The Truth Behind The Sermon

Your calendar may be full, but that doesn’t mean your soul is healthy. We sit down with Pastor Perry to talk about the Sabbath as God designed it: not a vague self-care idea, not a bonus for people with free time, but a command that protects us from living like we’re still in Egypt. Along the way, we share the real-life ways we rest (golf, long bike rides, disc golf, reading, family time, and yes, watching a heavy rain) and why those moments can open space to hear the Lord more clearly. We unpack the heart of Shabbat, the Hebrew call to cease, and Perry’s simple framework for keeping Sabbath: rejuvenation, rejoicing, and reflection. We also name the tension a lot of Christians feel, especially in ministry, where Sunday can be the busiest day of the week. That leads to practical ideas for building a Sabbath rhythm on another day, setting expectations with your family, and preparing ahead so your “day off” doesn’t turn into another stressful sprint. The conversation gets even sharper when we compare Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. One ties Sabbath to creation, the other ties it to freedom from slavery, making rest a weekly act of resistance against hustle culture and a weekly practice of trust in God’s provision. We even talk Chick-fil-A, why closing on Sunday still works, and what you might need to stop doing so you can start living with more peace. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s running on empty, and leave a review with your biggest Sabbath struggle.

Your calendar can be full while your soul is empty, and the Bible calls that what it is: life without Sabbath. We open Exodus 20:8-11 and sit with a command most of us treat like a suggestion, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” Sabbath (Shabbat) means to cease, to stop working, to take a real intermission, and we talk about why God hardwired that rhythm into creation for your good.We also look at the surprising ways Sabbath shows up in the real world. From a study that highlights the longevity of Sabbath-keeping communities to a business example most Americans recognize, the point is simple: when you honor God’s design for rest, you stop living like everything depends on you. Sabbath becomes a weekly declaration that God is the source, God is in control, and your body and mind were never built for nonstop output.Then we go deeper into Christian Sabbath practice and Sunday worship. We trace why believers gather on the Lord’s Day, how the resurrection of Jesus shifts the focus from finished creation to new creation, and why worship is not a show you watch but praise you bring. The goal is not mere rule-keeping; it’s physical rejuvenation, spiritual renewal, and reflection that leads you back to Jesus, the only true rest for your heart.If you’re tired, distracted, or running to and fro, press play, share this with someone who needs rest, and subscribe and leave a review so more people can find it. What would you need to stop doing to truly keep a Sabbath?

The words we toss out without thinking can carry more spiritual weight than we realize. We open Exodus 20:7 and confront a command that many people reduce to “don’t cuss” even though it reaches much deeper: don’t empty God’s name of its value, don’t treat Him like background noise, and don’t represent Jesus casually with our speech or our lives.We talk through why God’s name matters so much in the Bible, from the way names reveal purpose and identity to how the Lord introduces Himself personally as Yahweh and sovereignly as Elohim. Along the way, we connect the power of God’s name to Scripture’s big moments, including David facing Goliath not with size or weapons but with the name of the Lord. That same thread runs into the New Testament, where salvation is tied to calling on the name of Jesus and living as His ambassadors in the world.Then we get practical: what does “in vain” actually mean, and how do we do it today? We challenge the obvious issue of profanity, but we also challenge passivity like empty religious repetition, weak witness, and a thankless heart that forgets God’s benefits. We close by showing what it looks like to exalt God’s name with trust and repentance, pointing to Jonah’s story and to Jesus as the greater Savior who invites us to come to the Father through Him alone.If this message helps you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find biblical teaching on the Ten Commandments, Christian living, and the power of our words.

God’s name is everywhere in our culture and that’s exactly why it’s easy to let it become weightless. We start with some honest stories about “forbidden words” at home, then pivot to a much bigger question: what does the Third Commandment actually demand when it says we must not take the Lord’s name in vain?We dig into the meaning behind “vain” as emptying or reducing value, and why this commandment goes far beyond blatant profanity. We talk about the subtle version too: the passive, casual way we can toss out “God” or “Jesus” as filler, as a punchline, or as a shortcut answer that helps us move on without reverence. From there, we explore how God introduces Himself as Elohim and Yahweh, and why knowing His name is tied to knowing His character. Worship becomes a practical counterweight, a way to retrain our hearts to exalt the Lord together in a world that keeps conditioning us toward a smaller view of God.We also sit with the sobering warning of Matthew 7 and the difference between using the name of Christ and actually knowing Christ. Then we get practical: giving God our “firsts” at the start of the day, guarding our speech in public spaces, and using a distinct life as a natural doorway to share the gospel. We close with a family-focused challenge to teach our kids God’s Word and the names of God, connecting Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, and more to real-life needs and real trust.If this helped you reset how you speak and what you honor, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

The Ten Commandments might be the most quoted part of the Old Testament and also one of the most misunderstood. We sat down to talk about Exodus, Mount Sinai, and why God’s laws are not random restrictions but a personal invitation to know Him and live a transformed life built on truth.We dig into the first commands about worship and idolatry, then ask the uncomfortable question: what do idols look like now? For most of us, they are not statues, they are priorities. Comfort, control, schedules, sports, screens, success, even the “you do you” mindset can quietly take God’s place. We also unpack what it means that God calls Himself a jealous God, and why that jealousy is not pettiness but covenant love that protects what belongs to Him.From there we zoom out to the big worldview issue: can all religions be true at the same time? We talk about how Scripture presents God’s self-revelation, why Jesus is not merely a moral teacher, and why the cross and resurrection sit at the center of Christian faith. Finally, we wrestle with the purpose of the law, the trap of legalism, and how grace in Jesus changes obedience from a checklist into an outflow of love.If you want practical Christian discipleship, clarity on biblical truth, and a fresh way to understand the Ten Commandments today, press play, then share this with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review. What “idol” do you most need to put back in its place?

The Second Commandment sounds simple until you realize how creative the human heart can be. We turn to Exodus 20 and ask a question that cuts through religious noise and modern distractions: who is actually sitting on the throne of your life?We talk about idolatry the way the Bible does, not just statues and ancient carvings, but anything we treat as our source. Along the way, we explore why God says He is “jealous” and why that jealousy is not petty but loving and protective. We also draw a bright line between resources and the Source, because money, jobs, retirement accounts, and even government can quietly become functional gods when our trust and attention revolve around them.Then we go straight at the big claim at the center of Christianity. Jesus says He is the way, the truth, and the life, and we explain why “all religions are the same” doesn’t fit with what Jesus actually said. We share accessible historical evidence for Jesus outside the Bible, including references to Tacitus and Josephus, and we ask the honest question every skeptic has to answer: if Christianity is true, will you become a Christian?If you want a Christ-centered sermon on the Ten Commandments, the Second Commandment, and practical spiritual growth, press play and listen with an open Bible and an open heart. Subscribe, share this message with a friend, and leave a review that helps more people find it.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

On this weeks episode, Pastor Perry, Chaston, Ryan, and Tray explores Exodus 16–17 all while discussing God’s provision in the wilderness, the struggle with contentment, and how trusting God’s sovereignty shapes our daily faith. This special episode offers practical insight and honest conversation about gratitude, dependence on God, and learning to trust Him in every season.

In this episode, Ryan, Tray, Chaston, and Pastor Perry continues 2026 with a conversation centered on worship and what it really means to honor God. The team starts with lighthearted stories about unforgettable “first-time” experiences before turning to a deeper question raised in Pastor Perry’s sermon: can something that once felt brand new ever be experienced the same way again?Drawing from Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, the group explores how worship is often shaped by preferences, traditions, and personal opinions and how Jesus challenges all of that. Pastor Perry unpacks the truth that genuine worship isn’t about location, style, or comfort, but about worshiping God in spirit and in truth.Together, the team reflects on why we worship, what God is truly looking for, and how worship becomes a natural response to who God is and what He has done. This episode invites listeners to move beyond preference-driven faith and step into a deeper, more authentic life of praise.

In this The Truth Behind the Sermon episode, the team reflects on Pastor Perry’s message and the role of prayer as we begin a new year. Through Mark 9 and relatable stories, we talk about faith, doubt, and what happens when God invites us to trust Him with what we can’t fix. This conversation reminds us why prayer is central to the life of the church and to following Jesus daily.

In this week’s episode Pastor Perry, Chaston, Tray, and guest Ryan O’Kelly start with laughter over favorite road-trip snacks before diving into Exodus 13:17–22, exploring why God sometimes takes us the long way around.Ryan shares a powerful personal testimony about walking through a cancer diagnosis and how God has shown His faithfulness even on unexpected roads. Together, the team reflects on how God uses detours to form His people turning slaves into soldiers, and the wilderness into a workshop of faith.They also unpack the story of Joseph’s bones, showing how God always finishes what He starts and how our lives, like Joseph’s, can become a “sermon in motion” that points others to Jesus.This episode is a heartfelt reminder that even when life doesn’t follow the shortest route, God’s way is always the best way shaping us, strengthening us, and guiding us home.

In this week’s episode Pastor Perry, Ryan, Chaston, and Tray kick things off with laughter and some unexpected talents from beatboxing to Mario Kart victories before diving deep into Exodus 13 and what it means that “the first belongs to God.”Together, they unpack how redemption began with Jesus Himself the spotless Lamb who redeemed the unclean and what that teaches us about faith, giving, and divine order. The conversation turns personal as they discuss why blessing is linked to putting God first, how giving is really a response to redemption, and why generosity is less about money and more about trusting God’s worthiness.This episode beautifully ties ancient truth to modern life reminding every believer that when we put God first, in every area, we open the door for His presence and blessing to shape everything else.

In this episode the team reflects on Exodus 12:42–51 and what it means to let God guide our lives. They kick things off with a fun chat about pumpkin coffee and life advice before diving deep into a powerful truth: success isn’t measured by results, but by obedience.Tray, Pastor Perry, Pastor Ryan, and new Worship Pastor Chaston share honest stories about trusting God when life doesn’t make sense from unexpected career moves to seasons of waiting and transformation. Together, they explore how God doesn’t just lead us forward; He changes our identity and calls us His own.This episode reminds us that following Jesus isn’t about self-improvement or control. It’s about surrender, trust, and transformation as we let the Lord lead the way home.

This week Pastor Perry, Ryan, Chaston, and Tray start with a lighthearted conversation about their biggest fears from snakes to elevators, caves, and even climbing roofs before diving into Exodus 12:23–41 to explore how God’s promises give us security in fearful times.Together, they discuss what it means to truly trust that God holds the future, even when life feels uncertain or out of control. Through honest personal stories, laughter, and Scripture, they reveal how fear often comes from the unknown, but faith reminds us that the same God who sustained us before will sustain us again.This episode is a heartfelt reminder that when the bottom falls out, God’s still holding you and that our greatest security comes not from what we control, but from the One who conquered fear itself.

In this week's episode Tray, Perry, Ryan, and our new Worship Pastor Chaston Miller kick things off debating an age-old question: Is a hot dog a sandwich?But what starts with laughs quickly turns to something deeper, a conversation on breaking bread, communion, and what it really means to remember what God has done.From Exodus 12 and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the team unpacks how God calls us to remove the “leaven” from our lives, prepare our hearts for worship, and never let routine replace relationship.Whether you’re listening on your lunch break or on the way to midweek service, this episode will help you refocus your heart on worship, gratitude, and living a life that remembers.

In this sermon, Pastor Perry explores the Feast of Unleavened Bread and shows how Jesus transformed it into what we know as Communion.Unleavened bread was a memorial of Israel’s freedom from Egypt made without yeast because they had to leave in a hurry. Jesus then redefined that bread as His body, broken for our freedom from sin.The sermon revolves around two powerful questions:I. Will you recall what He’s done?II. How will you respond?With vivid illustrations from communion on the moon to the “Rover’s leftovers” story this message shows that breaking bread is more than eating. It’s remembering, repenting, and realigning our lives with Christ.Breaking Bread is not just a moment at the table. It’s a lifestyle of living in the freedom Jesus paid for.

What does a lamb have to do with freedom, forgiveness, and a brand-new start?In this week’s episode of Behind the Sermon, Tray, Perry, and Ryan take a closer look at Exodus 12 and unpack the meaning behind “Why We All Need a Passover Lamb.”  From ancient Egypt’s afterlife beliefs to the powerful symbolism of the lamb’s blood over the doorpost, the team connects every detail back to Jesus our ultimate Passover Lamb.They talk about new beginnings, spiritual resets, and what it really means to be adopted into God’s family. Plus, things kick off with a hilarious debate about fighting 100 mouse-sized lions or one lion-sized mouse because every deep conversation deserves a good laugh first.If you’ve ever needed a reminder that God offers new life, real freedom, and lasting security, this episode will encourage your heart and strengthen your faith.

In this week’s message from Exodus 12, Perry unpacks the meaning behind the Passover Lamb and how it points directly to Jesus our perfect, unblemished sacrifice. Through the powerful image of the lamb’s blood covering the doorposts, we’re reminded that true security, salvation, and a brand-new start come only through Christ.Discover how the timing of the first Passover connects to the cross, why God’s plan of redemption has always been about the Lamb, and how His protection still covers His people today.If Jesus is your Passover Lamb, you can be certain of heaven, assured of a new beginning, and confident that God will fight for you.