan, and Lauren as we talk about some practical tools to have meaningful discussions regarding oppositions to the faith that you have from a place of truth and love.
It's Halloween and we're here to talk about all things witches, witchcraft, and Wiccans...? We know that these are probably words you don't hear very often but people today do practice and dabble in witchcraft. Not the "you're a wizard, Harry" type of thing - but more so the spells drawn from nature, gods, and goddesses. What do they believe? What does God's Word say about this? Thankfully Lauren, Nathan, and Matt are here to help as we continue in our series: Coexist.
In last week's episode, we continued our series by examining Buddhism. This week we are covering the Mormon faith. We talk about the founder, beliefs about the afterlife, Jesus, the prophets, the Bible, and much more. What is the Book of Mormon? Are Mormons Christian? Come along with Matt, Lauren, and Jonathan as we unpack these topics and more through the lens of God's Word.
Last week we took a look at Islam, this week we tackle Buddhism.
Where did Buddhism originate? What do Buddhists believe? Who was Buddha? What are common practices of Buddhists? What does God's Word say about it?
If you have these questions, you're not alone. Jonathan, Lauren, and Matt discuss all of this and more in today's episode.
We've all seen that bumper sticker, but what does it truly mean to "Coexist" with different faiths and versions of truth? Today Matt, Jonathan, and Lauren take a deep dive into the first of many religions that we will discuss: Islam. We cover the overview, basic beliefs, and pillars of faith through the lens of God's Word.
In the last episode of the series, we continue a conversation on spiritual gifts. Jonathan, Matt, and Lauren discuss the "controversial" gifts such as prophecy and healing and answer questions around these gifts. Why are they so controversial? Do they still exist today? What are the biblical definition of these gifts?
Spiritual gifts are real and biblical, but often unclear and confusing to us. In today's episode, Jonathan, Matt, and Lauren walk us through a practical definition of what spiritual gifts are. How and when do we get them? How do we discover what spiritual gifts we were given? Additionally, we walk you through a list of several spiritual gifts that a Christian may have that are purposeful for glorifying God and edifying the Church.
In last week's episode, we uncovered and discussed who the enemy of this world is and how he affects and influences the world around us. As we continue in our series, now we discuss how we protect ourselves as Christians from evil and the influence of sin. What does it mean to make a battle plan against the enemy? What does it mean to put on the full armor of God? And what significance does it have to know Jesus Christ has already won the war amongst the battles we face of this world?
Continuing on our new series, Matt, Lauren, and Jonathan lead us in questions and discussions about the devil. Who is he? What's his strategy and mission? Who does he target and why?
Scripture tells us we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil that we cannot see. What exactly does this mean? In our new series, we will discuss all things spiritual. Jonathan and Lauren walk us through common questions and give you a substantial preview of what's to come in the coming weeks!
Welcome to our new series; Summer Takes! Matt and Jonathan bring up the conversation of pride month. What ought to be the Church's response in the midst of this? What has been the right response of the Church and where has the Christian missed the mark in their response to this issue?
Welcome another one of our very own, Lauren Ortiz, our Director of Communications. Lauren shares with us about how her encounter with Christ changed her eternity, identity, and view of God.
Welcome our guest of the week and Senior Pastor at Sunset Canyon Baptist Church; Russell Dixson! Russell shares with us how God changed and saved him from addiction following his time as a baseball player.
As we continue in our changed series, welcome the Director of Development from the Texas Baptist Children's Home; David Gillian! David shares with us how he experienced God's hand in his early life in the midst of abuse and how God used Texas Baptist Children's Home to transform David's life.
We welcome our very own, Matt & Adrian Gillum as we continue in our “Changed” series. Matt & Adrian share with us their experience with their daughter, Kate Gillum, and her unexpected health issues and what it was like to trust in God in the midst of a life threatening situation.
Welcome our first guest of the new series; Chet Burchett! Chet shares with us his incredible story and testimony and walks us through what it looks like to experience continued faith and hope in Christ in the midst of loss.
We are very excited to kick off a new series! Take a listen as Matt gives you a quick sneak peak on what's to come! Series begins next week!
Matt along our guests Nathan Wood and Lauren Ortiz walk us through our last two difficult sayings of Jesus in this series. We discuss Luke 10:17-20 and Mark 15:33-39 and reveal what meaning is behind Satan's fall and why one of Jesus' final words were so significant on the cross.
This week Jonathan and Matt focus on the tough words from Jesus in Matthew 8:21-22 and Matthew 25:31-36. Why would a guy have to choose between burying his father and following Jesus? And will we really go to hell if we do not hand out glasses of water and clothes to those in need? These topics and more are covered in this week’s discussion.
This week Jonathan and Matt are focusing on two perplexing sayings from Jesus found in Matthew 15:21-28 and Matthew 22:11-14. Did Jesus really compare a woman to a dog? And what kind of clothes do you have to wear to enter the kingdom of heaven? They answer these questions and more in this week’s episode.
We all love the red letters in our Bible, but the truth is many of Jesus’ words can be difficult to understand. In this series, Jonathan and Matt are going to discuss the hard sayings of Jesus. Each week they will focus on two perplexing passages with the goal of helping you understand what exactly Jesus meant by some of his most difficult words. This week’s episode focuses on Matthew 19:11-12 and Matthew 5:27-30.
We all love the red letters in our Bible, but the truth is many of Jesus’ words can be difficult to understand. In this series, Jonathan and Matt are going to discuss the hard sayings of Jesus. Each week they will focus on two perplexing passages with the goal of helping you understand what exactly Jesus meant by some of his most difficult words. This week’s episode focuses on Matthew 19:23-26 and Matthew 10:34-37.
Our ATX neighbor this week is Kenny Klinglesmith! He is currently the Area Director of Young Life; a faith-based, non-profit organization that seeks to build unconditional friendships with high school students on their turf and their terms. Kenny discusses with us the many challenges that comes with youth ministry outside of a church and how to effectively serve students, both church and unchurched in a Christ-like manner. You can find more information by following @CedarParkYoungLife on Instagram!
This week’s ATX Neighbor is J Huffman. J serves as the Pastor of Manup, a men’s ministry in the city of Austin that is on mission to help men connect to God and other men . We’ll discuss his story and how Manup came to life, and we’ll talk about challenges that men are currently facing and how we can do our best to point them to Christ.
This week’s ATX Neighbor is Lori DeVillez, founder and Executive Director of The Trotter House. Lori talks about her story as one of the leaders in the Pro-life movement in Austin, Texas. We’ll hear about what God is doing through crisis pregnancy centers around the country, and we’ll talk about the future of Roe vs. Wade in light of Texas’ recent heartbeat bill.
This week’s ATX Neighbor is bestselling author and international speaker, Gary Thomas. Gary drops in to talk about how we can pursue sacred marriages in our homes. We’ll discuss the idea that God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy.
This week’s ATX Neighbor is Dr. Jimmy Myers, founder of The Timothy Center. Jimmy and his team offer professional Christian counseling to adults, adolescents, and their families. In this episode, Jimmy will talk about the modern day challenges that parents are facing. We’ll discuss the pitfalls of pornography, technology, and the challenges that COVID is creating for our next generation.
This week’s ATX Neighbors are University of Texas students, Grant Haden and Sarah Foster, who serve as Executive leaders in the on campus ministry, “Ignite.” They’ll share what God is doing on the 40 acres, and how we can all better understand and reach college students for Christ in our city.
What's on your top 5 Christmas list? Jonathan and Matt share several of their top 5 Christmas rankings!
From our Church family to yours, we wish you a very merry Christmas!
Tis the season of giving! We all love giving and receiving gifts for the holiday season! Have you ever stopped to wonder why we do so? Jonathan and Matt walk us through the origins of giving and receiving and discuss how giving can quickly become stressful. How can we be cheerful givers this Christmas? Is it possible to be a selfish giver during the holidays? What are some other ways we can show family and friends love by giving non-material items?
Grief and Christmas are not often connected, but it is a reality many people face. Whether you are experiencing it or know somebody who is, grief is inevitably a part of the holidays in a time where we typically become more reflective. Whether you have lost somebody or something, how do we cope with grief during such a busy time? What is the appropriate way to cope with grief during the holidays and confront it as Christians?
Christmas time is here! As the holidays roll around, we begin a new series. Let's talk holiday family feud! Jonathan and Matt walk us through the struggles and pressures of family during the crazy holiday season. How do we interact with our family? How do we show them we love them? What do we do when there is conflict between us during the holidays? What is our role in the family during the business of the holidays?
Happy thanksgiving weekend! As you prepare to enter the holidays, Jonathan and Matt close our series of "Asking for a friend" series and talk spiritual gifts! Exactly what it is a spiritual gift? How is a spiritual gift found? How do we develop our gift? Are there certain gifts that do not exist today?
If you have any questions, reach out at @austinbaptistchurch and stay on the look out for our upcoming holiday series, "Stay Behind Me Satan".
Let's talk some theology! In this episode, Jonathan and Matt hit on your questions sent in having to do with our fallen world and its' problem of evil. Why does God test us with difficult trials? Why do bad things happen and why do good people and things suffer evil? How are we to respond to the problem of evil?
Some questions could simply not be categorized! On today's episode, Jonathan and Matt take on multiple miscallaneous questions you've sent in. What does the Bible say about dinosaurs? Will animals go to heaven? Will there be food in heaven and will we be able to sleep? Are there such things as coincidences?
Money talk! We continue on our "Asking For A Friend" series and answer money questions! What is tithing and and we required to do so? How much should I give to the church and why should I contribute? Is gambling wrong? How does student debt play into giving faithfully? Don't forget to send in your questions at info@austinbaptistchurch.com
Love is in the air! We have our first batch of questions in our kick-off episode of the new series, "Asking For A Friend", where Jonathan and Matt will be answering your questions.
In today's episode we answer all things love! Who in the world do we marry? Is there such thing as "The One"? Why is it important to marry other Christians and what do I do if I'm married to a non-believer. Don't forget to send in more questions at info@austinbaptistchurch.com to get your question answered in the next episodes!
Got questions? Jonathan and Matt talk about what's to come in our upcoming series, "Asking For A Friend". If you have any questions that you've always wondered about ministry, relationships, theology, or anything beyond, ask away! Dm us a question at @austinbaptistchurch on Instagram or email info@austinbaptistchurch.com.
Jonathan and Matt are asking the question each week, “what are youlistening to?” Every day we are bombarded with voices and opinions that try to direct our lives, so the question is “which voices should we listen to?” Each episode will focus on different groups that we hear from often, and we will discuss how believers can discern which of those voices they should listen to. In this episode they will talk about the topic of your heart. Culture tells us to “follow our hearts,” but is that a sound biblical advice? They will talk about how pride and the pursuit of pleasure can taint our hearts, and how we must be discerning when we listen to our hearts.
Jonathan and Matt are asking the question each week, “what are you listening to?” Every day we are bombarded with voices and opinions that try to direct our lives, so the question is “which voices should we listen to?” Each episode will focus on different groups that we hear from often, and we will discuss how believers can discern which of those voices they should listen to. In this episode they will talk about the topic of internal voices. We often struggle with listening to the internal voices of self-doubt and low self-esteem. In this episode, we will talk about mental health struggles, and how we should respond to negative thoughts in our minds.
Jonathan and Matt are asking the question each week, “what are you listening to?” Every day we are bombarded with voices and opinions that try to direct our lives, so the question is “which voices should we listen to?” Each episode will focus on different groups that we hear from often, and we will discuss how believers can discern which of those voices they should listen to. In this episode they will talk about the topic of church. Why should you listen to pastors and spiritual leaders? How do you know which leaders to listen to, and are there churches you should not listen to?
Jonathan and Matt are asking the question each week, “what are you listening to?” Every day we are bombarded with voices and opinions that try to direct our lives, so the question is “which voices should we listen to?” Each episode will focus on different groups that we hear from often, and we will discuss how believers can discern which of those voices they should listen to. In this episode they will talk about the topic of family members. Should you always listen to your parents, or even your spouse? Is honoring them the same thing as doing everything they say?
Jonathan and Matt are asking the question each week, “what are you listening to?” Every day we are bombarded with voices and opinions that try to direct our lives, so the question is “which voices should we listen to?” Each episode will focus on different groups that we hear from often, and we will discuss how believers can discern which of those voices they should listen to. In this episode they will talk about the topic of music and movies. Can believers listen to any music and watch any movies? And how do those two artistic expressions impact our lives?
Jonathan and Matt are asking the question each week, “what are you listening to?” Every day we are bombarded with voices and opinions that try to direct our lives, so the question is “which voices should we listen to?” Each episode will focus on different groups that we hear from often, and we will discuss how believers can discern which of those voices they should listen to. In this episode they will talk about the topic of authority figures. Should we have authority over our lives? And should we always listen to those who are placed in authority?
Check out some of Jonathan and Matt's personal book recommendations!
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Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul's Path to God - Gary Thomas
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Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence For Every Believer - J. Oswald Sanders
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Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Donald S. Whitney
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Celebration of Discipline - Richard J. Foster
As we continue in our new normal series, we discuss the outward disciplines - Matt and Jonathan walk us through three of these: Worship, Giving, and Evangelism. How do we practice each of these? And why are these important to practice outwardly in the Christian faith?
As we continue in our new normal series, we discuss inward disciplines - disciplines that may not be as visible and trackable to others, but are fruitful when practiced regularly in the Christian faith. Jonathan and Matt walk us through three of these disciplines; Fasting, Solitude, and Rest.
PODCAST TIME NOTES
Fasting - 6:00
Solitude - 24:00
Rest - 33:15
As everyone reemerges from the pandemic, we all have an opportunity to hit the reset button in life. We can pick back up old habits, but we also have a chance to start new ones. As you establish your new norms, what spiritual practices do you plan to implement? This series will look at some of the most essential spiritual disciplines and teach you how to make them new norms in your life. This week’s episode is focused on scripture and we’ll cover questions such as: What is the difference between devotionals and bible study? Why should we practice both, and how can I get started? What are some of the good resources to help me understand the Bible?
As everyone reemerges from the pandemic, we all have an opportunity to hit the reset button in life. We can pick back up old habits, but we also have a chance to start new ones. As you establish your new norms, what spiritual practices do you plan to implement? This series will look at some of the most essential spiritual disciplines and teach you how to make them new norms in your life. This week’s episode is focused on prayer and we’ll cover questions such as: Why do we need to pray and how do we do it? And what do we do if we feel like our prayers are unanswered?
Christians are often called to “live in the world but not of it.” This Biblical charge is easy to remember but hard to understand. The Bible teaches us to live in the culture of our cities, but at the same time to not conform to it (1 John 2:15, Romans 12:2). This tension creates a clash that leads to three common reactions from Christians: cancel culture, confront culture, or compromise to the culture. This series will look at each of these reactions and discuss how citizens of the kingdom should respond to cultural challenges in our faith.
Christians are often called to “live in the world but not of it.” This Biblical charge is easy to remember but hard to understand. The Bible teaches us to live in the culture of our cities, but at the same time to not conform to it (1 John 2:15, Romans 12:2). This tension creates a clash that leads to three common reactions from Christians: cancel culture, confront culture, or compromise to the culture. This series will look at each of these reactions and discuss how citizens of the kingdom should respond to cultural challenges in our faith.
Christians are often called to “live in the world but not of it.” This Biblical charge is easy to remember but hard to understand. The Bible teaches us to live in the culture of our cities, but at the same time to not conform to it (1 John 2:15, Romans 12:2). This tension creates a clash that leads to three common reactions from Christians: cancel culture, confront culture, or compromise to the culture. This series will look at each of these reactions and discuss how citizens of the kingdom should respond to cultural challenges in our faith.
Thomas Jefferson took the phrase and incorporated it into his famous statement of peoples' inalienable rights, but what exactly did he mean by these concepts? Jonathan and Matt wrap up the series and discuss our final right; Pursuit of Happiness. What did Thomas Jefferson mean by the right to pursue happiness? What does it mean in our modern society? And what does it mean for us as Christians to pursue happiness?
Thomas Jefferson took the phrase and incorporated it into his famous statement of peoples' inalienable rights, but what exactly did he mean by these concepts? Jonathan and Matt continue in week 2 of the series and walk us through our second inalienable right: LIBERTY. What did Thomas Jefferson mean by the right to liberty? What does it mean in our modern society? And what does it mean for us as Christians to have the right to liberty?
Thomas Jefferson took the phrase and incorporated it into his famous statement of peoples' inalienable rights, but what exactly did he mean by these concepts? Jonathan and Matt begin a three part series on Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness and walk us through our first inalienable right: LIFE. What did Thomas Jefferson mean by the right to life? What does it mean in our modern society? And what does it mean for us as Christians to have the right to life?
Why are so many people leaving the church? Many Christians are asking that question as more Americans are becoming disconnected from their local churches. In this two-part podcast episode, Jonathan and Matt will discuss two specific groups that churches are trying to reach: the “dones” and the “nones.” This week, they will talk about the “Nones,” which are people that have grown up without any religious foundation. They’ll talk about how that culturally happened, and what steps the church can to make them give faith a chance.
Why are so many people leaving the church? Many Christians are asking that question as more Americans are becoming disconnected from their local churches. In this two-part podcast episode, Jonathan and Matt will discuss two specific groups that churches are trying to reach: the “dones” and the “nones.” This week, they will talk about those who “done” with church and what got them there. Further, they will talk through practical ideas for Christians to bridge the gap to those who have been burned or burned out.
As we cross the one year mark of Covid temporarily shutting down the physical gathering of the church, what lessons can we take away from it? Jonathan and Matt wrap up part two of the conversation and walk us through our last 3 lessons; Change Matters, kindness matters, and worship matters.
As we cross the one year mark of Covid temporarily shutting down the physical gathering of the church, what lessons can we take away from it? Jonathan and Matt walk us through our first three lessons; Mental health matters, technology matters, and community matters.
Trouble in paradise! Whether it's within relationships, friendships, or marriages, conflict is unavoidable. What does our social culture tell us about how to deal with conflict? How are we to respond to conflict in various situations? How do we resolve conflict while preserving relationships? Jonathan and Matt wrap up our "Love In The City" series and walk us through how it looks like to confront conflict as a dual citizen.
Matt and Jonathan wrap up the conversation of marriage and discuss what it looks like to practice healthy financial habits in a marriage. This is part two of the conversation as we continue in our series, "Love In The City".
Love talk continues!
Jonathan and Matt begin discussion about what marriage is and what it means to be married in our continued series: "Love In The City".
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When many people's homes were damaged and countless of our neighbor's lives were affected this past week, it raises the question that both believers and unbelievers often ask themselves: Where is God in the suffering? Jonathan and Matt talk us through why suffering exists and what our responsibility as a dual citizen is in the midst of a suffering world.
As Valentines Day approaches, we begin our series, "Love In The City", in which we will talk about what love means in friendships, dating, marriage, and relationships with our neighbors.
In this episode, Jonathan and Matt discuss what dating is and its cultural impacts on the definition of love.
The Citizen ATX podcast exists to provide practical conversations about what it means to live as a dual citizen in Austin, Tx. On our first episode, we give you a quick introduction to who we are and answer questions such as why Citizen ATX, what is the goal of Citizen ATX, and give you some insight to where we are heading.