Sage Spirituality

Send us Fan MailHow can I walk out of sin and into sonship?Romans 8 is one of the most hope-filled chapters in all of Scripture. After wrestling with the struggle of Romans 7, Paul turns the corner and shows us what life in the Spirit looks like. Freedom is not found in trying harder. It is found in surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit and embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God.In this episode, we walk through Paul's process for moving from bondage to freedom, from condemnation to confidence, and from living according to the flesh to living according to the Spirit. The Gospel does not just forgive our past. It transforms how we live today.Pull up a chair, lean in, and let's go deeper into the Word of God.Romans 8:1–17, The Gospel According to Paul, Sage Spirituality Podcast, Freedom in Christ, Life in the Spirit, Sonship, Romans Study, Bible Study Podcast, Christian Growth, Holy Spirit, Anchors ChurchThank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailSome people treat the Gospel like a one-time transaction. A “get out of hell free” card. Just enough Jesus to fix a problem and move on with life. But Paul paints a much deeper picture.Romans 7:14–25 is one of the most difficult and debated passages in the book of Romans. In this episode, we wrestle with the tension of the human condition, the struggle with sin, and what Paul is really showing us about life apart from the transforming power of Christ.This is not just about behavior modification. It is about the deeper war happening within us.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWho is my real enemy?Most of us spend our lives fighting battles around us, while missing the one happening within us. In this episode, we look at the problem of sin and uncover an enemy that is closer than we may have imagined. More importantly, we see how the gospel speaks hope and freedom right in the middle of that struggle.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailYou’re going to serve somebody.Bob Dylan said it… but honestly, Paul said it first.In Romans 6:15–23, Paul lays it out plain—there’s no middle ground.We’re either serving sin or serving righteousness. That’s it.And here’s the tension… we like to think we’re free.But Paul flips that idea and shows us we’re always being shaped by what we surrender to.Sin leads somewhere.Righteousness leads somewhere.Both have an end result.So the real question isn’t if you’re serving—it’s who you’re serving.Episode 93 is all about that choice and what it actually looks like in real life.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan Mail“Houston, we have a problem.”That famous line from Apollo 13 captures the tension Paul is addressing in Romans 6. The problem then is the same problem now—sin.Paul raises the question many believers wrestle with:If grace is real… does that mean sin doesn’t matter?In this episode of Sage Spirituality, we look at Paul’s answer and what it really means to be dead to sin and alive to God. Freedom isn’t just theoretical—it’s meant to shape how we live.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailEpisode 91 — Romans 5:12–21Paul shows that sin and death entered through Adam, while grace and life came through Jesus. A battle remains over what will reign, and each of us must decide which authority shapes our lives. In this episode, we explore the tension between death and life and the choice set before us.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailSometimes the stories we tell about God slowly get shaped more by our experiences than by the actual good news of the gospel. Before we realize it, what started as faith can turn into something closer to a myth.In this episode, we sit with Romans 5:6–11 and ask a hard (but really freeing) question: Have we stretched our story about God?We look at three common myths many believers quietly carry — ideas that sound spiritual, but actually shrink the power and beauty of what Paul is saying about Christ’s love, grace, and reconciliation.If you’ve ever felt like the gospel became smaller, heavier, or more complicated over time… this one’s for you.Listen in and let Scripture reshape the story again.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIf we cannot avoid the difficult times and the pain in life, how to we benefit from it?  In this episode we again turn our focus to Abraham to find the way forward, even when it hurts.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIf we cannot be saved by the law, why do we even need it?  In this episode, we will look at the life of Abraham, the father of the faith, to see just how he measured up.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailRomans 4:9–15 | Big Faith and Real GrowthIn this episode of Sage Spirituality, Joil Marbut continues the journey through Romans 4:9–15, unpacking Paul’s gospel-centered argument that righteousness has always come by faith, not law or religious markers. Using Abraham as the foundation, Paul reminds both Jews and Gentiles that God’s promises are received through faith alone—a truth that can feel almost too good to be true.From there, the conversation widens into what big faith really looks like. Faith is not a feeling or passive belief, but an active trust that grows through testing, obedience, and surrender. Joil explores how God uses trials to strengthen faith and offers practical wisdom on cultivating growth through the “three C’s”: crowd, consumption, and commitment.The episode also tackles an important and often sensitive topic—distinguishing between healthy spiritual authority and spiritual abuse—offering clarity, compassion, and biblical grounding. This is an invitation to deeper trust, wiser discernment, and courageous faith that steps fully into God’s promises.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailYou know that moment on vacation when someone offers you three luxurious days and two nights for free—and you instantly know it’s a timeshare presentation? Paul shows us in Romans 4 that the Gospel is nothing like that.Using Abraham and David, Paul reminds us that righteousness has never been earned. Abraham simply believed God, and God credited him with righteousness. David celebrated the same truth: blessed is the one whose sins are forgiven—not because they performed well, but because God freely gives grace.No hidden fees. No fine print. Just a gift with no strings attached.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIf we didn’t earn our salvation, why do we still drift into pride? This week, we’re digging into Paul’s reminder to both Jews and Gentiles in the Roman church about the sneaky trap of pride — and how it can quietly shape our walk with God.Pull up a chair and let the Holy Spirit show you what’s really going on in your heart.  Listen now on Sage Spirituality!Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dive into Paul’s bold message for anyone who thinks they can earn their salvation by being “good enough.” He makes it perfectly clear: righteousness is not something we achieve by our own effort—it’s a gift received through faith. We unpack how Paul’s teaching challenges the idea that our actions alone count toward our salvation and explore what it really means to be made righteous in God’s eyes. Join us as we wrestle with grace, humility, and the freedom that comes when we stop relying on ourselves and start trusting in Christ.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIs there such as a thing as an advantage in the spiritual life that isn’t an advantage?  In this episode we will look at Paul’s take on those Jewish brothers and sisters in the church at Rome.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we unpack Paul's powerful argument about God's faithfulness and human unrighteousness. What happens when our failures seem to highlight God's goodness? Does that excuse sin or expose our desperate need for grace? Paul reminds us that God's faithfulness doesn't give us a free pass to live however we want. Love isn't a license for us to keep on sinning; it's a call to live transformed. Join us as we delve into Romans 3:1-8 and explore how Paul addresses misunderstandings, hypocrisy, and the essence of God's justice. Pull up a chair, lean in, and let's go deeper into the Word of God.For mentioned book recommendations and Church Father highlights, check out our website at sagespirituality.comThank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this eposide, join us as we consider Paul's challenge to the Roman church to live a life that would make non-believers their belief in God.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we will continue to consider how Paul’s message to the Romans applies to those of us who are believers today.  See why this book is both “the most pessimistic page of literature upon which your eyes have rest” as well as “the most beautiful poem to which your ears have ever listened.”  Come to the table as we reach back into church history and lean into this amazing story.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailThe Gospel According to Paul #3 - Romans 1:18-32The Apostle Paul is possibly the greatest theologian in the history of the church.  Writing numerous letters explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ.  In this series, we will be taking a deep dive into his understanding of the Gospel.  Come to the table as we reach back in church history and lean into the letter the Apostle wrote to the church in Rome.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailThe Gospel According to Paul #3 - Romans 1:16-17The Apostle Paul is possibly the greatest theologian in the history of the church.  Writing numerous letters explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ.  In this series, we will be taking a deep dive into his understanding of the Gospel.  Come to the table as we reach back in church history and lean into the letter the Apostle wrote to the church in Rome.  Thank you for joining us at the table. Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailThe Gospel According to Paul #2 - Romans 1:8-15The Apostle Paul is possibly the greatest theologian in the history of the church.  Writing numerous letters explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ.  In this series, we will be taking a deep dive into his understanding of the Gospel.  Come to the table as we reach back in church history and lean into the letter the Apostle wrote to the church in Rome.  Thank you for joining us at the table. Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailThe Gospel According to Paul #1-Romans 1:1-7The Apostle Paul is possibly the greatest theologian in the history of the church.  Writing numerous letters explaining the Good News of Jesus Christ.  In this series, we will be taking a deep dive into his understanding of the Gospel.  Come to the table as we reach back in church history and lean into the letter the Apostle wrote to the church in Rome.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWhat frustrated Jesus the most?  Was it the sinfulness that surrounded him on all sides?  Or maybe the occupying Romans in the Promised Land?  The Gospels actually continue to point towards faithlessness among those who claim to believe as the one thing that frustrated him the most.  Are you faithless? If so, how do you overcome it?  In this episode, we reach back and lean in to find the answer.  You can listen to the full song "collide" by Joil on Spotify.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we climb the mountain with Peter, James, and John to watch as Jesus is transformed before our eyes.  What was going on, and why did it happen?  Believe it or not, it has everything to do with you and your life in the 21st century.  Reaching back and leaning into a deeper relationship with God.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailPride is the root of sin. I caused an angel to fall and it causes us to think we cannot fail or possibly be wrong about something.  Jesus taught a life lesson with one short sentence in response to an epic failure from Peter.  Reach back and lean in to this episode and allow the Holy Spirit to give you the remedy to your greatest stumbling block. Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we will look inside the host of Sage Spirituality's new book, "The Exponential Life."  It was recently named "Hottest New Publication" on Amazon, and testimonies of transformed lives are rolling in.  Take a few minutes with Joil and see why reading this book will enrich your life. FSCPublishing:  https://www.fscpublishing.com/Purchase the book here: https://a.co/d/iT0rIHTThank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we consider the most important question ever asked in history.  One that can change the course of our lives.  Take a moment to consider what Jesus was really asking his disciples, and also allow yourself to see the power of a question.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailLove has been so twisted and diluted in our world that it is nearly unrecognizable to many of us.  In this episode, we will look back at the meaning of real love and lean into the Advent text as we conclude this season of expectation.  Thank you for joining us in this Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love season.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we will pause during this Advent season and consider the difference between happiness and joy, one is fleeting, and one is secure.  One can be pursued, and the other can only come as a result of God’s gracious work in our lives.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this special Advent episode of Sage Spirituality, we will pause to consider the prophecy and the proclamation of “Peace on earth” that surrounded the birth of Jesus.  Did Jesus come to bring peace? Or maybe we have misunderstood his definition of what peace truly is to us?    Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we take time to slow down and consider the real meaning of Christmas.  We take a look at the Incarnation, God made flesh.  We find that there are no hopeless situations, only situations without Jesus. Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWhether we realize it or not, we are all being led; everyone is following someone. In this episode, we look at the influence those closest to us possess.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we look at Jesus’ warning against the leaven of Herod and the Pharisees.  Many think this is about bread, but it has more to do with your modern life than you may think.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we will consider the second miracle feeding of the masses, but we will look beyond the obvious miracle to see why the masses followed him during his time on earth.  With a bit of late-night talk show inspiration we compiled a "top-ten list" of the reasons that made and still make Jesus attractive, as well as a few things that would never be said about him.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode we will pause and consider what Jesus’s prayer for a man who was deaf and mute says about his prayer for us.  He wants you to hear and speak of his goodness.  Reaching back and leaning in as we go deeper in our journey with God.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWhat do you do with a response from Jesus that just seems out of place?  When it doesn’t really reflect what you expected to hear?  Maybe even a response that is so strong it makes him look unsightly in the eyes of his listeners?  You look back at church history and lean into the text to see what was really being said.  In this episode, we examine one of the most misunderstood sayings of Jesus.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailYour thoughts are controlling your life.  Where are they coming from?  It may shock you to find out in this episode of Sage Spirituality as we continue our journey through the Gospels.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we explore the issues at the heart of the Pharisees who persecuted Jesus and constantly attempted to entrap him with man-made legalism.  We will give you a personal litmus test to check your inner Pharisee.  The result may surprise you.  Lean into this well-known dialogue between Jesus and the religious leaders of his day.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we will dive into an unconventional and difficult command given to Jesus’ disciples.  Their obedience serves as a lesson for us when we face headwinds and doubts in our own journey.  When we obey, it opens us up to a deeper work of grace, it is a work that may not be apparent to us.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Sage Spirituality, we will be leaning into a very well-known text, it is a miraculous story that is retold in all four Gospels.  During this time we will look deeper than the 5000 who were fed as we listen to Jesus' message to us today.  Slow down even when you are doing God's work, be kind and compassionate even when you don't feel like it, and be radically generous even when you don't think you have anything to give. Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWhat do gossip, grudges, and gyrating hips have in common?  They are all found in the story of John the Baptist.  From one of the most overlooked and unlikely places in this Gospel’s account, there is a deep and personal lesson for each of us to take away. You are invited to reach back, lean in, and go deeper in your relationship with God.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWhat exactly did Jesus mean when he told his disciples to “shake off the dust of their feet” when they had been rejected?  Are you currently hanging onto something that Jesus is asking you to let go of so you can move on to your next assignment?  In this episode, we will dig deep into the first commission of the disciples as we lean in and reach back. Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailUnbelief is more than a simple lack of faith, it was the one thing that limited Jesus' power to do miracles in his hometown of Nazareth.  In this episode, we will look deeper into the cause and effect of unbelief and three simple steps to remedy it in our lives today.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailHave you ever felt like you were disappointed with God?  Most likely, we have all had our moments.  This episode will take a few moments to learn from some of the most notable figures in church history.  From their experience, we will plot a course to overcome disappointment.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we consider the power of faith.  Matthew Henry noted that “Jesus honored faith because faith honored him”.  We will dive deep into a biblical explanation of faith and what it means to truly believe.  Hold on to your seat, your faith is about to be challenged.  Thank you for coming to our table. Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailWhat do a crazy demon-possessed man and a pig farm have to teach us in our current day?  More than meets the eye!  We will dig into this often overlooked text to find practical application in our everyday lives.  In this episode, we will identify our common enemy and some of his surest tactics and put in place a proven strategy to overcome him.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan Mailthe Bible is a multilayered living work that holds deep meaning in each verse.  In this episode of Sage Spirituality, we will turn the text “around and around” to see its many facets, we will reach back into church history and lean into what Jesus was teaching to his disciples as they crossed the Sea of Galilee. Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we consider a word widely used but rarely understood in the church and in the world.  A word that can change even the worst sinner into a person of faith.  Just like the old hymn reminds us, it truly is amazing.  Its grace.  Come to the table for our 50th episode and lean in as we discuss the one word that can truly change the world.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailIf you are a disciple of Christ there is a candle burning in your life.  It was lit by your Savior and it has a purpose.  You were not meant to be a closet Christian, but to glorify your Father in heaven.  In this episode of Sage Spirituality we consider what this means in our journey, how we can actually burn even brighter and the danger involved for those who hide the work God has done in their life.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailAre you allowing distractions to steal the seeds that God is attempting to sow in your life?  Are you hard-hearted to the point of not allowing eternal work to spring up in your life?  Maybe you just look back with regret over your past or your feel anxious about your future.  Either way, there is hope for you to become fertile soil.  In this episode, we will look back and listen to the voices of John Chrysostom, Augustine, Cyril of Jerusalem, Martin Luther, Martyn Lloyd Jones, and more as we dive into this life-changing parable.  Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.

Send us Fan MailAs a follower of Christ is it ever wrong to do what's right? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the Pharisees' hypocrisy as we continue to journey through the Gospel of Mark.  We will reach back to the voices of church history and see that it is always the right time to do the right things.Thank you for joining us at the table.  Visit us at sagespirituality.com for more.