Zach Peters' Podcast: Recent Episodes
Zach Peters
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We pause our Philippians series to reset our prayer life around the Lord’s Prayer and the heart posture Jesus teaches before we ask for anything. We focus on praying with reverence, surrender, contentment, forgiveness, and real dependence on our Heavenly Father.
• praying with right motives rather than seeking attention
• rejecting empty repetition because God is already listening
• using the Lord’s Prayer as a structure, not a script
• relating to God as Abba Father while honoring his holiness
• beginning petitions with God’s kingdom and God’s will
• asking for daily bread as a practice of contentment and dependence
• seeking forgiveness for our sins before judging others
• extending forgiveness with wisdom and healthy boundaries
• praying for protection from temptation and the evil one
We’re going into 21 days of prayer, so “when you write down a prayer request on here, it’s not just flippant.”
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We wrestle with the gap between knowing what God says and actually living it, and we admit how easy it is to settle for information without obedience. Philippians 2:25-30 confronts that drift by spotlighting Timothy and Epaphroditus as living proof that the gospel is meant to be practiced, not just professed.
• the human habit of knowing the right thing and doing the opposite
• grace, mercy, and the Holy Spirit as the only real hope for change
• why Christian community matters for learning faithful patterns
• Paul sending Epaphroditus and why this section matters mid-letter
• Epaphroditus as brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, minister
• honoring sacrificial service instead of chasing status or comfort
• church problems that separate belief from behavior, including legalism and arrogance
• the hard call to say yes and live with total surrender to Christ
• surrendering identity and self-made plans to gain lasting joy and peace in Christ
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We slow down in Philippians 2:19–24 and find a blueprint for trust when plans feel uncertain, especially through Paul’s repeated phrase “I hope in the Lord.” We also look at Timothy as a living example of servant leadership, spiritual parenting, and the wisdom of waiting until character is proven.
• Paul’s plans held with open hands before God
• “Hope in the Lord” as trust and submission
• testing our dreams, motives, and timing in prayer
• Timothy’s proven character as a model of service
• the impact of Timothy’s mother and grandmother on his faith
• spiritual fatherhood and motherhood as intentional discipleship
• qualifications and order for leadership in the local church
• why rushing new believers into responsibility can cause harm
• patience as “tempering” that makes leaders durable
Trust in God this morning.
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We challenge the kind of grumbling and complaining that fractures a church and makes our mission harder than it needs to be. We walk through Philippians 2:12-18 to show how fear and trembling, Spirit-empowered obedience, and truth-shaped unity help us shine as lights.
• grumbling and disputing as a direct threat to unity and mission
• Paul’s “my beloved” tone and his pastoral urgency for obedience
• working out salvation with fear and trembling as a lifestyle, not a moment
• why “once saved, always saved” becomes dangerous when it excuses bad fruit
• God working in us as both comfort and empowerment for real change
• Israel’s wilderness complaints as a warning and a mirror for the church
• Jesus’ prayer for oneness and how unity makes the gospel credible
• the difference between superficial unity and unity aligned with Scripture
• why the church must avoid giving the world easy ammunition
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We walk through Philippians 2:5–11 to see why the incarnation is central to Christian faith and why Jesus is the perfect model of humility. We connect Christ’s self-emptying to real church unity and the daily practice of turning belief into action.
• context for Philippi: external pressure and internal disunity
• living worthy of the gospel through humility and service
• why the incarnation matters and where groups go wrong on it
• how Philippians 2 functions like a hymn for remembering truth
• avoiding pedantic debates while keeping solid doctrine
• attitude reinforced by action, not just knowledge
• “form of God” and “form of a servant” explained in plain terms
• the cross as the lowest death and the deepest humility
• “therefore also” as the link between humility and exaltation
• Jesus revealed as Lord and every knee bowing
• imitating Christ in conflict by practicing WWJD
• putting on Christ so the church can be salt and light
• serving as everyday ministry that reaches where preaching cannot
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We open Philippians 2:1-4 and name the real threat behind so much church conflict: selfish ambition that breaks unity from the inside. We lay out practical tools for humility and service so our church becomes a place where everyone is cared for because everyone shows up ready to serve.
• Paul’s call to one mind through humility
• refusing gossip, grumbling, and uncharitable talk
• grounding humility in grace, not spiritual status
• listening patiently as an active act of love
• serving others even when it interrupts our plans
• bearing burdens, protecting freedom, forgiving misuse
• sharing Scripture and wise words for strength
• using authority as quiet service, not spotlight
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We open Philippians 2:1-4 and face the internal pressures that can quietly tear a church apart even when outside pressure is high. We call ourselves to Spirit-shaped humility that treats others as significant so our unity becomes worship and our mission stays clear.
• connecting Philippians 1 and 2 through Paul’s “therefore”
• unity as a gospel-worthy way of life
• disunity as an internal pressure that undermines the church
• real-world church conflict and how small issues escalate
• Paul’s blunt command against selfish ambition and conceit
• humility as making others a true priority
• balancing our interests with care for others
• rejecting consumer Christianity in favor of mutual service
• unity as kingdom work empowered by the Holy Spirit
• closing prayer for humility, love, and a unified church
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We walk through Philippians 1:27-30 and hear Paul’s blunt call to live in a way that matches the gospel when opposition and pressure rise. We wrestle with citizenship, culture, unity, and the difference between petty church fights and the real spiritual conflict Christians face.
• Paul’s pivot from his own suffering to the church’s responsibility
• “Worthy of the gospel” as alignment not perfection
• Citizenship language in Philippi and why it matters
• Allegiance to the Kingdom of God above national identity
• Old Testament foundations for Christian ethics and discipleship
• Grace that forgives and grace that transforms
• Sorting culture into neutral, harmful, and good gifts to steward
• Patriotism as a good thing that can become an idol
• Real enemies as spiritual powers not people in the pews
• Victory redefined by the cross and lived with confidence
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Paul’s joy in Philippians 1:19-20 turns on one word, through, pointing to prayer and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ as the path to courage and deliverance. We talk honestly about why believers still need a fresh supply of the Holy Spirit, how to seek it responsibly, and why Spirit power is meant to serve the gospel instead of our egos.
• reading Philippians 1:18-20 and tracing Paul’s undefeated posture
• connecting deliverance to the prayers of the church and the Spirit’s help
• clarifying the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work in believers and in the world
• asking why Paul seeks a “supply” if he already has the Spirit
• distinguishing indwelling presence from momentary empowerment
• walking through New Testament examples of being filled for boldness
• sharing personal moments of grief, fear, and preaching where the Spirit sustains
• setting guardrails: the Spirit never contradicts Scripture
• addressing abuse and skepticism without throwing away the gift
• discussing speaking in tongues and Paul’s command not to forbid it
• keeping the purpose central: the Spirit empowers gospel advance and builds the church
Just ask for it.
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We dig into Philippians 1:19-20 and why Paul ties his courage and deliverance to the prayers of the church and the help of the Holy Spirit. We define prayer simply, wrestle with God’s sovereignty and our petitions, and leave with practical ways to pray for others when trials hit.
• Paul’s joy and confidence while facing real suffering
• Why Paul asks churches to pray for him consistently
• Prayer as conversation with God that stays simple
• Why God commands prayer even though he knows all
• Intercessory prayer and God’s sovereignty working together
• “Your will be done” as the guardrail for every request
• Biblical examples of prayer leading to boldness and healing
• A family story of timely prayer during crisis
• Practical prayers for others including temptation and deliverance
Pray. Be a praying people.
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We trace Paul’s deep, steady joy in Philippians 1:18–26 and ask why the gospel creates happiness that material success cannot sustain. We also wrestle with “to live is Christ, to die is gain” and let Jesus reframe how we think about work, community, and death itself.
• Paul’s joy is anchored in Christ being proclaimed
• The limits of the material pursuit of happiness
• A framework for lasting Christian joy through the gospel and eternal life
• “To Live Is Christ” as a practical way to live
• “To Die Is Gain” as hope without fatalism
• Why we need church community and real examples to emulate
• How different cultures and modern sayings cope with death
• Dependence on prayer and the Holy Spirit instead of self-effort
• Personal reflection on what defines our success and happiness
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We read Philippians 1:12–18 and learn why Paul sees prison as a platform for joy: the gospel keeps moving even when he cannot. We challenge ourselves to trade complaint for perspective and to practice a quiet, steady boldness that points people to Jesus in everyday trials.
• Paul’s personal letter and the unity and humility it aims to form
• Jim and Elizabeth Elliot as a picture of God bringing fruit from pain
• “Fettered liberty” as the tension of chains and spiritual freedom
• Paul’s surprising update that imprisonment advances the gospel
• Confidence and boldness are spreading through believers who watch Paul
• Mixed motives in preaching and why Paul still rejoices
• How comfort and material lack can both distract us from God’s work
• Quiet consistent boldness as daily discipleship rather than one dramatic moment
• Questions about what our kids, coworkers, and friends learn from our attitude
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We walk through Philippians 1:3-11 and hear Paul’s joy-filled confidence that God finishes what He starts in us. We challenge our own definition of love and ask whether our love is rooted in Scripture-shaped knowledge and real discernment.
• Paul’s gratitude and affection for the Philippian church
• Partnership in the gospel as a sign of grace at work
• Confidence that God completes His good work
• The day of Jesus Christ as future hope
• Right now but not yet as a framework for sanctification
• Agape love contrasted with culture’s definition of love
• Knowledge and discernment as safeguards for love
• Practical discernment in relationships and daily choices
• Two dangers for the church: love without truth and truth without love
• God’s inner work that also becomes outward witness
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We open Philippians by taking Paul’s first lines seriously and letting the history of Philippi explain why his greeting hits so hard. We track how grace produces peace, and how a servant mindset can dissolve status games that keep churches and families stuck.
• historical context of Philippi as a Roman colony shaped by order and loyalty
• major themes seeded early in Philippians, such as encouragement, joy, unity, humility, and imitation of Christ
• reading Philippians 1:1–11 with focus on the opening greeting
• Paul and Timothy described as dulios slaves of Jesus rather than chasing titles
• all saints addressed before leaders showing equality in Christ
• grace replacing a standard greeting and peace tied to shalom
• why grace must come before peace for lasting spiritual stability
• practical church praxis serving first to reduce conflict and consumer mindsets
• Jesus washing feet as the model of servant leadership
Pick up the gift of grace. Pick up the gift of peace in your life that exclusively comes from Jesus Christ. Walk out of this room strengthened by that grace and peace.
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We sit with the abrupt ending of Acts 28 and trace how Paul’s house arrest in Rome becomes a launchpad for bold, everyday gospel witness. We challenge ourselves to refuse antisemitism, refuse wasted waiting, and live like Acts is still being written through the church today.
• Paul’s arrival in Rome after shipwreck and delay
• House arrest as an unexpected mission field
• The repeated Acts pattern of preaching to Jews then Gentiles
• Why Luke emphasizes Jewish evangelism in the ending
• Isaiah’s warning about hardened hearts and spiritual hearing
• Paul’s ongoing hope for Israel in Romans 9–11
• Guarding our hearts against antisemitism in the church
• Reading the Old Testament as a unified story pointing to Jesus
• “Don’t waste the waiting” as a practical spiritual discipline
• Personal responsibility to share the gospel in everyday places
• Post-Christian culture and why younger generations are still open
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We walk through Acts 28 on Malta and trace how God’s faithfulness carries Paul from a storm to shore and turns a snakebite and a winter delay into a door for healing. We challenge ourselves to remember what God has already brought us through, work with a servant’s attitude, and pray boldly even when it feels awkward.
• Luke’s repeated “we” as eyewitness detail and a reason the account feels grounded and trustworthy
• God landing the shipwrecked crew in Malta and how providence can guide even when you feel lost
• Paul gathering sticks as a model of humility and willingness to work
• The viper bite and how doing good can still bring pain while God protects and uses it
• “Justice” as a pagan deity and how people misread events through their worldview
• Paul praying for Publius’ father and the ripple effect of healing across the island
• Remembering God’s faithfulness instead of normalizing blessings and fixating on one bad day
• Building a lifestyle of prayer, including praying for strangers and not giving in to embarrassment
• Seeing Christianity as personal and outward-facing, with everyday moments becoming chances for God’s glory to reach others
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We read Acts 27 and sit in the weight of a storm that does not stop, yet God still keeps every promise. We wrestle with what an answered prayer really looks like and why living like God is faithful can make people pay attention without us saying much at all.
• Paul’s voyage to Rome and the Acts 27 shipwreck story
• Why Luke’s detailed sea travel account is historically precise yet spiritually useful
• The centurion’s unexpected kindness and how God uses unlikely people
• God’s sovereignty in the storm and why the ship can break while people survive
• Redefining miracles and answered prayer as endurance through hardship
• How faith produces calm leadership that helps others get to shore
• Anxiety, control, and the nonstop “storm” broadcast of modern media
• The gap between knowing truth and letting truth shape daily life
• Why authenticity matters more than church polish for a spiritually hungry culture
• A personal reminder that faith matters most when life gets tested
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We follow Paul’s defense in Acts 26 and treat testimony as real proof of God’s faithfulness, not just a personal story. We challenge ourselves to respond to God’s call with repentance that changes daily life and stands up to the charge that Christian belief is irrational.
• Paul’s testimony as a model for our own story with God
• Responding to the Great Commission as a daily choice
• Repentance as immediate change plus ongoing obedience
• Rejecting cultural Christianity that stops at belief
• God providing tools to live what He commands
• Old Testament prophecy connecting Jesus to Scripture
• Why the resurrection is central to salvation
• Festus calling Paul crazy and Paul answering with reason
• Christianity as public, verifiable faith grounded in witnesses
• The challenge to perform deeds that match repentance
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We sit with Paul’s defense in Acts 26 and watch him answer the “you’re crazy” charge with a calm claim that the gospel is true, reasonable, and publicly knowable. We press on the heartbreak of “almost” faith and challenge ourselves to stop treating God’s word like a story and start living it with mission-level focus.
• Paul’s response to God’s call and the shared call to proclaim the gospel today
• The gospel rooted in Old Testament expectation and fulfilled in Jesus
• The resurrection as the central claim that forces a decision
• Festus calling Paul out of his mind and Paul answering with truth and reason
• Christianity as public, verifiable, not done in a corner
• The “almost” person who admires Jesus but stops short of surrender
• Comfort and homeostasis as reasons people resist a boat-rocking gospel
• Blessings sometimes masking our need for a Savior
• “Whether short or long” patience in evangelism and discipleship
• Living our testimony so others can see faith at work
Don’t be an almost person. Pray for faith if you’re struggling. And just believe.
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We trace Paul’s testimony from persecutor to preacher and explore how remembering our past fuels empathy without compromise. Stephen’s courage, the spread of the gospel under pressure, and the redemptive purpose of suffering lead us to a clear charge: be ready to share your story with hope.
• Paul’s past used to connect with accusers
• The gospel is unchanging, testimony as a unique vehicle
• Empathy that points to truth, not permission
• Early church persecution and scattering
• Stephen’s Spirit-filled wisdom resisting pressure
• Why costly faith signals real belief
• Suffering as a catalyst for growth
• God’s sovereignty working through pain
• Readiness to speak when prompted
• Prayer and persistence for loved ones
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We walk through Acts 26 as Paul addresses King Agrippa with a defense that keeps the gospel unaltered while adapting style to the room. We trace the promise from Abraham to Jesus, confront lazy skepticism and rising antisemitism, and call our church to carry one hope in many voices.
• Paul’s adaptive rhetoric before Agrippa
• Unchanging gospel, flexible delivery
• Pharisee background redeemed for mission
• Resurrection hope at the center of faith
• Promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob fulfilled in Jesus
• Christianity as reasonable and historically rooted
• Rejecting antisemitism while honoring Jewish roots
• Coaching the church to share uniquely
• Practical call to identify people and take action
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Paul’s trial before Festus becomes a masterclass in waiting with purpose, using wisdom without losing faith, and keeping the gospel central in both hardship and ease. We walk through Acts 25 to show how delay can be stewardship, not defeat.
• context of Acts 25 and Paul’s appeal to Caesar
• political pressure on Festus and legal strategy
• God’s control in confusing seasons
• using rights and systems for gospel impact
• not wasting the waiting in small places
• action over intention in spiritual growth
• mission over safety across Paul’s journeys
• staying gospel-focused in ease and abundance
• everyday spaces as fields for witness
• patient seed-planting and long-view faith
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Snow pushes us online as we open Acts 25 and settle on a single line that changes everything: Jesus was dead, and Paul says he is alive. We trace why the resurrection is the hinge of Christian faith and how that hope reshapes fear, mission, and everyday choices.
• Festus and Agrippa’s roles in Paul’s trial
• Verse 19 as the crux of the story
• Why Christianity collapses without the resurrection
• Modern attempts to tame or deny the empty tomb
• Hope that outlives death and fuels courage
• Freedom from materialism through eternal perspective
• Contrast with Epicurean and Stoic focus on the present
• Key scriptures that ground resurrection hope
• Labor in the Lord is not in vain
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We read Acts 25 and follow Festus, Agrippa, and Paul to the moment where everything hinges on one line: a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul asserts to be alive. We trace why the resurrection sits at the core of Christian faith and how it gives real hope for grief, aging, and everyday fear.
• Festus inherits Paul’s case and seeks Agrippa’s insight
• The charge narrows to the claim that Jesus is alive
• Early Christian belief centers on resurrection, not as a late idea
• Jewish expectation and the Messiah reframed by the empty tomb
• Modern doubt, hard hearts, and the need for God’s move
• Practical hope for death, grief, and getting older
• Prayer for our church to live with resurrection hope
God bless you guys. I love you. And I'll end it with a prayer for you guys and just pray wherever you are.
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We walk through the Lord’s Prayer as a living framework for real relationship with God, moving from intention and reverence to kingdom surrender, daily provision, forgiveness, and protection. The heart shifts from performance to presence and from control to trust.
• why intention and heart posture matter in prayer
• what Jesus forbids: attention seeking and empty phrases
• how “Our Father in heaven” holds closeness and awe
• why hallowing God’s name orders worship and honor
• putting God’s kingdom and will before personal requests
• learning contentment by asking for daily bread
• practicing forgiveness received and forgiveness given
• seeking protection from temptation and evil
• blending bold requests with surrendered trust
Let us be a praying church
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We walk through Matthew 5 to show how mercy and purity of heart shape a distinct, hopeful way to live. Mercy does not erase standards; purity is an inside-out work of the Spirit that steadies a faithful witness and stirs our deepest desire to see God.
• mercy as God’s gift that withholds judgment we deserve
• receiving mercy as the source of forgiving others
• standards held without contempt or legalism
• purity of heart as undivided loyalty to God
• inside-out transformation by the Holy Spirit
• holiness as missional distinctness, not isolation
• practical guardrails for habits, media, and motives
• longing to see God as the ultimate reward
• prayerful reset and accountability as next steps
“Let us be people of mercy and make us people with a pure heart.”
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We teach on Matthew 6:19–34 and the freedom that comes when we put God first. We name the anxiety trap, share how rejoicing becomes a choice, and offer practical steps to align priorities with the kingdom.
• rewards tied to heart posture in giving, prayer and fasting
• treasure in heaven reshapes value and focus
• you cannot serve God and money
• freedom from worry through trust in the Father
• birds and lilies as a picture of provision
• fasting as a lived declaration of priorities
• rejoicing and thanksgiving as tools against anxiety
• Paul’s prison perspective on peace and prayer
• practical habits to seek first the kingdom
“Help us all, Lord, to have the right attitude towards you”
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We unpack Jesus's challenging teaching about turning the other cheek and going beyond retaliation to radical generosity in Matthew 5:38-48 of the Sermon on the Mount.
• The "eye for an eye" principle was meant for civil justice systems, not personal revenge
• Jesus addresses misapplications of Old Testament law to individual relationships
• Four examples illustrate responding to wrongdoing with unexpected generosity
• Turning the other cheek doesn't mean accepting abuse but changing our personal response
• Jesus isn't asking us to do anything He hasn't already demonstrated through His sacrifice
• Loving enemies and praying for persecutors distinguishes disciples from the world
• Our calling is to pursue God's perfection through grace and the Holy Spirit's power
• Generosity that seems foolish by worldly standards reflects God's character
• When we respond like Jesus did, it creates spiritual impact beyond what we can see
We close with a reminder that these teachings aren't natural but supernatural, requiring divine help to live out. May we rely on the Holy Spirit to challenge our generosity and response to enemies.
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We explore the spiritual warfare perspective of tragic events like political violence, examining how Christians should respond to evil in the world by understanding its spiritual roots rather than merely political ones.
• Understanding that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil
• Recognizing patterns of spiritual influence throughout history that resurface in different forms
• Avoiding the trap of fighting spiritual battles with only political tools
• Putting on God's armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and Scripture
• Standing prepared rather than cowering or hiding when facing spiritual attacks
• Praying constantly in the Spirit against evil influences
• Moving beyond feeling helpless by recognizing our access to God's power
Stand prepared with the full armor of God to face the spiritual battles of our time, knowing that while we play a role in God's plan, the ultimate victory belongs to Him.
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We continue our exploration of the Beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, focusing on meekness and hungering for righteousness—two countercultural concepts that challenge our understanding of success and satisfaction.
• The context of Jesus' teachings matters—he spoke primarily to disciples while crowds listened
• Meekness is not weakness but strength under control
• Jesus himself exemplified meekness while demonstrating courage and boldness
• The world values dominance and aggression, but Jesus says the meek will inherit the earth
• True hunger for righteousness involves caring about justice, personal morality, and salvation
• Self-righteousness and checklist religion miss the point of God's standards
• We need Jesus' help to achieve the righteousness described in the Sermon on the Mount
• The world cannot satisfy our deepest hunger—only Jesus provides what we truly need
Let's examine our hearts and priorities today. If we're lacking in humility or hungering for the wrong things, let's ask God to help us right where we are. This doesn't have to be just another Sunday—it could be a moment when your life is changed.
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Jesus's Sermon on the Mount reveals a life-changing perspective on what it means to be truly blessed in God's kingdom, turning our conventional understanding upside down.
• The word "blessed" means being blessed even when living through circumstances others wouldn't consider blessed
• Entering the kingdom starts with spiritual bankruptcy—recognizing we cannot produce anything worthwhile in our lives through religious self-help
• Those who mourn receive comfort because Jesus provides both an answer to sin now and eternal hope
• We can experience both genuine mourning and deep joy simultaneously in this "now but not yet" kingdom
• God's blessings in our lives are never just for us—they overflow to impact everyone around us
• Reading Jesus's words isn't just about memorizing nice sayings but learning how to be people of God
• Kingdom blessings supersede temporary circumstances and can't be stolen, lost, or destroyed
If you're feeling poor in spirit today, if you're mourning, if you've failed, rejoice—you're in the perfect position to receive God's blessing. Accept it, expect it, walk in it, and grow in it.
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Jesus challenges our understanding of murder by revealing that anger, insults, and harmful words make us just as guilty before God as physical violence.
• The Sermon on the Mount shows Jesus fulfilling and deepening our understanding of Old Testament law
• Murder is wrong because it destroys something God created in His image
• Name-calling and verbal attacks are forms of "emotional murder" that damage someone's identity
• Reconciliation should take priority over religious rituals and offerings
• Jesus commands us to make peace with opponents before legal disputes escalate
• Our relationship with God requires regular "foot washing" through confession and forgiveness
• Corrie Ten Boom's story demonstrates that true forgiveness comes from God, not our own capacity
• The Holy Spirit provides the love and forgiveness we need when our own resources are insufficient
• Self-righteousness cannot stand before God's perfect holiness
• Jesus doesn't just raise the standard—He provides the grace to meet it
If you've been carrying anger or holding onto broken relationships, ask the Holy Spirit to give you His supernatural ability to forgive as you've been forgiven.
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Words can create confusion when we use the same terms but refer to different concepts, particularly in religious contexts where cults and false teachings adopt Christian terminology while describing non-biblical beliefs.
• A personal anecdote about misidentifying a highlighter color
• Compared to how Americans and British people use "biscuit" differently
• Discussed how various groups use Jesus' name but describe someone different
• Specifically mentioned Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses borrowing Christian terminology
• Cautioned about some portrayals of Jesus in media like "The Chosen"
• Emphasized the importance of comparing descriptions to Scripture
• Recommended knowing Scripture personally to avoid confusion
• Suggested being part of a church community for theological guidance
• Mentioned the value of understanding church history
Be careful out there.
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Paul follows the Holy Spirit's leading to Jerusalem despite warnings about the danger awaiting him, demonstrating how sometimes God's call leads us directly into difficult situations rather than away from them.
• Paul enters Jerusalem and reports to James and the elders about his mission work
• False rumors circulate that Paul teaches Jews to abandon Moses' law
• Church leaders devise a plan for Paul to participate in purification rituals
• Jews from Asia recognize Paul in the temple and incite a violent mob
• Roman soldiers rescue Paul, who remarkably asks to address the very crowd trying to kill him
• Paul's unique background creates unexpected connection points
• Maintaining gospel focus during our most difficult moments shows spiritual maturity
• Christians should seek peace where possible without passive acceptance of evil
• Our painful experiences and difficult relationships become our mission field
• Your unique qualities and even your struggles can be tools God uses
Don't forget that the most painful people in your life are not your enemies but your mission field. Keep your focus on sharing Christ's love even in your most challenging moments.
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God's plan transcends generational failures to accomplish His purposes, working through broken systems to raise up faithful leaders when hope seems lost.
• Looking at 1 Samuel 3, we see God's word coming to Samuel in a time when "the word of the Lord was rare"
• God's plan works through three generations in this story: Eli, his corrupt sons, and young Samuel
• The book of Judges shows a recurring pattern of generational spiritual decline followed by God's intervention
• Churches demonstrate their belief in generational hope through how they allocate resources to children and youth
• Practical application means shifting focus from "me and now" to "we and tomorrow"
• Even in seemingly bleak cultural moments, God is still raising up "Samuels" for the next generation
• The Holy Spirit isn't limited by cultural barriers, broken families, or generational failures
• Jesus arrived after many cycles of Israel's spiritual ups and downs to fulfill God's ultimate redemptive plan
• Maintaining hope in future generations doesn't mean ignoring problems but believing God works through them
• Every act of faithfulness might nurture the next spiritual leader who will bring God's word to their generation
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The word of God is essential for our spiritual vitality, but hearing and responding to it can be a challenging process requiring patience and humility.
• The word of God was rare in Samuel's time, creating a spiritual vacuum
• Samuel initially couldn't recognize God's voice, mistaking it for Eli's call
• Biblical figures like Gideon, David, and Peter all struggled with insecurity when hearing God
• The proper response is a servant's heart: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening"
• God's word often challenges us with difficult truths that are uncomfortable but necessary
• Everyone has access to God's word through creation, the Holy Spirit, and scripture
• Spiritual growth is a marathon requiring perseverance, not a sprint with immediate results
• The word of God at work in our lives can transform us and impact others around us
Don't be discouraged by the struggle to understand God's voice. Keep taking steps forward in faith, approaching His word with a servant's heart.
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God's Word is life-altering, but we often take it for granted until it's gone—like health, relationships, or abilities that we only appreciate in their absence.
• Samuel's story contrasts innocent receptivity with deliberate avoidance of God's voice
• Without prophetic vision, people do whatever they want—historically leading to societal collapse
• Our lives require more than self-created goals; we need divine guidance beyond our limited perspective
• John 1 reveals the Word as the foundation of creation—the code to life itself
• Many try substituting God's Word with pursuits like money or relationships, similar to running a diesel engine on cooking oil
• The living Word doesn't just offer information but makes sense of our existence
• God's Word became flesh in Jesus, making it impossible to forget when the Holy Spirit resides within us
Get into God's Word daily—it's not just a book that you understand; it's a book that understands you.
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Jesus's encounter with Zacchaeus demonstrates His mission to seek and save the lost, revealing how genuine salvation transforms not just our eternal destination but our present actions and attitudes.
• Looking for Jesus with genuine curiosity and hunger for righteousness leads to finding Him
• Jesus intentionally seeks out the lost and knows us before we even look for Him
• Religious people often criticize Jesus's association with sinners, missing His redemptive purpose
• True faith must manifest in practical actions, not just emotional or mental acknowledgment
• Grace doesn't just cover sin like snow over trash—it transforms the trash into snow
• Zacchaeus's response went beyond requirements, giving half his goods to the poor
• We must see unbelievers with potential rather than judgment
• Transformation is sometimes immediate, sometimes gradual, but always with God's help
• Prayer focus: intercede specifically for lost people in your life and recapture excitement about salvation
This week, commit to praying daily for specific people who need Jesus in their lives, and ask God to renew your excitement about what Jesus has done for you.
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God consistently uses normal people with normal problems to accomplish extraordinary purposes in the world around us, showing there's incredible potential in our ordinary faith and daily dedication.
• Families are our first mission field, where our daily faithfulness matters most
• Hannah's story demonstrates how personal pain can become part of God's bigger plan
• Prayer is simply ongoing communication with God – like a never-ending text message chain
• Mature faith stops asking "why bad things happen" and starts asking "what God wants to do through my pain"
• Society's problems are spiritual at their core and require spiritual solutions, not just laws or regulations
• Normal dedication over time is more powerful than sporadic moments of spectacular faith
• God can use your pain to help others who will face similar struggles in the future
• Mary and Joseph were ordinary people navigating extraordinary circumstances with faithfulness
• Your ordinary faithfulness today may impact people you haven't even met yet
• Being steadfast matters more than being spectacular in God's economy
Don't count yourself out because you feel ordinary. God loves using normal people who stay dedicated to Him. There's abounding potential in your ordinary life when surrendered to God.
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The story of Hannah reveals how God transforms ordinary lives through dedication and persistence, ultimately changing history through a family experiencing common struggles.
• Israel was spiritually adrift with corrupt leadership when God began working through Hannah's story
• Hannah suffered from infertility and cruel treatment from her husband's second wife, Penaniah
• Despite years of pain, Hannah and her husband remained dedicated to worship
• Hannah's prayer at the temple showed her willingness to dedicate her requested child back to God
• Before seeing results, Hannah's demeanor changed through prayer and faith
• Dedication isn't a single moment but a lifestyle built through consistent choices
• We aren't asked to be dedicated without being equipped with every tool we need
• Small, seemingly insignificant decisions for God stack up to produce spectacular results
• Our dedication impacts not only our lives but potentially generations to come
• Living a life of dedication doesn't require perfection, just persistence despite challenges
Give God your normal life, normal problems, and faithful dedication—He can use them to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
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Prayer transforms us even before God answers - that's the heart of Hannah's story in 1 Samuel 1 and the surprising power available to every "normal" person facing seemingly impossible situations.
• God uses normal people and normal problems to accomplish extraordinary things
• Dedication to God isn't just a one-time event but a lifelong commitment through every season
• When facing grief, your response pattern reveals what you truly believe about God
• Prayer should be passionate and honest, not just quick or generic requests
• True transformation often happens during prayer, before circumstances change
• Like Jesus in Gethsemane, we can pray honestly about our pain while submitting to God's purposes
• Sometimes God answers our prayers with a miracle; sometimes He makes us the miracle
• Prayer should be our first response to problems, not our last resort
• God doesn't waste our pain but uses it to reach others experiencing similar struggles
• Jesus taught "when you pray" not "if you pray" - prayer is essential, not optional
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This episode centers around the miraculous feeding of 5,000 people and what we can learn from it today.
• The miracle of the five loaves and two fish
• The interplay between human limitations and divine resources
• Understanding compassion as a calling
• Encouragement to bring one's small offerings to God
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Jesus teaches that everyone, regardless of their past, needs grace. Through contrasting characters, the sermon emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our need for Jesus and responding in worship while encouraging us to see potential in others despite their faults.
• Exploring the story of the Pharisee and the sinful woman
• Understanding the parable of the two debtors
• The importance of recognizing our need for grace
• The role of worship in responding to forgiveness
• Seeing potential in people despite their circumstances
• The need for self-evaluation without moral checklists
• Church as a place for healing and grace
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Sunday Sermon on John 16:31-33. We talk about life's universal challenges, emphasizing that Christians and non-Christians face similar difficulties. He highlights the unique hope and peace that faith in Jesus provides, especially during tough times.
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This episode reveals the unexpected journey of planting a church, born from reluctance and curiosity. We explore the pivotal moments leading to our commitment, faithfulness in uncertainty, and the joy of community building.
• Journey from reluctance to church planting
• Pivotal influences and unexpected experiences
• Importance of seeking God's direction
• The transformative power of prayer and contentment
• Embracing opportunities amidst uncertainties
• Moving to Cumming, Georgia, and starting anew
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Repentance is not just asking for forgiveness but a transformative journey toward righteousness and grace. In our exploration, we discuss how the lessons children naturally teach us about human imperfections, the divine invitation to embrace repentance, and the complexities surrounding the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• The lessons children teach us about forgiveness
• Spiritual connections between our mistakes and repentance
• Jesus’ pivotal message on repentance in Matthew 4
• The significance of Galilee as a backdrop for Jesus' ministry
• The essence of true repentance—mind and action
• Understanding sin as a barrier from God
• Historical context of the Kingdom of Heaven for Jewish people
• The concept of the Kingdom being “right now, but not yet.”
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Unlock the secrets to effective gospel outreach by embracing flexibility and adaptability. We promise that by tuning into this episode, you'll gain insights into how to share the transformative message of Jesus with courage and strategic thinking. We reflect on Acts chapter 21, illustrating how the Apostle Paul set aside personal preferences to fulfill his mission. By balancing cultural connections and maintaining the core tenets of the gospel, Paul serves as a model for us in today's diverse world.
Explore how Paul navigated the delicate balance of adhering to Jewish law while fully embracing the new covenant of grace. You'll learn how he skillfully avoided imposing customs on Gentile converts, focusing instead on faith in Jesus alone. We delve into the importance of specializing in your approach to different cultural and religious backgrounds, ensuring that the gospel's moral significance resonates without compromising core Christian values. This episode offers a roadmap for using creativity and strategic thinking to engage with various communities.
We wrap up the conversation by calling you to action. Through prayerful commitment and the boldness of the Holy Spirit, listeners are encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones and actively engage in their unique spheres of influence. Whether reaching out to family, coworkers, or strangers, we invite you to be the light and salt of the world, sharing the gospel in everyday moments with dedication and love. Let this episode inspire you to live out your faith and passionately pursue God's mission.
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This sermon discusses the importance of faithfulness to sound doctrine, avoiding superstition and hyper-spiritualism, and focusing on training in godliness.
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The sermon discusses the importance of avoiding superstition and hyper-spiritualism in Christian discipleship, emphasizing the need for a disciplined approach to growing as Christians.
- Introduction to Discipleship: Discipleship involves a disciplined approach to growing as Christians by studying Jesus's life and words in scripture, and learning from the experiences of early disciples and apostles.
- Dealing with Superstition: Early Christians had to figure out how to deal with superstition and hyper-spiritualism, which were prevalent in the cultures they encountered.
- Faith and Manipulation: Faith should not be seen as a means to manipulate reality or achieve personal desires; it is an expression of trust in God.
- Prayer and Superstition: Prayer should not be turned into a superstition or a formula to avoid bad things; it is about a relationship with God, who already knows our needs.
- Paul's Experience in Ephesus: Paul's preaching in Ephesus led to a significant transformation, with new believers rejecting their old magical practices and burning their books, symbolizing their commitment to Jesus.
- Misconceptions about Control: The desire for control can lead to the incorporation of incompatible spiritual views into Christianity, but true discipleship involves trust in God's plan rather than seeking control.
- Jesus' Teaching on Prayer: Jesus taught that prayer should not be about using empty phrases to get God's attention, but about trusting in the relationship with God, who is already listening.
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Part two of truth vs lies.
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A look at truth and the lies that try to mess with the truth.
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A sermon on the man with the withered hand. The sermon was partially formed by notes from late brother who died at the age of 20.
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The Church North Ga. We are in the process of planting a church (The Church North Ga.), and this is one of the most recent sermons.
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We continue our discussion on prayer using Matthew 6 as our guide. How not to pray part two!
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My father's memorial message. An examination of God's faithfulness and power through my dad's life.
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We start a three-part series on prayer. In part one, we discuss what prayer is and how not to do it.
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We talk about the first lie the enemy used to move us away from a relationship with God, and it was a lie that questioned the accuracy and relevance of God’s word. Once you believe God’s word is not accurate or not relevant to your life, you move away from whom you were intended to be, which is away from healthiness and wholeness.
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2 Corinthians 5:1-10 has tents and a promise of something more permanent. While camping might be fun, most people prefer a more stable living situation. For Paul, that is a part of it means to follow Jesus. Listen for more details.
In life, we have bad days! Sometimes those bad days turn into bad years or even decades. It is easy to give up or resign oneself to a life without hope of change, but there is hope...
Easter and resurrection are for everyone! From skeptics to naive dreamers, Jesus is more than enough for anyone to grab ahold of the powerful reality of the resurrected life.
A simple idea to remember, the outside stuff in life will impact you, but the stuff on the inside defines you.
The Fruit of the Spirit is potentially easy to memorize, but difficult to practice. Easy to read and hard to understand how it impacts everything we do as Christians.
It is often in the normal things of life that God will work out extraordinary things in us, through us, and around us.
It has been seven years since my brother has died. During that time, God helped me in extraordinary ways, and I want to share some of that wisdom with you.
Life is scattered right now, and it causes chaos in our lives internally and externally. But in Christ, there is more to the scattering. Sometimes the tough times produce amazing results in our lives.
Power is one of those words we hear all the time. If you like cars, you talk about power. You want to know the torque or horsepower. If you like video games and computers, you want to know the power of the processer (CPU) or the video processer (GPU). Do you like sports and athletics? Then we will want to know how much people can lift, how hard they can throw, and how hard they can hit, or how fast they can run. Or maybe you will try to get more powerful yourself through training.
What is spiritual power and why does it matter to have spiritual power?
Have you ever looked at someone and just thought, “Man, if I had what they had, I could do anything.” Sometimes, I will look at someone playing basketball, and I would think if I were as tall as him, I could dunk. Like he isn’t even using what God gave him the right way.
Maybe for you, it is like musical ability, you see someone who makes it look easy, and you are lucky if you can sing close to the right note. Forget harmonies you can’t even sing the main part.
We look at other people, and we see all that they have materially or even talent-wise, and we don’t seem to compare. It is like they have been given more than us. And maybe that is true. Perhaps they do have more money and even more ability than we do. That can be depressing to realize, but let me challenge you to recognize that what you do have, though it might be less than others, is still a lot, and it is still a gift from God.
I don’t know why others seem to naturally have more. I cannot answer that question, but I also realize it is not my job to worry about what others have. What I need to focus on and think about is doing something with whatever God has given me. No matter the amount.
There is this parable (Matt 25) that Jesus tells in the bible that we learn a lot from on this very topic.
Last week we talked about what could happen at home as opposed to what we think can just happen at church buildings. Through the scripture of Acts 2, we saw the power that can be given to us at home. Not only at a building or in a typical church service, but at home, with God, we can receive the power to do things that we could not do before through the Holy Spirit. The church is not about a building, but about God and people who serve him in grace.
We keep the conversation going this week by looking at the priesthood of all believers, which might not make a lot of sense if we do not know what a believer is or what type of priest. Hopefully, I can make it simple enough to understand.
We left God at the church building for a long time, and it is time to take Him back home. Then what happens at home, changes what happens outside the home.
People are like sheep, we follow what we see in front of us, and sometimes that is just the other sheep who do not know where they are going. We have to learn to follow the Shepherd.
It is sad, in a way, that so many churches cannot up their services, but problems are just opportunities in disguise. It is necessary but unfortunate, yet, I genuinely believe this challenging time can be something that helps the Christians and the church grow spiritually and practically, be more impactful in the long run, and be more focused on what matters in ministry.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:7
Figuring out the peace that matters.
At 5:00 PM, October 27th, in 1915 in the Antarctic sea, it was a very cold day. Crushed by an unrelenting ice pack, the ship Endurance was creaking, cracking, and deforming under the pressure of millions of tons of ice. Exhausted from days of keeping the ship from sinking, keeping the boilers going, and pumping water out of the hull, the crew received the news that it was over, abandon ship. The mission to cross the Antarctic continent was now a mission for survival before they even made it to land.
Earnest Shackleton, explorer and leader of the expedition, faced the dilemma with a clear sense of purpose. The vision of grandeur and hard success of crossing the continent was replaced with of vision of rescue and survival. Earnest and the crew would chase that vision every day for almost two years until every member of the crew made it safely back to civilization.
This is not a podcast about the Endurance or Shackleton, but about what helped Shackleton and the crew make it out alive. They had a vision (making it back to civilization) that gave them hope, focused their efforts, and gave them direction. Having a clear vision is powerful, for church, for work, and for your family. So Let’s talk about it.
I want to talk about what happens when we meet Jesus. What actually happens when we have a real come to Jesus meeting. Something has got to happen when Jesus shows up, otherwise, we wouldn’t still be talking about Him 2,000 years later.
You can meet all kinds of people, and they will help you, make you happy, hurt you and disappoint you, or maybe they will have no impact on you what so ever. I will guarantee you this when you meet Jesus, everything can change for the better.
The last thing I wish I could tell myself… Other people and other situations can impact me, but they cannot control me.
In life, we will have issues. People will do the wrong thing to us. You never know what is going to happen. Just a few days ago, a storm in Nashville changed everything for some families. Things happen, painful situations, and they will impact us. My brother’s death affected me. Parents getting divorced will impact everyone involved. A car wreck will impact you. Even it raining will impact you. Your failures will impact you, but they do not have to control you. They don’t have to ruin you.
Because of the concise nature of how most millennials and Gen Z’s communicate, I believe many have lost the art of deep and thorough thinking. Relationships might be the key to help develop those thinking skills again.
1% better every month means you are 12% better by the end of the year. Doing small things right will lead to drastic improvement.
We have been having this conversation about things I wish I could go back and tell my younger self, but since I can’t, I have been sharing these things with my students and you. We have talked about putting God first and obey authority figures. Today we talk about setting the right example.
This week, we are talking about someone who was worthless, both practically and spiritually. We are talking about the Samaritan women at the well. This woman is in direct contrast to the rich young ruler from part one. Last week we started at the top, this week we are at the bottom. Everything the rich young ruler was, this woman is not. Both were worthless, but only one was considered worthless by her contemporaries.
For both, the journey back to worth starts with Jesus.
Are you listening to the people around you? Do you try to honor people who annoy you? If you are like me, then maybe this an area you need to strengthen in your life.
What makes you worth anything? That answer will depend on the age and culture you exist in, but if we are honest, our worth is always questionable in one way or another. Thankfully, Jesus changes everything.
Zach wishes he could go back in time to talk to himself about very important things. Instead, he plans a sermon that tells those things to his students.
In today's culture, especially in America, there are popular beliefs that once were deeply connected to Christianity. These beliefs and views have shifted from the foundation of orthodox Christian belief into an almost Christian interpretation of seeing life. Zach examines a few of these "almost" phrases and points out various problems.
What we see, or what we witness, can change us dramatically. If that is the case, then maybe we need to take the time to witness what God has done and is doing around us.
Technology and screens impact us every day, is it a good impact or a dangerous impact? The answer largely depends on the amount of time spent engaging with screens and the age of the person looking at the screen. Zach looks at this problem from a Christian perspective.
Zach goes over one of his recent sermons about what it means to be human. From a Christian perspective, there is a very specific foundation to a person's humanity, and that is only through an understanding that God is the creator.