The Blessed Life: Recent Episodes
New Life Lutheran Church-Sterling, IL
The discipleship podcast from New Life Lutheran Church in Sterling Illinois. Explore how God blesses us in Christ to live in the power of the Holy Spirit and the promises of God by the Word of God.
Pastor Erik finishes our series on discipleship by exploring ways we find our purpose in Christ.
When filled by the Spirit, not only is the mind renewed by Scripture and Prayer, but the lives of those filled with the Spirit is transformed as well.
Pastor Erik continues exploring the book of Colossians and how God blesses us in Christ. This week focuses on discipline as a blessing and the struggle every Christian enters into and how to struggle through prayer and Scripture.
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Pastor Erik continues teaching on Colossians by focusing on one of the fruit of discipleship: Confidence.
Pastor Erik explores the Letter to the Colossians further by examining how Paul describes the Church and discipleship as a group of people in which Christ's Word dwells and who grow by walking in God's promises.
Download the New Life Lutheran app in the App Store or Google Play Store!
Pastor Erik kicks off our new format with a teaching on Discipleship from the Letter of Colossians, found in the New Testament. Use this resource in your personal devotions, and walk in the promises of Christ!
Reflection Questions begin at 35:15
Pastor Erik and guest Dan Jeffery finish their series on Christian Manhood with a conversation about work, the community, and friendship.
Pastor Erik and Dan continue their conversation on Christian manhood and discuss fatherhood and mentorship.
Pastor Erik is joined again by Dany Jeffery as they discuss growing up into manhood, what it means to be a boy, and how boys change into men.
Pastor Erik kicks off season 3 with a new series on Christian Manhood. Join Pastor Erik and special guest Dan Jeffery as they discuss what makes a man, and how men can reflect God's grace in the world.
Dan Jeffery is a mortgage loan officer in Denver, CO. He is the husband of Taylor and father of two children. His passion is to see men be all they can be in Christ, and grow in service and love to their community, family, and world.
Pastor Erik gives a devotional for the second week of Christmas.
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Pastor Erik gives a devotional for the first week of Christmas.
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Pastor Erik gives a devotional for the Fourth week of Advent.
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Pastor Erik gives a devotional for the third week of Advent.
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Welcome to our Advent Devotional Series! In this podcast series, we are taking 6 weeks to explore Advent and Christmas and the main themes of the Advent season. Check out the devotionals on the New Life Lutheran App!
Pastor Erik, Pastor Ben, and Tim sit down and discuss politics and faith. NOTICE: this episode was record on Tuesday, election day, and does not reflect any news or updates that came out since Tuesday morning. NOTICE NOTICE: all opinions on this episode are those of the speaker, and do not reflect New Life as an organization, or reveal anything more than what is plainly stated. Please don't read into any comments Tim, Erik, or Ben make.
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Pastor Erik are back in the office to discuss this big topic: How does God judge us?
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Tim, Pastor Ben, and Pastor Erik discuss this Sunday's sermon and discuss some of the implications of Predestination and Free Will!
Erik, Ben, and Tim discuss the end of the world and the book of Revelation and explore the question "What will the end of the world be like?"
Strategies for Reading Revelation Chart
This chart was created by the Bible Project for their series, "Apocalyptic Literature." Check them out here.
On this very light hearted and not at all heavy episode, Ben, Tim, and Erik come to you from a hotel room somewhere in the wild northwoods of Minnesota for this very special episode about heaven and hell, and what happens after we die.
Welcome to part two of Candid Conversations! In this episode Pastor Erik, Tim, and Pastor Ben discuss the Devil, his power, and how he acts in our lives. They even get to the topic of Halloween, in honor of the first day of October.
Happy October!
Pastor Erik is joined by Pastor Jason Palmer and Pastor Ryan Massey as they discuss the Gospel. Thanks for listening to our "What is the Gospel?" series, we hope you were uplifted, challenged, and inspired!
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Erik, Daniel, and Paul continue their conversation about the Gospel and what kind of God saves people in such a strange manner.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Pastor Erik, Dan, and Paul discuss how our views of God are shaped by our understanding of the Gospel. Is God a man with a big white beard sitting on a cloud? Is he a judge who needs to punish? Is he a Father, who wants to love his children? How we understand the Gospel impacts what we believe about God.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
In which Pastor Erik, Daniel, and Paul discuss the cultural implications of the Gospel and the hope of the Gospel.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
In this episode, Pastor Erik, Daniel, and Paul discuss the political implications of the Gospel (don't worry, it doesn't get too political!).
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
In this episode, Pastor Erik, Daniel, and Paul discuss the implications of Good News.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
In this episode, Pastor Erik, Daniel, and Paul continue discussing the Gospel and how we can distort the good news.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
In this episode, Pastor Erik, Daniel, and Paul continue discussing the Gospel and, specifically, how the Gospel is Foolishness, Scandalous, and Good.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
In this episode, Pastor Erik, Daniel, and Paul continue discussing the Gospel and, specifically, how people respond to the Gospel in the First Century and in our world today.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of the New Life Lutheran Podcast! In this episode, Pastor Erik, Daniel Hintz, and Paul Wells begin their conversation, "What is the Gospel?" with a conversation about chapter 1 of "Simply Good News" by N.T. Wright. They discuss the difference between news and advice, and what the next 8 episode has in store for the listeners!
You can buy Simply Good News here
Check out the Jesus Storybook Bible here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Welcome to Season 2 of the New Life Lutheran Podcast! In this episode, Pastor Erik introduces Season 2 and the various topics covered, and is joined by his guest, Daniel Hintz and introduces the first series of this season: What is the Gospel.
You can buy Simply Good News here
Theme music for Season 2 is Rude Boy Rock by Dread Pirate Roberts. Used under creative common license here. Each episode in Season 2 uses Rude Boy Rock as an opening and closing theme.
Join Pastor Erik and his guest, Bishop Ryan Mackey, for the final episode in our series on Prayer. They discuss their personal prayer lives and ways to deepen prayer.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik continue their series, Lent Prayer, with a conversation about deepening our prayer lives.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik are joined by Pastor Jason and Pastor Myles from Harvest Time Bible Church as they discuss their church's response to the COVID-19 crisis and how to love each other well during this time.
Pastor Ben, Pastor Erik, and Pastor Phil discuss how to learn to pray and what to expect from prayer.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik continue their discussion on the Biblical foundation for prayer.
Pastor Ben, Pastor Phil, and Pastor Erik begin a new series on prayer and the Christian life.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik finish our two-part series on Lent with a conversation about practices of Lent and how to engage the Lent season well.
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As we head into the Lent season, Pastor Erik and Pastor Ben sit down to discuss where Lent comes from and why it has benefit for Christians today.
Enjoy our podcast? Check out our website at nllutheran.com, where you can watch videos of past sermons, watch our live stream every Sunday, and find information about our ministries here at New Life.
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Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik finish our Life Group series with a walkthrough of a typical Life Group meeting.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the last element of Life Groups, Encouraged Calling: how we as Christians share our faith and work for the good of our neighbors, and how Life Groups help us do this better.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss "Faithful Living" – how we live with God and experience him in our lives.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss how Life Groups can do "Intentional Caring" by walking through the Intentional Caring Checklist, a resource for Life Groups.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss how to do Life Sharing in the Life Group. How to ask good questions and how to guide conversations.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the Bible, and it's role in the life of the Life Group Leader and the Life Group.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss how God transforms people and how members can help each other experience transformation in the Life Group setting.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik begin a new podcast series on Leading Life Groups. They discuss the Life Group Leader, getting started, and the goal of Life Groups.
Pastor Erik spends time discussing what the Bible is, what the story the Bible is telling, and some tools to get started with reading the Bible.
Resources
The Common English Study Bible: click here
Lutheran Study Bible: click here
Concordia Self Study Bible: click here
NIV Study Bible: click here
NIV Compact Bible Commentary: click here
Pastor Erik provides a simple way to read Scripture, and begins our series on personal Scripture reading.
Find Pastor Erik's reading plan here
or copy this link
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8xw6xl2q6qegfsb/AACfVxYG9aQKABa8MATJTls3a?dl=0
Erik sits down with Pastor Phil Gronbach, Teaching Pastor at New Life Lutheran Church, to his experience with prayer.
Pastor Erik hosts Bishop Ryan Mackey of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches to talk about prayer and his personal experience of praying.
Pastor Erik discusses how to pray and provides a simple way to pray in the morning and evening.
Pastor Erik sits down with his wife, Sara, to discuss how they approach family devotions and faith formation in their family.
Pastor Erik talks with Pastor Jason and Abigail Palmer of Emporia Kansas about Family Devotions.
Pastor Erik sits down with Glenn and Wendy Lorenz, missionaries to Costa Rica and parents of four children, to discuss family devotions and raising Christians.
Pastor Erik chats with two couples from New Life Lutheran Church about their families, family devotions, and raising Christians.
Pastor Erik welcomes Pastor Jason Palmer of Hope Free Methodist in Emporia, KS to talk about the history of daily prayer, and how we can better engage in prayer in our spiritual lives.
Pastor Erik and Pastor Ben continue their conversation on Encouraged Calling and Life Groups.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the E in the acronym L.I.F.E., which guides New Life Lutheran's Life Groups. Encouraged Calling is all about spurring one another on to love and good deeds for the sake of you neighbor. Give a listen, be challenged, and love God!
Pastor Phil and Pastor Erik discuss how Life Groups provide a space for Christians to encourage growth and help each other flourish in the Christian Life.
Pastors Ben, Erik, and Phil discuss Life Groups and how groups can intentionally care for one another.
Pastor Ben, Pastor Erik, and Pastor Phil discuss the importance of life sharing and the small group experience. They further explore Lutheran discipleship, the "consolation of the brethren," and how transformation happens.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the small group experience at New Life, called Life Groups, and discuss their approach to discipleship.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik tackle several hard questions from the congregation at New Life including wealth, Judaism, homosexuality, and the problem of evil.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik address questions surrounding the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the next part of New Life Lutheran's strategy: the Table. Pastor Erik walks us through what it means to meet at the Table, the historical precedence for small groups. And how New Life organizes Table life.
Music: Biocratic, Handsome People
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik finish their discussion on The Row: the large group gathering. In this episode they discuss the Benediction and the Dismissal. Music: Biocratic, Handsome People.
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Pastor Erik discuss Communion: the practice of Communion at New Life Lutheran, and some of the complexities of different beliefs about communion. Music: Handsome People, Biocratic
Tim, Pastor Ben, and Pastor Erik discuss Communion: the Biblical witness, theological thought, and history behind the Sacrament. Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss prayer in the worship service and the Lord's Prayer.
Music: DJ Quads, So Proud
Pastor Erik and Bishop Ryan Mackey continue their conversation on worship in the church. Addressing the historic shape of Christianity and engaging with Holy Communion.
Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Pastor Erik reflects on Holy Week and the Three Days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
Pastor Erik, Ben, and Tim discuss the Creeds, their use in the service and their importance in the life of the believer.
Music: DJ Quads, So Proud
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the Sermon during the worship service. What it is, why we do it, and the use of the Law and the Gospel in the proclamation of Scripture.
Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Erik continues his conversation with Bishop Ryan Mackey of the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches. They discuss music, order of worship, and how to engage in worship better.
Music: DJ Quads, So Proud
Pastor Erik interviews Bishop Ryan Mackey, professor of Music and Music Technology at Central Christian College of Kansas and Bishop in the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches.
Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Pastor Ben and Pastor Erik discuss the public reading of Scripture in the Divine Service, the Revised Common Lectionary, and the call of pastors to do creative work in leading their congregations.
Music: So Proud, by DJ Quads
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Erik continue their discussion on the Row: the large group gathering, walk through the worship services here at New Life, and discuss Confession and Forgiveness.
Music: So Proud, by DJ Quads
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Pastor Erik discuss the strategy of New Life in the Row: the large group, weekend gathering: focusing on what worship is, and how we do it at New Life.
Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Pastor Erik discuss the strategy for ministry at New Life Lutheran and the ways that the Spirit transforms us.
Music: So Proud, by DJ Quads
Pastor Erik finishes the conversation about New Year's Resolutions. Check out the Read Scripture App at www.readscripture.org.
Music: So Proud by DJ Quads
Tim, Ben, and Erik discuss New Year's Resolutions and good Christian habits to start in 2019.
Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Erik, Tim, and Ben continue to discuss the Scriptures and how to read, meditate, and be transformed by them.
Music: So Proud, DJ Quads
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Pastor Erik discuss the Bible: its role in the Christian life, what it is, and how it works.
Pastor Ben, Tim, and Pastor Erik discuss questions that they have received. This Q&A format will be revisited every couple of months, so if you have any questions email Pastor Erik at erik.anderson@nllutheran.com!
Erik, Ben, and Tim finish their conversation on life together and some of the challenges of organizing life together as Christians.
Erik, Ben, and Tim continue their conversation about life together and healthy practices of community.
Join Pastor Ben, Pastor Erik, and Tim as they discuss life together as Christians and explore healthy community and outreach.