Hold Fast: Recent Episodes
Kenny Roberts
On this podcast, we dive into God's Word for truths that we need in our daily life in order to "hold fast to our confession" as Hebrews 10 talks about. Our goal is to provide biblical truths for daily battles.
Here's the other podcast Kenny mentions: https://cowfordcatechism.buzzsprout.com
This episode challenges us to look at how we view being a part of a church. We need to go "Beyond Sunday" in our faith.
Kenny shares two sections of Scripture from Matthew 18 that tie together to encourage us in our fight against temptation and sin.
Kenny shares some thoughts as a pastor in light of the current political climate we find ourselves in here in America.
Self-care is a popular subject in our world because...well because we all could use a little more of it! But do we get this concept from the Bible? How should Christians think about it?
How can I forgive someone who has hurt me so deeply? Can I forgive AND forget what they did? Is reconcilliation always possible? Let's seek to answer these questions from a Biblical perspective.
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Here's the longer podcast episode on forgiveness mentioned in this episode: https://cowfordcatechism.buzzsprout.com/1341109/14722421-how-to-forgive-others
It's one of our favorite sayings as Christians - and for good reason! It speaks a powerful aspect of the Gospel message. Let's analyze this popular saying so we can know how to properly use it.
Can we disagree about important theological issues and still have unity as brothers and sisters in Christ?
Think of this episode as an introductory primer on hell. We will walk through what the Bible says about hell and give a few answers to some commonly asked questions and objections to it.
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For a deeper dive, you can listen to my most recent sermon that addresses hell here: https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLyszNmMzMjk2P2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
What does it mean to truly be a faithful member of your local church? Is it simply attending when you can and maybe joining a serving team? What exactly does the Bible have to say about this?
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Here's the link to the membership covenant Kenny walks through in this episode: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/11lsumjsbfmuty43q8nwi/MISSIONWAY-MEMBERSHIP-COVENANT.pdf?rlkey=hm65isv0aag86nqfzvyzjvxlw&dl=0
As pastors, we often get an up close and personal look at the challenges of marriage through our people coming to us for counsel. Unfortunately many times they don't seek out help until they believe it's too late. In this episode Kenny and fellow pastor Nic Williams discuss some of the trends we are seeing in Christian marriages, what we believe contributes to the problems many are facing, what steps to take to begin to heal your marriage, and more.
This episode is for anyone at any stage of marriage - especially if you believe your marriage is beyond hope. But even if you believe your marriage is doing really well, we believe this will be helpful for you to continue to grow and pour into this beautiful gift of marriage God has given us.
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You can find Pastor Nic's podcast here: https://www.southshorechurch.com/podcast
You can find out more information about his devotional for married couples here: http://www.southshorechurch.com/resources
Here are the questions Kenny mentioned to ask during a "weekly check-in" together: https://shorturl.at/ADJZ5
What does it look like to be almost a Christian? Jesus said this will be true of "many" at the final judgement. Let's be sure to examine ourselves.
Here's the link to the sermon Kenny mentioned: https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLytrYmY3bXlxP2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
Gossip is one of the most deceptive and slippery sins that we engage in. How can we know when we are engaging in it and how can we guard ourselves against it?
Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Is this a guarantee that godly parents always produce godly children?
Kenny references the following sermon in this episode: https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLyt2eWp6M2drP2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
We are often told to "wait on the Lord" but what exactly does that mean? What are we supposed to do as we wait?
Check out the Cowford Catechism podcast here:https://cowfordcatechism.buzzsprout.com
This is the final episode in the series where we address popular statements that claim to have their origin in the Bible, but in reality, the Bible never says that.
Continuing our series on statements you won't find in the Bible, let's discuss whether or not God gives us more than we can handle.
Here's the video Kenny referenced at the end of the episode: https://youtu.be/qyUPz6_TciY?si=_rbxuLHix9X_86-1
We're continuing our series on statements that we often say but are not found in the Bible. This episode tackles two of them that are closely associated with each other: "God helps those who help themselves" and "Let go and let God."
In this first episode of a series titled: "The Bible doesn't say that!" We are tackling the notion that God just wants you to be happy. Is that true? What is happiness and is that God's ultimate plan for us?
Kenny responds to a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl this past Sunday called "He gets us." Did the commercial get it right?
If you didn't see the commercial, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94BqlDQ-Ppo
How can you pray when you just don't know what to pray? Does the Lord want me to be compeltely honest with what I'm feeling? We answer these and other questions in this episode and also give some helpful advice from God's Word on how you can grow in your prayer life.
Kenny mentioned this book in the episode on learning to pray the Words of the Bible: https://www.amazon.com/Praying-Bible-Donald-S-Whitney/dp/1433547848?crid=SZ30YJIKVDWU&keywords=Praying+scripture&qid=1706042042&sprefix=praying+scriptur,aps,210&sr=8-6
In this episode, Kenny gives some brief and general thoughts on whether Christians are bound by the 4th Commandment.
Here are the resources mentioned in the podcast episode:
https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLyt5dnk2c3IzP2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
https://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Sabbath-Christopher-John-Donato/dp/0805448217/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19KC19UZRV28D&keywords=4+perspectives+on+the+sabbath&qid=1705434898&sprefix=4+perspectives+on+the+sabbath%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1
Last week, we talked about making 2024 a great year, this episode will give you a practical way to make your day better as you seek to walk with the Lord.
As we enter a new year, many of us are thinking about resolutions and ways to improve our lives. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? How can we make 2024 a great year?
In the final episode of our series on emotions, we take a look at joy. How can we possibly obey the command to "rejoice always" when we don't 'feel like' rejoicing?
We continue our series walking through emotions from a Biblical perspective by talking about sadness and grief. How should we walk through these difficult emotions?
Let's take a biblical look at anger: where it comes from, what is the difference between righteous and sinful anger, how to fight sinful anger, and more.
Continuing our series where we are looking at a Biblical view of emotions - we are looking at fear in this episode.
This is the first episode in a series where we examine some of our emotions with a biblical lens. This is an overall view of what the Bible says about our emotions.
All of us go through trials in this life. Does the Lord promise to always rescue us from those? How should we think about handling the suffering that comes our way in this life?
Kenny tackles listener questions from the following sermon - https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLys0OWI5cDZ6P2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
Kenny tackles listener questions from the following sermon: https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLytwemJwcms0P2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
Kenny tackles some listener questions based on the following sermon - https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLytrZHk5ajR5P2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
Here's a link to Rosaria Butterfield's book - https://www.crossway.org/books/five-lies-of-our-anti-christian-age-hcj/
In this episode, I answer listener questions from my sermon this past Sunday on homosexuality. You can find the full sermon here - https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch?sapurl=LytoeTJ6L2xiL21pLytjd3c2MjYzP2VtYmVkPXRydWUmcmVjZW50Um91dGU9YXBwLndlYi1hcHAubGlicmFyeS5saXN0JnJlY2VudFJvdXRlU2x1Zz0lMkI1cWM1ajN6
This episode is part of a series of Q&A podcasts based on a sermon series at MissionWay church titled: "Did God Really Say?" You can view all the sermons in that series here: https://www.missionwaychurch.org/watch
It has been a few months since our last episode and it's so good to be back. In this episode, Kenny briefly explains his absence and what to expect in the coming weeks on the podcast.
In this episode, we talk about how we can think rightly about the spiritual battles all around us without either thinking the Devil is to blame for everything or without disregarding the spiritual realities in our world.
In this episode, we answer a listener question: What does the church do to help its people live out 1 John 5:21 in regards to the culture battles of our day?
Here's a link to the sermon I mentioned in the episode: https://subsplash.com/missionwaychurch/media/mi/+csjmbsm
Would you rather have a leader who is always real or one who is always right? Would you rather be someone who is always real? Or someone who always pursues holiness? Let's talk about the danger of focusing too heavily on authenticity and transparency.
It might seem weird to have an episode on productivity on a Christian podcast, but could it be that God actually wants us to be productive? What does it mean to be productive from a biblical perspective and how can we actually be better at this? This episode seeks to be both biblical and practical in helping you get more things done.Resources mentioned in this article:Redeeming Productivity: Getting More Done for the Glory of God https://a.co/d/4TSuvGHRedeeming Your Time: 7 Biblical Principles for Being Purposeful, Present, and Wildly Productive https://a.co/d/hLkf5uBDo More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity https://a.co/d/iWyZpbWGetting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity https://a.co/d/0tLOSPl
It's an uncomfortable and painful reality to face, but death is inevitable for all of us. While we know that to be true, we try not to think about it until we have to. But what if contemplating death will actually help us gain wisdom and be better followers of Jesus? Let's talk about it.
Most parents have said something like this at one time or another: "It's not like there's a book that tells you what to do or anything." I have said this myself, but is it true? Does that statement also apply to the Bible? Does the Bible help us follow Jesus, but not help us in our parenting?
Have you ever struggled to believe God really does love you? Ever thought His love must be less for you than for other Christians? This episode aims to encourage your heart to understand just how deep the Father's love for you goes. This is the final installment of our series talking through "A Gospel Primer."
Continuing our series alongside "A Gospel Primer," Kenny discusses the danger of self-love and how the Gospel frees us from it.
God's love for us was demonstrated on the cross for us, but how is God's love also demonstrated in His commands to us? How does the Gospel help us in our fight against sin on a daily basis?
The second episode in the series where we are moving through the book by Milton Vincent titled: "A Gospel Primer for Christians."
In this episode, Kenny discusses how the Gospel actually does give us the power to win our "everyday battles."
You can purchase the book here.
The first of many episodes moving through the book by Milton Vincent titled: "A Gospel Primer for Christians."
In this episode, Kenny discusses the importance of preaching the Gospel to yourself and ends with a challenge to everyone listening.
You can purchase the book here.
Time spent with your family in God's Word, prayer, and worship is one of the most important weapons we have in fighting the culture wars of our time. There are not many better ways to bring our children up to be a force for the Kingdom of God. In this episode we discuss what family worship is, why is matters, common excuses for not doing it, and some practical ways to begin implementing it in your home.
James gives us a blueprint to run through in order to know if we are being informed by godly wisdom. Are you thinking with worldly or godly wisdom?
Many people who are not believers in Christ view those of us following Jesus as if we are in bondage. But the Bible is clear that sin is true bondage and to be in Christ is to be truly free.
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a very familiar passage for good reason. Are you really walking in what it says?
Do you attend a local church but don't serve there? Here's what the Bible has to say about that.
Kenny shares some practical thoughts on how you can find more authentic community in your church. If you're feeling left out or like you're not really connected to your church, this is an important episode for you.
Before we begin to offer worship to God, Solomon has some wise words for us to adhere to. Before we think about serving the Lord in ministry, we should be sure that our hearts are offering passionate worship to Him.
What are Christians ultimately called to do? This episode breaks down the mission statement of MissionWay Church, but is a call to all believers to do what Jesus called us to in the Great Commission.
As a husband or wife, what is your job in the marriage? What are you called to do? Paul tells us this in Ephesians 5 and although it's not all popular in our culture, it's biblical and important for us to know. I hope this is a practical episode that you can begin applying to your marriage right away.
Every struggled with not "feeling saved?" Maybe you have days where you wake up and you just feel indifferent toward the things of the Lord. How do we handle life when our feelings don't seem to match what we believe to be true? In this episode, I try to answer that question, and I also share something from my past that I hope helps you navigate this battle.
Should we all just love Jesus, believe the Gospel, and leave the other theology "stuff" to the pastors and professors? Do the 'secondary' theological issues matter for the single mom, college student, parent of high schoolers, etc?
How can we find contentment in a world that seems to be crumbling around us? With rising gas prices, inflation, and the overall status of the economy, it seems hard to find peace when it comes to our finances. How can we be content even in such difficult times? How can we be free from the love of money?
The month of June is known by many as "Pride Month." As Christians, we need to think biblically about not only what we should believe about these things but also how we should respond with love and truth. This episode will not cover everything that needs to be said - not even close! I will try, however, to provide a few things to think about in regards to how we should respond as Christians to our culture during Pride Month.
Over the past few weeks, I've had the opportunity to talk with some Mormon missionaries and I wanted to share some of the things the Lord has been teaching me through these conversations.
Paul tells us in Romans 8 that "those who are in the flesh cannot please God." He counsels us instead to walk by the Spirit. But how do we actually do that on a day-to-day basis? What does it mean to walk by the Spirit?
You can read the original article that this episode is based on here: https://www.missionwaychurch.org/blog/how-to-set-the-mind-on-the-spirit
In this episode, I welcome my wonderful, beautiful wife, Jenna to the podcast to talk about modesty. While this is a conversation often had with women in mind, this is one for men and women to consider. Jenna shares some wisdom and practical ways we can think about modesty from a biblical perspective. This one is definitely worth your time!
Have you ever looked around the culture and asked yourself "Am I the one who's going crazy?!" Sometimes it can feel like everyone around us is walking in darkness and we wonder if there will be anyone left standing on Truth when it's all said and done. Paul has encouragement for us in 2 Timothy 3 that we can cling to in these dark days.
In this special episode of Hold Fast, Pastor Keith Foskey joins Kenny as they discuss an image that was shared on Facebook recently regarding community and fellowship at church. What should you do if you don't feel connected to your local church body? Hear from two pastors who discuss how Christians can find deeper fellowship and community at their churches.
In this episode, we walk through Psalm 37 together to remind ourselves that no matter what may be happening to us or around us, the Lord will not forsake His people. He remains faithful, even when we are faithless.
This is a message that has brought me so much hope in times of trial and temptation, and I pray it does the same for you.
We live in a digital age where at any given time, we can listen to sermons, podcasts, interviews, etc. focused on Jesus and his Word. But should we spend more time-consuming content online or engaged with our church family? Should we listen to other pastors more than the pastor at our church? What about online church? Is that just as beneficial for our souls as physically gathering with the body?
Lead singer of the Christian rock band - Skillet - recently made headlines with his comments about deconstruction. Was he right in the things he said? How should we be thinking about this difficult topic?
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Read John Cooper's response to the backlash - https://churchleaders.com/news/417450-john-cooper-deconstruction.html/2
Often in Jesus' ministry, we see large crowds following after Him. While He always had compassion on them and often healed them while He taught, He never wavered on the Truth for the sake of appeasing the crowds. Jesus wasn't interested in the approval of men - He sought the approval of His Father above all things. Do we do the same?
I have a guest on the show today - Bradley Bennett is the pastor at City Church Bartram and he joins me to have a conversation about how God has shaped how we see ministry over the past few years. Whether you're a pastor or not, this episode gets deep into what the Church is supposed to look like and how we should function to reach our world for Christ. Hear from two guys who still have much to learn but who have gone through some pretty radical shifts in how we think about what it means to be a pastor.
Spiritual abuse is a reality that many people in the Church are facing and yet many don't even realize it or don't know what to do about it. In this episode, Kenny seeks to give us a starting point on how to think about this difficult and painful subject biblically. Rise and Fall of Mars Hill - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/ Cultish: Tactics of Manipulators - https://thecultishshow.com/podcast/tactics-of-manipulators
In the final part of this series, Kenny responds to an article that gained some popularity among Christians last year that claims to give 15 reasons why people are disillusioned with the Church. This episode responds to points 11-15. You can find the original article here:
https://churchplants.com/articles/21849-disillusioned-with-church.html
In part two of this episode, Kenny responds to an article that gained some popularity among Christians last year that claims to give 15 reasons why people are disillusioned with the Church. This episode responds to points 6-10. You can find the original article here:
https://churchplants.com/articles/21849-disillusioned-with-church.html
There's no doubt we live in a controversial age. Should Christians live their lives in such a way that we avoid controversy at all costs? How can we possibly shine the light and love of Christ by getting in the middle of the cultural arguments of our day?
In part one of this episode, Kenny responds to an article that gained some popularity among Christians last year that claims to give 15 reasons why people are disillusioned with the Church. This episode responds to points 1-5. You can find the original article here:
https://churchplants.com/articles/21849-disillusioned-with-church.html
Don't let the cheesy title fool you, this episode is dealing with a tough issue. We all feel the effects of inflation these days, but how should we respond to it all? How can we find hope in the midst of financial hopelessness?
The Christmas season is supposed to be filled with joy, lights, cheer, family, friends, parties, etc. right?! For many of us, the sting of grief is all too present during the holiday season. How do we cope with it? I hope to offer a small amount of encouragement if that's you, and also a challenge to the rest of us to reach out to those who are grieving.
Have you ever heard someone take 30-60 seconds on Tik-Tok (or anywhere for that matter) and try to refute the teachings of Christianity? What are the dangers of that and how should we respond?
Is there a way to test yourself to see if you are truly in the faith? This episode isn't intended to cause anyone to doubt their salvation, but instead to examine yourselves to see if you are truly in the faith.
Did you grow up singing hymns in church? Then this episode is for you because Kenny read the lyrics from a well-known hymn and encourages us with the words from that hymn and the Scripture passage it's based on. Let's talk about how our God is a mighty fortress.
How can we have peace in the current times? How do we fight against all the evil and chaos of the headlines? How do we keep our hearts from becoming fearful and discouraged? How do we fight the headlines?
Nate joins me for this episode of Hold Fast where we talk about our spiritual diet. Where are you getting your spiritual nourishment from? What sermons, music, books, etc. are you consuming? Are they biblical? How do we choose solid content? We are encouraging you to make sure your soul is well fed.
In a world where information is at our fingertips and there seems to be an 'expert' around every corner, where do we turn when things go wrong? How do we find help for our anxieties, fears, and struggles? Is it really a good enough answer to say, "Read your Bible more?"
Check out "The Pastor as Counselor" by David Powlison
This episode is not just for parents - it's for anyone who is wondering what they want most in life. It's for the person who wonders what it means to pursue success in life. And yes, it's for the parent wondering what they should be wanting most for their kids.
In this special edition of Hold Fast, I want to spend a few minutes sharing my heart with fellow pastors. If you're not a pastor, listen in to know how you can better encourage your pastor in these trying times. In this episode I share what God has been teaching me in ministry these past 2 and a half years and the truths that I have been reminding myself of so that I may not grow discouraged and disheartened in ministry.
The truth is that there are some sins that have gained more tolerance in Christian circles over the years. We can't cover all of them in one episode, but Paul covers several of them in Ephesians 5.
If you're facing a tough decision or difficult circumstance, you may be wishing that you could hear from the Lord right now. How does God speak to us? Does He still speak at all? Here's a short answer to those questions.
Singing is something that some people are better at than others for sure. But it is also something that Scripture commands us to do. Many of us would do well to pay attention to why Paul told the Ephesians to "sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord." It's also a way that we encourage one another.
It's a really hard thing to talk about. Does that mean we should avoid talking about it unless we have to? Can we find hope in the conversation about death? How can we encourage those around us who are facing it? How can we face our own death? The Bible shows us how we can stare death in the face and have hope, peace, joy, and life despite the grief.
How are we to have hope in a world that seems full of hopelessness? How are we to hold fast to God when there doesn't seem to be anything to hold on to? How can we continue to trust the Lord when we have no idea what in the world is going on? In this episode we dive into a verse in Ecclesiastes that shows us where we can ground our hope in times like these.
We all feel the tension around us. Friends, families, neighbors, coworkers, etc. are all dividing over issues about health, government, and even theology. So how can we pursue unity in the midst of such a divisive generation? Let's talk as we take a look at Ephesians 4:1-6 and hear Paul's encouragement to be "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit."
Have you ever observed the lives of unbelievers and thought they have it better than you? Have you ever asked yourself if it's really worth following Jesus because it seems like those who don't have a better life? So did Asaph. Let's dive into Psalm 73 together and find truths to help us fight these doubts.
Fear is an emotion that can show up in a moment and completely take over our lives. So how do we fight against it?
We all have days when we wonder if God really loves us and if He truly forgives all our sin. For the believer, there are few truths as sweet as the forgiveness of Jesus. There are days when it honestly almost seems too good to be true. So spend a few minutes and listen to the beauty of the Gospel of your forgiveness in Christ.
Where do you go to unwind? Many of us enjoy watching a show, taking a walk, having a bowl of ice-cream, etc. Those things are good gifts and can have their place, but where do you go to spiritually rest and unwind? Take a few minutes from the hustle and bustle to dive into a well-known Psalm and find some spiritual rest in the Word today.
If you find yourself drifting from Jesus and His people, this is a plea for you. If you know someone that is walking away, then let this be an encouragement to you to go and talk with them.
The Bible speaks to our conduct before a lost world, and it also speaks to how the world will respond to and treat us for the way we live and the message we proclaim. The question is: can we make Christianity attractive to unbelievers? Here's a short response to that.
If someone asked you right now what the Gospel is, would you be able to give a full and accurate answer? Many Christians are intimidated to share their faith because of a lack of confidence in being able to explain the Gospel. In this episode, Kenny shares a popular and easy-to-remember outline on how you can do this. We are all called to share the Gospel and make disciples, are you ready to do that?
1 Corinthians 13 is often read at wedding ceremonies - which is a great thing. However, Paul wrote these words first for Christians to know how to love one another. We all would agree that love is important, but we often fail to do so. Let's spend a few minutes looking at what it means to love one another.
We all probably have an opinion about self-care. For the Christian, is self-care important? Aren't we just called to be selfless and be spent for the sake of Christ? Should we be concerned about taking care of ourselves?
Are we called to follow our dreams? This is something that is taught to us by culture and even pastors. Is it actually biblical?
We always seem to think that love and truth are like oil and water - they don't mix. According to the Bible, they must mix together in our lives and speech. So how can I have a difficult conversation with someone in truth and love?
Pornography is a battle that almost every man, and even many women, have struggled with or are currently struggling with. How do we find freedom from it? Is that even possible? This episode is a good starting point if you've ever wondered how you can be free or if you're trying to help someone you know who is battling with this.
This episode takes on a more personal, heartfelt feel than others on the podcast. This is something that has been burdening my heart so much lately and I felt like I couldn't not talk about it on the podcast. I pray this is an encouragement no matter where you find yourself in relation to this conversation.
Many believers have a view of grace that limits it to forgiveness of sin. While that is an amazing aspect of it, the Grace of God is so much more than that. It is God's grace that not only forgives, but gives us what we need to live as those who have truly been forgiven.
Legalism is a term that gets thrown around an awful lot in Christian circles. But what exactly is legalism, and how can I be sure that I'm not one? How can I genuinely seek to obey the Lord without crossing the line into legalism?
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This is my first video-based episode of the podcast. Here's a link to the YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZj8jjWs8t5Eh7N775GlVKw
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I also am a part of another podcast that dives deep into theology from a Reformed perspective. Check that out here https://cowfordcatechism.buzzsprout.com
A listener submitted a question: "What does it mean to be a believer who lives in a country under the judgment of God?" It's a very sensitive and difficult subject to tackle, but I wanted to offer some initial thoughts from Scripture to help us think through how we should think about this issue and live as a result.
Living in a culture that is drifting further and further away from biblical values is difficult. It would be tempting to try to "change" our beliefs in order to be more accepted, or even in order to try and reach more people. But should we do that? How important is it that we hold fast to the more culturally unacceptable teachings of the Bible?
Professing christians all around us seem to be deconstructing their faith. Most of us probably know someone who has been calling to question the fundamental doctrines of Christianity or has walked away from the faith entirely. How do we guard ourselves from this?
What does it mean to truly love one another and be a part of a community of believers? Many Christians would probably admit that gathering together is important, but is being a member of the body of Christ, simply a matter of being in the same room on Sundays? Is there much difference between Christian friendships and worldly friendships? In this episode, we dive into some of the major distinctions of true biblical community and why it's so important for us.
Today's episode features a special guest: Nate O'Brien. Recently, several well-known Christian pastors and leaders have had public, moral failings. This causes much anger, sadness, confusion, and other emotions to arise within us - especially if we followed their ministries. How should we think about and respond to it when leaders fail?
Ever given or been given a half-hearted apology? It seems many of us struggle with understanding the difference between repentance and worldly grief over sin. It doesn't take much to be grieved over sin, but is that where true repentance ends? What does it mean to extend grace to someone who has sinned? In this episode, we seek to answer these questions by hearing from Paul and David.
When facing culture, fear, anxiety, doubt, sin, etc, how do we fight those battles? Paul's answer was the armor of God. But what is that armor and how do we use it? That's what this episode seeks to dive into.
Don't put it down until you have listened to this episode of course :)
Let's face it, many of us are addicted to our phones and are experiencing the negative effects of it. Social media and technology, in general, have a grip on us that we often can't seem to shake. Let's talk about it and talk about what we need to do to fight against it.
With everything that's going on in our world, many of us are overwhelmed to some degree. Many of us are fearful, anxious, angry, tired, etc. Even more than that, many of us have grown weary of praying about it all and are beginning to wonder what God is doing. This episode seeks to encourage anyone dealing with those feelings or even anyone who simply has "COVID burnout."
"The days are long, but the years are short." As a parent, you've probably both heard and used that phrase yourself. Parenting is a major blessing, but it's also one of the hardest things you'll ever be called to do. How can we change our perspectives with the truth of God's Word to parent the way He has called us to so that we can parent with joy, mercy, and grace?
As followers of Jesus, we often find ourselves working for things that have no eternal significance. Or we fall into the lie that it is our work for God that will ultimately matter. In both of these instances, we have a problem with where we are getting our identity and significance. Many of us are worn out with life because we don't remember the call of Jesus to rest in Him and find our value in Him alone. In this episode, we look at Jesus' words in John 6 to fight against those temptations.
All of us have things in our lives that we feel guilty about as we seek to follow Christ. Whether it's parenting, marriage, work, our daily devotions, or anything else in between, we often come up short in what God has called us to. How do we move forward? Maybe instead of guilt, you've been feeling pretty good about how you've been living and maybe there's a little bit of pride there. How should we check our hearts in that? In this episode, we will dive into Paul's words to those of us in either of those places.