PODCAST · religion
The Branch
by The Tree Church
The Branch Podcast is an in-depth conversation surrounding the topics presented on Sundays at the Tree Church.
Episodes
-
Remembering What Matters | The Branch
This discussion explores the theological depth, historical context, and practical significance of communion for Christians today. Drawing on the roots of the Passover meal and tracing the fulfillment of that tradition through Jesus at the Last Supper, the conversation highlights how communion is...
-
Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Walking in Faith Over Fear | The Branch
Have you ever sensed God calling you to something while feeling afraid at the same time? On this episode of The Branch, Pastor Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastor Chris Reed and Pastor Anthony Lombardi for an honest conversation about being empowered by the Holy Spirit. You will hear them walk...
-
The Holy Spirit, Suffering, and the Prayers We Cannot Pray | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch podcast, Pastor Chris Reed sits down with Pastor Matthew Johnson to revisit Sunday's message from Romans 8. Together they talk about suffering, God's plan for our lives, and how the Holy Spirit prays for us when we don't have the words. You'll hear both pastors share...
-
Finding Peace When the Storm Continues | The Branch
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by anxiety, even when you know God is good? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Anthony Lombardi rejoins Pastor Matthew Johnson and Pastor Chris Reed for an honest, personal conversation about finding peace when the storm does not seem to end. Listeners…
more -
Learning to Recognize and Respond to God's Voice | The Branch
Pastor Chris Reed and Pastor Matthew Johnson dig deeper into Matthew's recent sermon on hearing God's voice. They talk through why believers still need the Spirit's specific guidance beyond scripture's general wisdom, the difference between seeking a sign and seeking His voice, and what to do…
more -
Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit | The Branch
Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit nudge you to do something, but talked yourself out of it before you could act? That quiet prompting to pray for someone, to reach out, to step into something uncomfortable, that is the Holy Spirit at work. In this week's Branch Podcast, Pastor Anthony Lombardi...
-
Transformed by the Spirit | The Branch
True transformation is not a sprint, and it is not a marathon. It is a lifestyle. In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Chris and Pastor Matthew talk honestly about what it looks like to let the Holy Spirit shape, correct, and lead us toward the life God designed, if we are willing to...
-
Learning to Live with the Holy Spirit | The Branch
Have you ever felt God moving in your life but didn't have the words to describe it? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew and Pastor Chris sit down for an honest, personal conversation about the Holy Spirit. They share their very different spiritual backgrounds, one shaped by a...
-
Faith and Science Playing Nice | The Branch
Faith and science are often put on opposite sides, but Pastor Chris Reed, Pastor Anthony Lombardi, and Pastor Matthew Johnson do not think that tension has to exist. In this episode of The Branch Podcast, the three pastors go deeper on Pastor Tim's recent message and work through some of the...
-
Conviction Without Compromise: Truth, Grace, and the Way of Jesus | The Branch
What does it actually mean to believe Jesus is the only way in a world that says every path leads to the same place? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Chris Reed sits down with Pastor Matthew Johnson for an honest and grounded conversation about truth, relativism, and the exclusivity of…
more -
Can the Bible Be Trusted? | Deconstruction, Doubt, and Rebuilding Faith | The Branch
Why do so many people struggle to trust the Bible? In this episode, we explore some of the biggest questions driving deconstruction—hypocrisy, suffering, culture, contradictions, science, and authority—and discuss how faith can be reconstructed on truth instead of emotion, misinformation, or bad...
-
Social Media Driven Theology | The Branch
Social media has put theology in everyone's pocket - but is it forming us or deforming us? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony Lombardi, Matthew Johnson, and Chris Reed examine the world of Christian influencers and short-form theological content. They explore why platform size...
-
Humble Faith: Holding Truth, Questions, and Trust Together | The Branch
What does it look like to deconstruct and reconstruct your faith in a healthy way? In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Chris Reed, Pastor Matthew Johnson, and Pastor Anthony Lombardi tackle that question head-on - and the answer starts with humility. The conversation covers why…
more -
Faith That Saves… or Faith That Moves? | The Branch
What does saving faith actually require - and has the church made it too easy? In this episode of The Branch, Pastor Matthew Johnson, Pastor Anthony Lombardi, and Pastor Chris Reed have an honest and searching conversation about faith: what it means at the moment of salvation, how it grows…
more -
“The Spiritual Realm” | The Branch
What does the Bible actually say about the spiritual realm - and how does it affect the everyday life of a Christian? In this episode of The Branch, Pastor Anthony Lombardi, Pastor Matthew Johnson, and Pastor Chris Reed take on one of the most misunderstood topics in the Christian faith. The...
-
The Branch | Episode 100: A Theological Journey
Episode 100 of The Branch Podcast brings Pastors Matthew Johnson, Anthony Lombardi, and Chris Reed together for one of their most candid conversations to date. The episode opens with a look back at some of the funniest moments from ministry life before turning to the story of how The Branch began…
more -
The Immigration Debate Christians Can’t Avoid | The Branch
Immigration is one of the most complex and emotionally charged topics of our cultural moment. In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew Johnson, Anthony Lombardi, and Chris Reed approach the conversation not from a political platform but from a biblical one. Drawing on Scripture from...
-
Evangelism | The Branch
What does it really mean to share your faith — and do you have to be a theologian to do it? In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris have an open, encouraging conversation about evangelism. They define what evangelism is, why the ultimate goal is relationship…
more -
The Sovereignty of God | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Chris, Matthew, and Anthony discuss the sovereignty of God and how it anchors believers in peace. What does it mean that God is in control? How do we reconcile human choice with divine authority? And how should Christians respond to cultural fear,...
-
When to Wait, When to Work | The Branch
When is God calling you to step forward in faith, and when is He asking you to step back and trust Him? In this episode of The Branch, Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastors Anthony Lombardi and Pastor Chris Reed to talk through the tension between action and surrender. Sometimes obedience means...
-
Anger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The Branch
In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Anthony Lombardi sits down with Pastor Matthew Johnson and Pastor Chris Reed to discuss a challenging topic from the book of Psalms. Some of the psalms include prayers where the writers cry out to God in anger and ask Him to bring judgment against…
more -
Navigating God's Calling Within Marriage | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris discuss a thoughtful question many married couples face. Can God call one spouse to make a major life change that the other spouse does not agree with? Through honest dialogue and real-life examples, the pastors talk…
more -
Discerning Between Good and Evil | The Branch
In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Chris Reed is joined by Pastor Anthony Lombardi for an honest and thoughtful conversation about how Christians discern good and evil in a complicated world. With culture, politics, and media often pulling in competing directions, the Pastors reflect…
more -
Redefining Success | The Branch
In this episode of the Branch Podcast, pastors Anthony Lombardi, Matthew Johnson, and Chris Reed talk honestly about what it means to live a successful life as a Christian. Rather than measuring success by money, influence, career advancement, or recognition, the conversation reframes success as...
-
What A Pastor Means When They Say… | The Branch
In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastors Chris Reed, Matthew Johnson, and Anthony Lombardi unpack what pastors really mean when they encourage everyday practices like reading the Bible, prayer, worship, going to church, and loving your neighbor. Rather than presenting these as religious...
-
Unity | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastor Anthony Lombardi and Pastor Chris Reid for an honest and thoughtful conversation about unity. What does unity actually mean in the church, and how does it differ from uniformity? How should Christians navigate...
-
Prosperity Theology | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris take a look at prosperity theology and why it often creates confusion within the Christian faith. They unpack the idea that faith or obedience guarantees wealth, health, or happiness, and contrast it with what Scripture...
-
The Good and Bad of Tech | The Branch
Artificial intelligence is becoming a normal part of life, and many people are unsure how to think about it. In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris talk through the opportunities and challenges AI brings to followers of Jesus. They discuss how technology can...
-
Jesus and the Kingdom of God | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Anthony, Matthew, and Chris take a closer look at what Jesus meant when He spoke about the kingdom of God. They talk through why this theme appears so often in His teaching, how His life showed what God’s reign looks like, and what it means for...
-
Loving God With All Your Heart | The Branch
In this episode of the Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew and Pastor Chris sit down for an honest conversation about what it means to love God, love others, and also learn to love ourselves in a healthy way. They walk through how love shapes our thoughts, emotions, spiritual rhythms, and daily…
more -
We Answer Your Questions | The Branch
In this Branch Podcast Q&A episode, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris take on real questions from listeners about faith, Scripture, and life’s most challenging topics. Together they discuss reconciliation, fasting, sexuality, baptism, and why God allows suffering, all through the lens of...
-
Practicing Submission | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Chris, and Anthony talk about what it really means to live a life of biblical submission. They look at Philippians 2 and Ephesians 5 to show how Jesus modeled humility and obedience, even when it came at a cost. The pastors unpack why...
-
Deconstructing Deconstruction | The Branch Podcast
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew Johnson and Anthony Lombardi talk about the rise of “deconstruction” in today’s culture. They explore both healthy and unhealthy ways to question your faith, showing that doubt doesn’t have to lead to disbelief. Through personal stories…
more -
Jesus Alone Is Our Hope | The Branch Podcast
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Matthew, Anthony, and Chris share an unscripted conversation that begins with lighthearted prank stories and then shifts into a thoughtful discussion on faith, culture, and politics. Looking at Matthew 21 and Revelation 5, they explore the tension of...
-
Responding to Jesus: Lip Service or Lordship? | The Branch
Too often, we say the right things about Jesus while living lives that tell a different story. In this episode, we confront the uncomfortable truth about giving Him lip service instead of true surrender—and explore what it really means to honor Jesus with every part of our lives. If you've ever...
-
Thinking About and Responding to Tragic Events | The Branch
In the face of tragedy, how do we respond as Christians? This powerful discussion challenges us to examine our hearts and actions when confronted with evil. The central message revolves around Jesus' teaching to 'overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:21). We're reminded that our primary calling is...
-
The Pathway to Restoration: Jesus’ Teaching on Forgiveness and Reconciliation | The Branch
In this episode of The Branch Podcast, we explore Jesus' countercultural teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation and how they challenge Christians to take a posture of redemption and restoration. We dive into the practical implications of these teachings, discussing how embracing the heart of...
-
Redefining Greatness: What Jesus Really Said | The Branch
Everyone wants to be great, but how we define greatness makes all the difference. Jesus teaches that true greatness begins with humility, values the vulnerable, and is expressed through serving others. In this episode, we unpack what it means to follow Jesus into a different vision of greatness....
-
Faith in the Age of More | The Branch
In a culture where “more” often feels like the default setting, what does it mean for followers of Jesus to live with enough? In this conversation, we explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways consumerism shapes our faith, our ethics, and even our worship. We’ll discuss practical choices—from how...
-
DO I REALLY NEED CHURCH TO FOLLOW JESUS? | The Branch
Many Christians today wrestle with the question: Can’t I just follow Jesus on my own? In this episode, we unpack where that mindset comes from and how it stacks up against Scripture. We explore the impact of American individualism, the biblical model of faith in community, and the real…
more -
The Tension of Faith: Confidence, Doubt and Failure | The Branch
In this episode, we explore the story of Jesus and Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22–33. We discuss how fear, uncertainty, and failure intersect with Jesus’ authority, his presence in our struggles and his grace in our failures. Join us as we consider how this passage reshapes our...
-
Difficult Relationships | The Branch
In our journey of faith, we often grapple with the complexities of relationships. This discussion delves into the biblical perspective on who we're called to be in relationship with and how to navigate difficult interactions. We're reminded that while we're called to love everyone, we're not...
-
THE NATURE OF DESIRE | The Branch Podcast
In our exploration of desire from a Christian perspective, we uncover profound truths about our relationship with God. We learn that desire itself isn't inherently sinful, but rather a God-given mechanism that can lead us towards or away from Him. The story of Jesus and the woman at the well...
-
Wrestling with the Word: Forming Opinions through Scripture in a Divided World | The Branch
What does it really mean to “use the Bible” when forming our views on today’s most complex and controversial issues? In this episode, we ask hard questions about how scripture shapes our opinions—and whether we’re letting it lead or using it to reinforce what we already think. From immigration to...
-
Gossip and Slander | The Branch
In this powerful discussion, we delve into the destructive nature of gossip and slander, exploring how these seemingly small acts can have far-reaching consequences in our relationships and spiritual lives. Drawing from James 3, we're reminded that our tongues, though small, can set entire…
more -
How to Hear from God | The Branch
In this profound discussion on hearing God's voice, we're reminded of the incredible privilege and responsibility of divine communication. The central message revolves around the idea that God still speaks to His people today, not just through Scripture, but in various ways in our daily lives....
-
The Branch | Apologetics - The Logic of Faith
Unlike any other major faith, Christianity rises or falls on real, historical events. In this episode, we explore why the death and resurrection of Jesus aren’t just matters of belief—but of verifiable history that offers both logical and life-changing reasons to trust.
-
The Branch | Dust & Glory: The End of Life and Hope of Resurrection
Today we explore what the Bible teaches about the purpose of our physical bodies, the hope of resurrection, and how these truths shape our understanding of death and the afterlife. Join us as we address common misconceptions, the significance of burial practices, and how Christians can finish…
more -
The Branch | Are All Sins Equal? Sorting Out the Sacred Scale
Is stealing a cookie really the same as committing murder—in God’s eyes? In this episode, we dive into one of the most misunderstood ideas in Christian theology: the equality of sin. Join us as we explore Scripture, debate the difference between spiritual guilt and earthly consequences, and maybe...
-
The Branch | Can Christians Live with a Warrior Mindset?
Can followers of Christ embrace a warrior's resolve while staying true to Jesus' call to turn the other cheek? In this episode of the Branch Podcast, three friends wrestle with Scripture, history, and real-world experience to explore how faith, violence, power, and justice intersect in the life…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Branch Podcast is an in-depth conversation surrounding the topics presented on Sundays at the Tree Church.
HOSTED BY
The Tree Church
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Branch have?
The Branch currently has 115 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Branch about?
The Branch Podcast is an in-depth conversation surrounding the topics presented on Sundays at the Tree Church.
How often does The Branch release new episodes?
The Branch publishes regularly with 115 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Branch?
You can listen to The Branch on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Branch?
The Branch is created and hosted by The Tree Church.
URL copied to clipboard!