Anthem Church: Recent Episodes
Anthem Church
Welcome to the weekly podcast of Anthem Church in Gainesville, Florida a church that exists to inspire people to follow Jesus. Helping you navigate faith and life. Visit us at anthemchurch.com.
God can use you...regardless of you.
Speaker: Philip Floor
The Anthem Church Podcast
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It's hard to see God's actions when we're filled with distractions.
Speaker: Philip Floor
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Since 2011, our Be Rich campaign has been making the world an even better place. After all, devotion to God is best demonstrated and authenticated through love for others.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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We must take responsibility for the me nobody can see.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
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Our choices today will leave our loved ones with one of two things in the future: a burden or a blessing.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Sometimes, we have to go back to move forward.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Taking responsibility for your actions and reactions—past, present and future—is a real-life superpower.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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We are far more likely to develop meaningful faith when people of faith surround us.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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We can disagree culturally and politically, and still love unconditionally.
Speaker: Jon Birkmire (Interim Lead Pastor)
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Following the script of Jesus doesn’t mean all men will be the same. But it does mean we’ll be better men.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Somebody may have defined masculinity for you, but how will you define it for yourself?
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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What do we do when public Christians make us not want to be a Christian in public?
Speaker: Jon Birkmire (Interim Lead Pastor, Anthem Church)
The Anthem Church Podcast
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What do we do when our way is different than God's way?
Speaker: Jon Birkmire (Interim Lead Pastor, Anthem Church)
The Anthem Church Podcast
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What do we do when we keep missing the mark?
Speaker: Jon Birkmire (Interim Lead Pastor, Anthem Church)
The Anthem Church Podcast
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When we don't know what's ahead, what is our trust fastened to?
Speaker: Jon Birkmire (Interim Lead Pastor, Anthem Church)
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Who or what is controlling you?
Speaker: Philip Floor (Student Ministry Director, Anthem Church)
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What could our world look like if we chose restoration instead of condemnation?
Speaker: Joel Thomas (Lead Pastor, Buckhead Church)
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It’s tough to be a faithful follower of Jesus under normal circumstances, and nearly impossible when someone around you has given you a big reason not to be. But help is available to us.
Speaker: Andy Stanley
The Anthem Church Podcast
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We often use the word “good,” and it can mean a number of different things. In this message, we’ll look at the true definition of goodness—something our world definitely needs now.
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Jesus never said life would be easy, but he did promise us a path that leads to peace.
Speaker: Joel Thomas (Lead Pastor, Buckhead Church)
The Anthem Church Podcast
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Jesus promised that a consistent, constant, and steady joy can be ours. And fortunately, he also tells us how.
The Holy Spirit was given to us not so we could be more spiritual, but to produce selfless maturity.
When the church first began, a natural question surfaced right away: What shall we do? The answer had to do more with understanding who your faith was in more than what needed to be done.
While the Greek word “ekklesia” is mistranslated as “church” in many Bibles, the word means “group” or “gathering.” Christianity has always been a movement, with local groups of people living out the same approach and posture of Jesus
The goal of a follower of Jesus should be to allow our hearts to break for thethings that break God’s heart. When you are faced with another person in a tough situation or in desperate need, how does your heart respond?
There is a very real battle between what we want now and what we want most,
and we have a choice to make—will our hearts be set on NOW or LATER?
One way to test the spiritual condition of your heart is to listen to the words
you say. In Matthew 15:10–20, Jesus teaches that the words we say reveal what’s in our
hearts. Monitoring the nature of your words can help you monitor the condition of your
heart. When it comes to your heart, do you hear yourself?
In all its subtle forms, greed has the potential to rob your life. But the secret to living a meaning-filled life is found across the border from what’s in it for me.
If the only things that concern you are about you, there is work to do. Ultimately, we save ourselves from ourselves by choosing not to be all about ourselves.
At the beginning of year, many of us ask, “What should I do about me?” And yet there’s another question that will potentially catapult you beyond yourself.
During this time of year, we engage our imaginations as we embrace the magic of Christmas. Let’s also imagine what the world would be like if we fully embraced the way of Jesus—the way of love.
Spiritual disciplines require practice. Practicing well is just as important as practicing, period. In this message, we’ll learn about a few disciplines we can begin to practice to make room to experience more of God’s power in our lives.
Spiritual habits are not the end; but a means to an end. To what end? Jesus makes that abundantly clear.
Angels, a greek word and the Good News. Lead Pastor Jason Lee looks at the moments when the first followers of Jesus stepped into what was next.
What's the faith of the next generation worth? Jon Birkmire unpacks what's at stake when we ask that question and what you and I can do about it in Part 3 of Irresistible.
Ever heard the phrase "The world is going to hell in a hand basket?" In Part 2 of Irresistible Jon Birkmire looks at the bystander effect and how the tensions we feel all around us could move us towards seeing people the way Jesus did.
Since 2008 Anthem has been a different kind of a church. A church that believed it was possible to create a church that people who don't like church love to attend. A church that created irresistible environments for all ages experience the life changing message of Jesus. While much of that hasn't changed, in 2022 God birthed a new mission and vision for Anthem... and this series, these days, are our invitation to fuel and to finish what God founded.
Join us for a brand new original teaching series: Irresistible.
Your great work is to identify the distractions that keep you from the “problem” that you are uniquely positioned to solve.
Great work is often found on the other side of a terrifying longing. How could clarity regarding your “terrifying longing” reduce the allure of the distractions you’re most susceptible to?
Most of us, if we’re honest, would admit that we’re either stressed out, exhausted, or feel like we just can’t keep up with everything. We can’t catch a breath, and even if we do, it’s pretty short lived. What if you don’t have to feel this way? What if you found a way to live that was filled with peace and life instead of hurry and stress? Stress, exhaustion, and what on earth we can do about it.
Most of us, if we’re honest, would admit that we’re either stressed out, exhausted, or feel like we just can’t keep up with everything. We can’t catch a breath, and even if we do, it’s pretty short lived. What if you don’t have to feel this way? What if you found a way to live that was filled with peace and life instead of hurry and stress? Stress, exhaustion, and what on earth we can do about it.
Most of us, if we’re honest, would admit that we’re either stressed out, exhausted, or feel like we just can’t keep up with everything. We can’t catch a breath, and even if we do, it’s pretty short lived. What if you don’t have to feel this way? What if you found a way to live that was filled with peace and life instead of hurry and stress? Stress, exhaustion, and what on earth we can do about it.
Living in the upside-down kingdom Jesus described can perhaps seem risky and foolish. But the power and love of God is released when we embrace it.
We can be tempted by a lot of things we shouldn’t give in to. But when we give into the temptation of humility, the world changes for the better.
In the first century, the cross was a symbol of suffering and shame. In this series, we’ll talk about how it now represents an empowering invitation to a completely different way of life.
God intends to orchestrate something extraordinary out of the ordinary in our lives. Have you ever heard that God has incredible purpose for your life? What does that mean? How do we discover his purpose? Sometimes we just need to eliminate the distractions, so we can hear God speak to us about his unique purpose for our lives.
Moses thought he knew himself. He knew how others saw him. Then, he had an encounter with God that changed everything. Apart from God, Moses was a man full of guilt, shame, and self-doubt. Once he found his identity in God, Moses stood up to the king of Egypt, faced his past, convinced more than a million people to follow him into the desert, and governed the nation of Israel for 40 years. It’s easy to allow culture to define us. God wants us to find our identity in him. The source of your identity will change your legacy.
8: The Bible documents God’s redemptive activity in the world, culminating in the arrival of his final King.
A special Memorial Day Message from Joel Thomas: First Things First.
There are two things that reveal what’s valuable to us: priority and sacrifice. Prioritizing God in one key area, finances, and making sacrifices accordingly lead to making him the top priority in our lives.
Joel is the Lead Pastor at Buckhead Church and serves as one of our Teaching Pastors in our Network of Churches.
With so many denominations and opinions on what it means to be a Christian, it can be difficult to determine what is fundamental to the faith. In this series, we'll look at what's essential--and what's not--when it comes to following Jesus.
Real intimacy doesn’t happen by accident. If we want to be known and accepted in our marriages, dating relationships, and friendships, it’s going to take vulnerability.
Why is our bar so low? It’s never too late (or too soon) to raise the bar and strive for real intimacy.
Forgiving someone before they ask for it isn’t easy, but it’s exactly what God did for us.
The church is God's agent of transformation for the world, and the church is your opportunity to take part in that transformation. Take the step from being just a consumer at the local church to being involved.
In order to maximize our potential and fulfill our mission as a church, everyone should serve somewhere.
We’ve all heard the adage that actions speak louder than words. But the words we’ve heard have shaped us and the words we speak have the power to shape others. And some words weigh more than others. Especially depending on the source of those words.
We’ve all heard the adage that actions speak louder than words. But the words we’ve heard have shaped us and the words we speak have the power to shape others. And some words weigh more than others.
No matter what season we are in, we all want to get life right. Jesus invites us into his way and to avoid the traps that will lead us away.
No matter what season we are in, we all want to get life right. Jesus invites us into his way and to avoid the traps that will lead us away.
It doesn’t matter what season of life you're currently in… we are all trying our best to get life right. It doesn’t matter what season we're in, Jesus has a lot to say about how to get life right… he invites us into his way, while avoiding the traps that have the potential to lead us away.
We should fear the consequences of closing our hands more than the consequences of losing what’s in them.
Selfishness is a terrible master that does nothing for you. The more you choose to surrender to God, the more he will lead you to peace with yourself.
There are a lot of things you need to do this year. There are a lot of things you can and will do. But what’s one thing you must do? Maybe just as importantly—what might keep you from doing it?
One reason for the season is to remove our excuses for moving away from people unlike us.
God blessed the world with a different kind of King who came to establish a different kind of kingdom.
Discover what might happen when you have the courage to make a simple invitation that could change everything for somebody.
Thinking about what's next can be challenging. Stepping into a new reality can be even harder and requires courage and faith beyond our own. What if what's next for you was right now?
Thinking about what's next can be challenging. Stepping into a new reality can be even harder and requires courage and faith beyond our own. What if what's next for you was right now?
The belief that “Good people go to heaven” sounds nice on the surface. But it doesn’t make sense.
Jesus didn’t command us to agree with one another. We can disagree and love unconditionally.
One of the most unnatural things about the Christian life is learning how to relate to and rely on a sovereign being we cannot physically see.
Lying to ourselves to feel good about ourselves keeps us from doing what’s good for ourselves.
No one said it was easy, but releasing someone from what they've done to you is your only way to freedom.
Good decisions get us where we want to go, and wisdom fills the gaps when we're wondering what do to. But, your decisions aren't just about you. They impact people closest to you as well.
Jesus talked about heaven in several different ways. Today we'll look at three conversations that reveal the way Jesus viewed the realities of heaven.
Our actions rarely tell the whole story, but our reactions most certainly do. And Jesus instructs us to leverage them for good.
At some point in life, we reach the mountaintop; we feel like we're on top. The common question then becomes: "What Now?" What can these mountaintop experiences teach us about who or what we rely on? And how do we capitalize on the good seasons of life?
At some point, we all will experience waiting for something. Why is it so hard to have to wait? And what can our present circumstances teach us about God's desire for us in that season?
Ever wish you could rewind, or skip forward through life's tough times? What happens when you can't do that? Navigating through tough times takes both time and intention. But how do we be "intentional?"
We’ve heard about how important the work/life balance is. But why doesn’t that saying include “rest?” How, why and when should you stop in order to intentionally rest?
Disagreement is unavoidable, but division is a choice. We can disagree politically and love unconditionally.
When it comes to potentially polarizing topics, our posture, tone, and approach will tell others all they need to know about what’s most important to us.
The idea of valuing others didn't begin with a movement, a court decision, or a change of mind. It began with Jesus.
It's not enough to just be a part of a church that prioritizes the next generation. You should be relentlessly FOR them, too. So we're asking: what's the faith of the next generation worth to you?
Christians are more often known for what they're against rather than who or what they're for. We think it's time to change that - beginning by being for your neighbor. What if this is how we begin to change our city, and the world around us?
People ultimately weren’t convinced to follow Jesus because of what he taught. They became convinced because of what they saw.
Christians are not expected to believe based solely on a collection of ancient manuscripts. The foundation of our faith is anchored to something far more substantial and sustainable. Little did Luke know that of the many accounts of the life of Jesus, his would be one of four that survived. It's worth asking if his account is reliable.
Change can be difficult, stressful and overwhelming. It can challenge our sense of balance and our sanity. So, what's the secret to staying sane during these seasons of change?
From politics and culture to the church, Andy Stanley and Crawford Loritts have a candid discussion.
We aren't just a church that has groups, we're a church OF groups. Why do we believe so strongly that life is better connected? Join us and Associate Pastor Jon Birkmire as he unpacks why proximity to communities of faith matters.
There are two kinds of people: excuse-makers, and difference-makers. Which are you? Get the 5 steps you need to take to be a difference-maker in this series conclusion of Paper Walls: Moving Beyond the Excuses That Hold You Back.
It’s true that God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to leave you that way.
Whether fueled by fear, insecurity, or a past event, many of us construct a paper wall of excuses that holds us back.
An obstacle can seem impossible to overcome when we face it alone. But when we’re willing to be there for someone—or ask someone to be there for us—it can change everything.
Welcome to Anthem! What happens when we accept explanations for things too quickly? What if that explanation is actually a narrative about an entire group of people? And…what if that narrative is one that God never intended?
The more mature person typically makes the first move toward reconciliation. And that first move is rarely convenient.
Repairing a relationship requires someone to initiate, regardless of who’s to blame for the fallout. There’s a simple prayer you can learn to help you take that first step.
When it comes to repairing relationships, no one responds well to being convinced, coerced, convicted or controlled. Yet we try those approaches over and over again.
Today, we celebrate Be Rich, our annual campaign to go above and beyond in giving back to our community. Thanks to your generosity of time and money, we have a LOT to celebrate.
Loving our neighbor sounds easy. But, our brain tries to make shortcuts for understanding people - and sometimes that leads to judging others based on a stereotype, or a "data point" we have about a group of people. But when we see others the way Jesus sees them, we'll learn to treat them the way Jesus has treated us - with grace and love.
Join us for a conversation with our incredible partners Created Gainesville, Food4Kids Backpack Program and Girls Place as unpack the heart behind how we give, serve and love FOR Gainesville.
Join us and special guest Clay Scroggins as we launch Be Rich 2021 - a movement to give, serve and love our community! Over the past 12 years, hundreds of thousands of dollars and hours have been poured into our community! Today, you can be a part!
It’s possible to be a good person without doing any good, but that’s not good for anybody.
It’s easy to look at the outcomes of our decisions and know if we’ve won. But the bigger win happens before you even know the outcome.
The first breach of integrity makes the second breach easier. Before you know it, it becomes a pattern. But there’s a way to prevent it from starting.
Our appetites pose a constant threat to our integrity. And if we don't control them, they will shape the direction and quality of our lives.
Sometimes we’re willing to be bad to keep from looking bad. But when we’re more concerned about our reputations than our integrity, we eventually damage both.
There are times we know we ought to do something, even when there is no written rule. That's because there is an "ought to" outside of you and over you that didn't originate with you.
Investing time in our relationship with Jesus will always be time well spent. But, why does "church" matter? Today, take a peek behind the curtain as Jon Birkmire leads us through the "why" behind the "what", and find out the 4 things that can change your life - for the better. If you're on the fence about what a next step looks like for you - today's the day to step forward and impact lives FOR our community.
We spend so much of our time doing things we don't want to do or that don't matter. There's little to show for the time we spent. What if there were a few things we could focus on that would change everything? Starting with these would be an investment; it would be time well spent.
If you repay evil for evil, you will write a pretty predictable story. But there’s a way to write a remarkable one instead.
We all have that person in our life - the mean one. Sometimes, they make us feel like we aren't even in control of ourselves. Do you ever want to… you know, get even? But why get even with someone you don’t even like? What’s a better way? The answer may surprise you.
It's easy to drift apart from your neighbor. Differing ideas, views and political parties can push us to find comfort in the uniformity of people who think like we do. But, Jesus knew that things would divide us, and so He specifically told us to "be sincere" in our love for each other.
Disunity, division, no common ground - there's a lot of talk about this in our country right now. Sometimes it can seem as if there is no way forward. But, despite how it may feel, there IS a way forward. And we should lead the way. Bring all your labels - we're throwing them in a pile and picking out some new ones.
We all have a tendency to judge others based on what we think they deserve. Maybe you’ve tried to do things the right way, but those who had no regard for the right way seemed to be rewarded. The truth is, when we overestimate our own righteousness and underestimate the grace we’ve been given, we can’t help but judge others. In order to discover true peace, we need to shift our focus from others to ourselves and rest in the relationship we have with the Father.
If there’s one thing that’s true for all of us, it’s that we will pursue our own desires and eventually come to regret it. It’s a cycle in which we often find ourselves. We try to fix things on our own instead of coming home, where we can truly find peace and rest. What if we made the decision to come home—where we were intended to be all along? Maybe it’s here we will realize that our dependence on the Father is what gives us true freedom in this life.
The term “father” stirs up a variety of feelings and memories in all of us. For some of us, our fathers were a dominant presence in our homes. For others, our fathers were people we barely saw. For still others, our fathers were consistent providers but cold when it came to showing genuine love. So when we hear the term “heavenly Father,” what feelings bubble up? In one story, Jesus gives us a perfect picture of who our heavenly Father truly is.
We’ve heard about how important the work/life balance is. But why doesn’t that saying include “rest?” How, why and when should you stop in order to intentionally rest?
We all want to get the future right, and we all want to arrive safely at our intended destination. Follow these rules and you will get there on time and on purpose.
Wrinkle-free days usually don’t create great faith, because we don’t know what we actually believe until what we claim to believe is tested. Those unexpected things life throws our way can end up being pivotal circumstances in our faith journeys.
There is no progress without discipline. And many times, what begins as an "ought to" becomes a "want to."
Sometimes it seems God drops someone into our lives at just the right time. The defining moments and seasons of our lives usually revolve around those providential relationships.
Nothing causes us to depend on God more than pushing through our inadequacy to help other people. When we serve in a ministry we take personally, we experience God’s power and faithfulness.
It’s one thing to believe and enjoy practical teaching. But gaining knowledge is not enough to grow our faith —applying it is.
We’ve all heard stories of people—or we know people—who have what appears to be unshakable faith. They have a confidence in God that informs what they do. Where does faith like that come from?
We want to be open-minded, but we naturally resist things we can't control or don't understand. So how can we learn to be open to changing our ideals and beliefs, especially if we may be wrong about something? It begins with a simple prayer.
Jesus told his followers to pray to avoid temptation. But before we can pray that with a clear conscience, there are some things we need to ask ourselves first.
If God already knows my needs, why pray? Because the purpose of prayer is to surrender your will, not impose it.
At one time or another, we’ve all been told we should pray. But how should we pray? Jesus’s disciples had the exact same question.
Loss is something we all experience. It’s a part of the human experience. It can be really difficult for us to know what to do when we experience loss but it can be even more difficult to know what to do when someone we care about experiences loss, too. Understanding how to help people we care about with loss will make us better, spouses, parents, friends and neighbors.
Often, we only know to grieve the loss of a friend or loved one. But that's really only one kind of loss. If we know what to do with those losses, we can move on from them. What about the other kinds of loss? If we don't deal with them too, they'll definitely deal with us. You don't have to learn the hard way.
There's a question you can ask yourself that will bring inescapable clarity to just about every relational decision you'll bump up against. But a word of warning: it's not for the faint of heart.
It's human nature to snuggle up to the edge of irresponsibility or disaster and stay there as long as possible. But instead of wondering how close we can get before crossing the line, we need to ask ourselves perhaps the most important question we can ever ask.
Sometimes an option we're considering creates tension inside of us. When that happens, it can be tempting to ignore the discomfort or brush by it. But instead of doing that, we need to pay close attention to it.
Your life is more than random, disconnected events. It's a story being written. Whether it's a thoughtful response or an emotionally fueled reaction, we write the stories of our lives one decision at a time.
The easiest person to deceive is the person in the mirror. But when we do the hard work of being honest with ourselves, we’re on our way to not selling ourselves on a potential regret.
We never know what or who hangs in the balance of the decisions we make. But we do know that our decisions determine the direction and quality of our life.
Christmas is the “ready or not...believe it or not, here I come” holiday. And God is coming for you, because he’s for you. Belief is how we move in his direction. He has already moved in ours.
The original message of Jesus was so compelling that everyone who heard it wanted it to be true. Maybe the version you’ve heard isn’t as captivating. If Jesus truly offered an invitation that left no one out, would you consider it really good news?
People close to Jesus were convinced they had met good personified. So they documented the story. They were convinced it wasn’t just for a nation or for a generation, but for all nations and every generation. This was good news, great joy, for all people—perhaps especially for those of us who aren’t all that good.
Join us for Part 2 of Welcome the Wilderness, along with great music from the Anthem band, and our Lead Pastor, Jason Lee!
This has been a season filled with unpredictability and unknowns. Many of us might feel as though we are in the wilderness. Join Clay as we discover what God has to offer each of us if we Welcome the Wilderness.