The Nexus Podcast: Love God and Love People

The guys discuss identifying your Spiritual Gifts and how to know what your gifts are? Digging into Romans 12 for Biblical examples and understanding why we all have different gifts to share.

This episode digs into 1 Peter 2:8-25 and asks the question... do they know that you are a Christian? The guys take a look at what our purpose is as followers of Christ and how that might look from the outside.

Pastor Ron and the guys discuss the story of Joseph and how God continued to allow him into difficult, hurtful, dangerous, unfortunate situations. Gods plan sometimes hurts, but every step is meant to prepare us for our future successes. From his brothers threatening to kill him, throwing him a pit, selling him, false accusations, prison... to being the second in command of Egypt and ultimately forgiving and blessing the same family that hated him. Gods ways are so good.

Pastor Ron and the guys are back to talk about friendship, how it is a gift from God, and why it matters. Should best friends be worried about your feelings or telling you the truth? We turn to 1 Samuel 18:1-5 and 23:15-18 and examine the relationship between David and Jonathan.

After a long break Pastor Ron, Jack and Tony talk about two different sections of the Old Testament. Daniel 3:16-28, where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defy the king and take a stand for their God. Then they turn to 1 Samuel 3, and talk about how Hannah was faithful to God in her prayers, and her actions. In both cases these stories show us people that are all in for God.

While so many people are searching for belonging, it is important for us all to remember that we are not alone, in fact we belong to Jesus. This week Pastor Ron and the guys discuss what life would look like if we lived expecting to encounter Jesus tomorrow. None of us knows when life will end, which is why we need to bear responsibility for sharing truth with our friends and the people we care about. How do we encourage those around us and choose who to surround ourselves with.

God didn't create us to do life alone. Pastor Ron and the guys are talking about how the people God has given us can be a source of encouragement, comfort, joy and a mirror to see our effects on the world. Not that we should define our value based on the thoughts of other people, that can only be determined by God. Finally they look at the crutch of the snooze button. Are you going through life giving your best or are you living with a snooze button.

In this episode Pastor Ron and the boys move into section 2 of our Dig Your Roots Deep Book vol.4 to the topic of belonging and what that looks and feels like. As people we all want to belong, whether thats at school, on teams, at home or at work. The feeling of belonging is something that we all desire. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that we belong to God and that we were bought with a price. Where do you find your belonging? Do you have a hard time realizing that God wants a relationship with you so badly that he paid the ultimate price to have your belonging? Let us know in the comments.

In this episode Pastor Ron and crew look to Galatians 5:1 and ask the question, is it enough to simply follow the rules and do what we are supposed to do, or is it more about our attitude in the moment? We look at Matthew 11:28-30 to as how do we find peace and freedom when we are going through difficult times? If we lose sight of God, does God loose sight of us? So many good nuggets in this episode.

In this episode Pastor Ron, Jack, and Tony discuss the difference between feelings and truth. We go to Romans 8:1-4 and the understanding that we have no condemnation in Christ Jesus. The reminder that he paid the price for our sin, so although we can't be perfect, we are made perfect through His blood. The big question of the day is how does Gods mercy help us to strengthen our true identity? (This episode will go down as the one with no video, but its important to remember in life we will make mistakes, and screw up. So please forgive us... We are doing the best we can.)

Pastor Ron and the guys discuss The Beatitudes out of Matthew 5. They talk about the difference between saying you're sorry and really grieving over your sin. When Jesus says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." what does He mean. Lastly we look at how parents and teens can work together in their communication to be the merciful peacemakers.

Pastor Ron and the boys talk about the idea of popularity and what that concept actually means. Then they dig into Philippians 3:4-11 and what that looks like today. Are we only giving God our brokenness, or our good times as well? A look at Psalm 16:11 and the difference between joy and happiness. Let us know your thoughts!

Introduction to the Nexus Podcast. We discuss identity, belonging and purpose. We cover week 1 by diving into 1 Samuel 28:8-19, looking at the question "how do we define or value." Then explore week 2 by discussing Ecclesiastes 12 and what happens when we have a mixed-up identity.