The UnCommon Christian Podcast

You’ve prayed about it. You’ve repented of it. You told yourself this was the last time… and then you ended up right back in it. So why does this keep happening? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis breaks down the real reason you keep going back to the same sin, pattern, or struggle—and why trying harder hasn’t worked. Because you’re not dealing with a habit. You’re dealing with a stronghold. Strongholds aren’t just external attacks—they are internal belief systems built over time. And until those beliefs are dismantled, the cycle continues. This episode walks through what a stronghold actually is according to Scripture, why behavior-based solutions fall short, and how to break the pattern at the root. If you’ve ever felt stuck in something you genuinely want to be free from, this episode will give you clarity and a real path forward. Why do you keep going back to the same thing—even when you don’t want it anymore? In this episode, Jon Ellis exposes the real reason cycles don’t break: it’s not just behavior—it’s belief. Learn what a stronghold actually is and how to break it by exposing the lie, replacing it with truth, and living in obedience—even when it’s hard.

Why can’t you break that pattern—even when you know it’s wrong? In this episode, Jon Ellis reveals that the issue isn’t just behavior—it’s belief. Many believers try to change what they do without ever confronting what they believe, which is why cycles continue. Through Scripture and practical application, this episode unpacks how strongholds are formed in the mind, how agreement gives patterns power, and what it actually takes to walk in freedom. If you’ve been stuck in the same cycle, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you clear steps to break it for good. You’re not stuck. You’re aligned. In this episode, Jon Ellis breaks down why patterns in your life don’t change—even when you want them to. The problem isn’t just behavior. It’s belief. Learn how strongholds are formed, how agreement fuels cycles, and how to break patterns at the root by aligning with truth.

Title: You’re Fighting the Wrong Battle (It’s Not What You Think) Most believers aren’t losing because they don’t love God… They’re losing because they’re fighting the wrong battle. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis breaks down one of the most misunderstood areas of the Christian life: the difference between your flesh and real spiritual warfare. Not everything is the devil. Not everything is you. And sometimes—it’s both. If you don’t learn how to discern the difference, you’ll keep misdiagnosing the fight… and using the wrong weapon every time. In this episode, you’ll learn: ● The difference between flesh, spiritual warfare, and when both are at work ● Why some struggles are not attacks—but appetites ● How the enemy actually works (and why it starts in your thoughts) ● Why misdiagnosing your battle leads to repeated defeat ● How to start winning consistently with clarity and biblical strategy This isn’t about trying harder. It’s about seeing clearer. Because clarity determines victory. You’re not losing because you’re weak. You’re losing because you’re fighting the wrong battle. Not everything is spiritual warfare. Some of it is your flesh. And some of it is both. If you don’t learn to tell the difference… you’ll stay stuck. This episode will change how you fight, and how you win

You love God… so why do you keep losing battles you thought you’d already won? Most Christians have been taught how to fight sin, but not how to live free. So they keep trying harder, pushing more, and falling into the same cycles of frustration. But what if the problem isn’t your effort…What if it’s where you’re fighting from? In this episode, Jon Ellis breaks down what Scripture actually teaches about spiritual warfare, identity, and why so many believers feel stuck, even though Jesus already won the war. You’ll learn: ● Why fighting for victory keeps you stuck ● What it means to actually fight from victory ● How your identity shapes your ability to overcome ● Why willpower fails in spiritual battles ● How to take control of your thoughts before they control you This isn’t just about resisting sin. This is about learning how to walk in freedom. Title: How Christians Fight (Stop Losing Battles You Should Be Winning) You don’t lose because you don’t love God… You lose because you’re fighting the wrong way. In this episode, Jon Ellis breaks down how to fight from victory, not for it, and why most believers stay stuck in battles Jesus already won.

You love God… So why does it still feel like a fight every single day? Same struggles. Same temptations. Same cycles you thought you were done with. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis exposes a truth most believers have never fully understood: You’re not fighting for victory… you’re learning how to live from it. The cross didn’t just forgive you, it paid for your freedom. And the resurrection didn’t just prove Jesus is alive, it declared that the war is already over. So why are so many believers still living like the outcome is undecided? In UNC031, you’ll discover: ● Why the internal battle is real, but the ultimate war is already finished ● How misunderstanding the cross keeps you stuck in cycles ● The difference between being forgiven and actually walking in freedom ● Why willpower isn’t enough, and what actually leads to transformation ● How to stop fighting a defeated enemy and start living in victory Here’s the Uncommon Truth: You’re not fighting for victory… you’re learning how to live from it. If you’ve ever felt stuck, exhausted, or frustrated in your walk with God, this episode will shift your perspective and give you a clear path forward. The war is not waiting to be won… it’s waiting to be believed. You love God… so why does it still feel like a fight? In this episode, Jon Ellis breaks down a powerful truth most believers miss: the war is already over. If you feel stuck in cycles of sin, frustration, or spiritual exhaustion, this will change how you see the cross, the resurrection, and your everyday battle. You’re not fighting for victory… you’re learning how to live from it.

You love God. You want to obey Him. So why do you keep doing the very thing you said you’d stop? This isn’t just a discipline issue. This isn’t just a lack of willpower. There is a war happening inside of you, and most believers have never been taught how to fight it. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis exposes the internal battle described in Scripture, the tension between flesh and Spirit, and why so many believers stay stuck in cycles of frustration, guilt, and defeat. We’re not talking about surface-level behavior modification.We’re talking about transformation from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt like: ● “Why do I keep going back to this?” ● “Why does obedience feel harder than sin?” ● “Am I the only one struggling like this?” This episode will open your eyes and give you a clear, biblical path forward. Because victory doesn’t come from trying harder…It comes from walking differently. Scriptures covered: Galatians 5:16–17 Romans 7:15–25 James 1:14–15 Here’s the Uncommon Truth: You don’t lose because you don’t love God… You lose because you’re trying to fight a spiritual war with natural strength. If this episode challenges you, share it with someone who’s been fighting silently. And if you’re ready to go deeper, grab the book I’ve Prayed the Prayer at TheUncommonChristian.com You’re not weak, you’re in a war. This episode exposes why obedience feels so hard and how to actually win the battle inside you.

What if the freedom you’ve been chasing… isn’t actually freedom? In today’s culture, freedom is defined as doing whatever you want, following your feelings, and living your truth. But what if that definition is incomplete, or even misleading? In this episode, we unpack a powerful truth that challenges the way most people think: what culture calls freedom, Jesus often calls bondage. You’ll discover why sin rarely looks like chains at first, how deception works by redefining truth, and why the very things people turn to for freedom often end up controlling them. We also explore the idea that obedience isn’t restriction, it’s protection. Just like guardrails on a mountain road, God’s commands aren’t there to limit your life, but to preserve it. Most importantly, you’ll hear what real freedom actually looks like, the kind of freedom that doesn’t just change your behavior, but transforms who you become. If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, or unsure why “freedom” hasn’t delivered what you expected… this episode is for you. You think you’re free… but what if you’re actually trapped? This episode challenges everything culture says about freedom and reveals why following your feelings and doing whatever you want might be the very thing holding you back. Discover how real freedom is found….not in self-rule…..but in truth.

Why does doing what God says sometimes feel harder than doing what we know is wrong? Many believers quietly struggle with this tension. We know what Scripture says. We feel the Holy Spirit prompting us. Yet something inside us still hesitates. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis explores why obedience can feel difficult in the moment and why sin often seems easier at first. Drawing from powerful biblical examples like Peter stepping out of the boat and Abraham trusting God with Isaac, this episode reveals a truth many Christians overlook: obedience rarely begins with full understanding. Sin promises immediate comfort, control, and relief. Obedience often requires faith before we see the outcome. But Scripture consistently shows that real freedom, growth, and transformation happen on the other side of obedience. If you've ever felt the tension between what God is asking and what feels easier in the moment, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take the next step of faith. Because uncommon faith is not built by accident. It grows through everyday obedience. In this episode, Jon Ellis explores the tension many believers quietly face between knowing what God says and actually doing it. From Peter stepping out of the boat to Abraham trusting God on the mountain, Scripture shows that obedience often requires faith before understanding. Sin promises immediate reward, but obedience leads to lasting freedom. If you want to grow deeper in your faith and stop negotiating with obedience, this episode will challenge you to take the next step. #christiandiscipleship, #obedience, #followingjesus, #faithinpractice, #christianpodcast, #theuncommonchristian, #biblicaltruth, #spiritledlife, #christianfaith, #walkwithgod, #faithoverfeelings, #christianencouragement, #Bible, #Jesus, #HolySpirit

Most Christians were told how to believe in Jesus. Very few were actually shown how to follow Him. Somewhere along the way, Christianity in the modern world became centered around decisions instead of discipleship. We invited people to pray a prayer, attend church, and try to live a good life, but many believers were never shown what it actually means to walk with Jesus day by day. And the result is something many people quietly feel but rarely talk about. They believe in Jesus… but they feel stuck. They love God… but they don’t know what following Him is supposed to look like. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis breaks down the difference between belief and discipleship, why so many Christians feel spiritually stalled, and what Jesus actually meant when He said: "Follow Me." This conversation will challenge assumptions, bring clarity to what real discipleship looks like, and help you take the next step toward living the kind of faith Jesus actually called people to. Because Christianity was never meant to be casual. It was meant to transform your life. Most Christians were taught how to believe in Jesus, but very few were ever shown how to follow Him. In this episode, Jon Ellis explores the gap between belief and discipleship, why so many believers feel stuck, and what Jesus actually meant when He said, “Follow Me.” If you’ve ever felt like faith was supposed to be deeper than what you’ve experienced, this conversation will help you understand why.

What if Christianity didn’t become casual… What if we simply stopped repeating what Jesus actually said? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis walks through Luke 14, John 6, and several defining encounters from the Gospels to rediscover a truth many modern believers rarely hear clearly: Jesus never hid the cost of following Him. He said: Count the cost. Take up your cross. Deny yourself. Sell everything. And when people walked away… He let them. This episode isn’t about harsh religion or legalism. It’s about clarity. Because when the cost is unclear, faith feels unfair. But when the cost is counted, endurance becomes possible. If you’ve ever wondered: ● Why does following Jesus feel harder than I expected? ● Was I invited to surrender…..or just inspiration? ● What does real discipleship actually look like? This conversation will steady you, challenge you, and call you higher. Strong faith is not built on comfort. It’s built on clarity. And clarity produces uncommon Christians. What if the problem isn’t casual Christianity… but unclear expectations? Jesus never hid the cost. He clarified it. In this episode, Jon Ellis walks through Luke 14 and John 6 to show why surrender was never optional, and why clarity, not comfort, builds enduring faith.

What if people aren’t walking away from Jesus… What if they’re walking away from a version of Him that was never deep enough to carry them through a storm? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, Jon Ellis tackles a sobering question: What did casual Christianity produce? When decisions outpace discipleship… When attendance outpaces obedience… When growth outpaces depth… Faith may look strong, until pressure hits. Through John 6, Matthew 13, cultural realities, revival at Southeastern University, and the taproot analogy, this episode exposes why shallow faith collapses under weight, and how rooted faith endures. This is not an attack on the church. It’s a call to build deeper. If you’ve ever wondered: ● Why so many believers deconstruct under pressure ● Why leadership burnout feels epidemic ● Why emotional faith doesn’t survive suffering ● How to build endurance instead of excitement This episode is for you. Because shallow faith won’t survive what’s coming. But rooted faith will. What if people aren’t walking away from Jesus, but from a version of Him that can’t carry them through a storm? In UNC025, Jon Ellis exposes what happens when churches grow wide but not deep. Through John 6, Matthew 13, and real cultural pressure, this episode reveals why shallow faith collapses, and how rooted faith endures. Moments don’t create endurance. Depth does.

How did Christianity become this casual? How did a faith that once required surrender turn into something that rarely disrupts us? In this episode, Jon Ellis traces the subtle shift that took place in modern American Christianity; a shift from discipleship to decisions, from formation to momentary response, from surrender to convenience. This isn’t an attack on evangelism. It’s not criticism of church growth. It’s a call back to biblical discipleship. Jesus never hid the cost. He clarified it. When the cost of following Him isn’t explained clearly, faith feels confusing. Shallow roots develop. Comfort becomes assumed. And casual Christianity slowly becomes normal. In this episode, Jon explores: • How altar-call culture unintentionally shifted the focus from discipleship to decision • Why unexplained cost creates fragile faith • How cultural Christianity replaces covenant obedience • What Jesus actually meant when He said, “Count the cost” • And how to return to true, Spirit-led discipleship If your faith has felt heavier lately, this may not mean something is wrong. It may mean you’re finally encountering the part of discipleship that trains you. Depth is still available. Uncommon faith is still possible. And surrender is still the way forward. How did Christianity become this casual? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis explores the subtle shift from discipleship to decisions, and why so many believers were taught how to start faith but not how to sustain it. Jesus never lowered the standard. If your faith feels heavier than expected, this episode will help you understand why, and how to return to true, Spirit-led discipleship.

Faithful doesn’t always feel peaceful. Sometimes it feels heavy. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis speaks directly to believers who haven’t quit, haven’t compromised, and haven’t walked away, but are tired in a way rest alone doesn’t fix. This conversation reframes weariness through Scripture, not shame. You’ll learn the difference between burnout and betrayal, why growing weary doesn’t mean you’re failing, and how God responds to faithful exhaustion with care, not condemnation. Drawing from Galatians 6, Isaiah 40, 1 Kings 19, Mark 6, Hebrews 12, and Romans 8, this episode offers clarity, permission to rest without quitting, and reassurance that endurance seasons are often evidence of real faith. If following Jesus feels heavier than you expected, this episode will help you understand why, and remind you that you’re not behind, broken, or disqualified. You may simply be faithful… and exhausted. You’re not weak. You’re not broken. You’re tired. In this episode, Jon Ellis speaks to believers who are still faithful but worn down, helping you discern the difference between burnout and betrayal, rest without quitting, and silence the voice of condemnation. A steady, Scripture-rooted reminder that weariness doesn’t mean failure, and God strengthens those who stay. #FaithfulButExhausted, #TheUncommonChristian, #ChristianPodcast, #EnduranceFaith, #SpiritualWeariness, #Bible, #Christian, #Romans8, #Galatians6, #StayFaithful, #SpiritLedLife, #ChristianEncouragement, #Jesus, #HolySpirit

Following Jesus doesn’t just change what you believe; it changes your direction. And whenever direction changes, resistance shows up. Many believers are surprised by how much harder obedience feels after they commit to following Jesus. More tension. More pressure. More internal conflict. And when no one explains why, faithful people start assuming something is wrong with them. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis unpacks why resistance often increases after obedience, and why that’s not a sign of failure, but confirmation that realignment is happening. Drawing from Scripture (John 16, Romans 6, Galatians 5, Hebrews 12, James 1), Jon explains: ● Why new allegiance always creates friction ● Why internal tension is often evidence of spiritual life, not weakness ● How drifting feels easier than walking, but costs you more in the end ● Why God does His deepest work before you see any outward fruit If obedience feels heavier than you expected, this conversation will help you name your season, recalibrate your expectations, and stay faithful long enough to be changed. You’re not weak. You’re not behind. You’re being shaped. Why does following Jesus feel harder after you obey? In this episode, Jon Ellis explains why realignment brings resistance — and why that resistance often means something real is happening, not that you missed God.

Pressure doesn’t just test obedience, it amplifies voices. In this episode, Jon Ellis goes deeper into what happens internally when pressure increases. Why doubts feel louder. Why thoughts feel heavier. And why faithful believers often start questioning themselves, not because their faith is weak, but because pressure removes the filters. Using Scripture from 1 Kings 19 and James 1, this episode explores how pressure exposes which voices we’re listening to, how accusation leads to confusion, and how discernment can be strengthened when everything feels noisy. This conversation builds directly off the YouTube message “You’re Not Weak…. You’re Under Pressure” and is designed to help believers stay clear, steady, and obedient when pressure hasn’t let up. Pressure doesn’t mean you’re failing, but it does reveal what you’re listening to. In UNC021, Jon Ellis explores how pressure amplifies voices, tests discernment, and exposes the difference between conviction and accusation. This episode helps believers recognize internal noise, strengthen spiritual clarity, and remain faithful when obedience feels slow and costly.

Why God Uses Faithful People Who Refuse to Move Sometimes obedience doesn’t look like progress. Sometimes faith doesn’t feel victorious. And sometimes standing still feels like failure. In UNC020, Jon Ellis speaks directly to believers who didn’t quit, didn’t compromise, and didn’t walk away, but still feel stuck because nothing has changed. Using Exodus 14 and the moment Israel stood trapped at the Red Sea, this episode reframes waiting as positioning, not punishment. You’ll learn why standing can be the most obedient move you make, why silence doesn’t mean God is absent, and how God often moves only after obedience removes every other option. If you’re faithful but frustrated… If you’re obeying but exhausted… If you’re standing and wondering if it even matters… This episode will help you understand what God is doing while you wait—and why positioned people always see God move. Standing still can feel like failure, but in the Kingdom, it’s often positioning. In UNC020, Jon Ellis explains why obedience doesn’t always produce immediate results, how waiting can actually be alignment, and why God moves on behalf of those who refuse to panic their way out of position. If you’re still faithful but questioning everything, this episode is for you.

Some of you think you’re stuck, but you’re not stuck. You’re standing. And standing is exactly what the enemy hoped you’d stop doing. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis speaks directly to the believer who obeyed God, stood firm, and refused to compromise, but is now growing tired of doing the right thing with no visible results. Drawing from Ephesians 6:13, Galatians 6:9, and the example of Jesus in Gethsemane, this episode reveals why standing isn’t passive, why endurance is spiritual warfare, and how pressure is often the enemy’s strategy when temptation fails. If you’ve been faithful, tired, and wondering if obedience is still worth it, this episode is for you. You’re not weak. You’re not losing. You’re not faithless. You’re standing, and God is not finished. You’re not stuck, you’re standing. In this episode, Jon Ellis explains why endurance is warfare, why weariness isn’t failure, and how God uses believers who refuse to quit. If you’re tired of doing the right thing and wondering if obedience still matters, this episode will steady your faith.

Obedience was never meant to be easy, and Scripture never pretended it would be. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis exposes a truth many believers aren’t prepared for: Obedience is Warfare. If following Jesus has made your life harder, more resisted, or more pressured, not easier, you’re not failing. You’re engaged. Drawing from Ephesians 6, Galatians 5, Luke 4, and 2 Corinthians 10, this episode breaks down why resistance often confirms obedience rather than disproves it. You’ll discover how spiritual warfare usually shows up, not through dramatic encounters, but through delayed obedience, compromise, internal conflict, and thoughts that push you to quit. Jon unpacks how Jesus faced temptation, why the Spirit fills before testing, and how immediate obedience sharpens discernment. You’ll walk away with three Uncommon Steps to help you stand firm, reclaim ground, and live boldly in a culture that pressures compromise. You weren’t saved for ease. You were saved for engagement. And Spirit-filled believers don’t retreat, they stand. If obedience feels like a fight, you’re not doing it wrong, you’re engaged. In UNC018, Jon Ellis explains why following Jesus brings resistance, how obedience is spiritual warfare, and how to stand firm without backing down.

A new year doesn’t need better intentions, it needs divine power. In this New Year episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis exposes why so many believers feel spiritually exhausted: they’re trying to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit leading it. The Spirit-filled life isn’t emotional hype or theological preference — it’s the difference between survival and victory. In this episode, you’ll discover: ● Why willpower and discipline can’t sustain obedience ● What Scripture actually says about the role of the Holy Spirit ● How cultural Christianity replaced power with effort ● Practical steps to enter the new year Spirit-led, not burned out If you’re tired of striving, stuck in cycles, or hungry for real transformation, this episode resets everything. Willpower has never transformed anyone. In this New Year episode, Jon Ellis reveals why the Spirit-filled life isn’t optional, it’s essential. You don’t need a new calendar; you need new power.

Holiness didn’t disappear…..it was replaced. In this Christmas episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis confronts the quiet erosion of holiness in modern Christianity. Not legalism. Not perfectionism. But what Scripture actually means when it calls believers to live set apart, not as an image to protect, but an identity to walk in. Christmas didn’t come to make us comfortable, it came to make us holy. And when holiness is redefined or avoided, devotion fades, obedience delays, and spiritual hunger slowly dies. In this episode, you’ll discover: ● Why holiness feels outdated in today’s culture ● How Christmas Christianity celebrates Jesus without surrendering to His lordship ● What holiness is, and what it is not ● How to return to a set-apart life without legalism, fear, or exhaustion This message is pastoral, prophetic, and deeply practical, calling believers back to identity, obedience, and a faith worth the cost. Holiness didn’t disappear, it was replaced. In this Christmas episode, Jon Ellis exposes how cultural Christianity celebrates Jesus without surrendering to Him, and why being set apart is still worth the cost. Holiness isn’t a burden, it’s a rescue.

Most Christians aren’t being persecuted with violence, they’re being persecuted with people. Unfriended. Misunderstood. Labeled. Screenshot. Canceled. In this episode, Jon Ellis breaks down what Jesus actually said about rejection and why following Him will cost you socially, but will never cost you your identity. You’ll learn why rejection is often revelation, how to stand strong when people walk away, and how the Holy Spirit empowers you to stay faithful in a culture obsessed with approval. This teaching is bold, pastoral, and prophetic, exactly what Gen Z and Millennials need to navigate the pressure of modern-day cancel culture. If you feel alone, overlooked, or unfollowed because of your faith… this episode will give you courage, clarity, and the conviction to stand with Jesus, even when it seems like you stand alone. Ever felt unfollowed, misunderstood, or quietly excluded because you chose to stand on Scripture? You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. Jesus warned His followers that cultural rejection would come, and He taught us how to stand firm when the pressure hits. In this bold and pastoral episode, Jon Ellis equips you with clarity, courage, and practical steps to stay faithful when approval fades. If you’re ready to rise above cancel culture and live Uncommon, this episode will strengthen your resolve.

Most Christians don’t walk away from God in a moment, they drift away slowly. In this episode, Jon Ellis exposes how distraction, routine, busyness, and subtle compromise quietly pull believers away from their first love. Using Hebrews 2:1 and Revelation 2:4-5, Jon reveals how drift begins, how it grows, and how to recognize it before it steals your fire. If you’ve been feeling spiritually numb, distant, or stuck in routine, this episode will help you identify the drift, reverse it, and return to the hunger, devotion, and fire you were made to carry as an Uncommon Christian. Spiritual drift doesn’t feel like rebellion, it feels like routine. In this eye-opening episode, Jon Ellis shows how subtle distraction and quiet compromise can pull you away from God without you even noticing. You’ll learn how to return to your first love and reignite the fire that drift tried to smother.

Winning When You’re Tired, Anxious, and Under Attack Most Christians aren’t losing the battle because their faith is weak, they’re losing because their thought life is unprotected. In this episode, Jon exposes the real frontline of spiritual warfare: the mind. Anxiety, intrusive thoughts, burnout, comparison, and identity lies are not just emotional struggles, they’re spiritual attacks with mental symptoms. Jon walks you through how the enemy weaponizes your thoughts, how to tear down strongholds, and how to renew your mind with the Word of God so you can finally walk in clarity, confidence, and peace. If you’ve felt overwhelmed mentally, spiritually exhausted, or trapped in your own head, this episode gives you the tools, Scriptures, and Spirit-led truths you need to win the war for your mind and live the life of The Uncommon Christian. Your mind is a battlefield, and the enemy knows it. In this episode, Jon shows you how to defeat anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and spiritual exhaustion by taking back control of your thought life through the power of God’s Word and the renewing of your mind. This is the roadmap to winning the war in your head and walking in uncommon clarity and freedom.

Comfort is the silent killer of calling. In this episode, Jon exposes one of the greatest idols in the modern church, the idol of convenience, and shows how comfort is slowly suffocating courage, obedience, and real discipleship. Using Amos 6:1 and Matthew 16:24-26, Jon unpacks the danger of living “at ease in Zion” and why Jesus didn’t invite us into a convenient Christianity, but a costly, courageous one. He also shares a powerful real-life story from a recent deer hunt in Illinois where simple obedience, sharing the gospel at gas stations and food stops, led to breakthrough moments that comfort would have stolen. If you’ve ever felt stuck, numb, passive, or spiritually sleepy… this episode will wake you up, call you up, and push you into a bold, Spirit-led faith. You were not saved to stay comfortable. You were saved to carry a cross.

We’ve made following Jesus sound too cheap. Our culture says, “Just believe.” But Jesus said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” In this bold opening to the Uncommon Discipleship arc, Jon Ellis unpacks Luke 14:25–33 and exposes why shallow faith isn’t saving anyone. True discipleship isn’t built on emotion, it’s built on endurance. Drawing from the testimony of Black Sheep Ministries, Jon shows how real transformation only comes when we surrender everything. This episode will challenge you to count the cost, confront compromise, and rediscover what it really means to follow Jesus in a culture that’s falling apart. Because following Jesus will cost you something, but not following Him will cost you everything. Order Jon’s book I’ve Prayed the Prayer and discover what real repentance and discipleship look like at TheUncommonChristian.com. If your faith doesn’t cost you anything, it’s worth nothing. Count the cost, follow Jesus for real.

In this follow-up episode, we shift from John Gallagher’s personal journey into what he’s building now. What is Black Sheep Recovery Warfare? How does John balance prophetic boldness with pastoral care? And what does it actually look like to wage warfare for the addicted, the broken, the outcasts? We also unpack how John’s message has begun to go viral, through video, social media, and the testimonies of lives changed. From his podcast platform to live events like the Run To You Tour, we explore how movement begins & spreads. If you’ve ever wondered how a redeemed addict turns into a voice for many, this is your episode. What started as one man’s redemption has become a movement shaking the South. In part two, Jon Ellis and John Gallagher dive into how Black Sheep Ministries went from a recovery story to a revival story. From spiritual warfare to viral videos, this episode reveals how God turns pain into platform, and why no one is too far gone to be used for His glory.

“When you’re closer to hell than heaven, sometimes only God can pull you out.” In this episode, Jon Ellis sits down with John Gallagher, the founder of Black Sheep Recovery Warfare,one of Mississippi’s most powerful recovery movements. Together, they walk through his radical journey from addiction, despair, and darkness, to surrender, redemption, and purpose. We trace the moments when everything crumbled, the signs he couldn’t ignore, and the supernatural encounter that changed everything. This is redemption in real time, bold, gritty, and undeniably uncommon. John Gallagher’s story is proof that no pit is too deep for God’s grace. Once trapped in addiction, he’s now leading one of Mississippi’s most powerful recovery movements, Black Sheep Ministries. In this episode, Jon Ellis sits down with John to unpack the raw, unfiltered moments that led from destruction to deliverance. This is redemption in real time, bold, gritty, and undeniably uncommon.

Is your obedience even making a difference? Are the late nights, uncelebrated faithfulness, and quiet sacrifices really worth it? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis breaks down why eternal reward is always worth the cost, even when no one is clapping. Through Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 10:36, and Matthew 6:20, you’ll be reminded that: ● The harvest is coming, if you don’t quit ● Your obedience is shaking ground under someone else’s feet ● And the real reward isn’t applause, it’s “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This episode will challenge you to stay faithful, call out cultural comfort, and remind you why your unseen obedience matters more than you think. Plus, get a sneak peek of next week’s special guest: John Gallagher from Black Sheep Ministries, whose story proves that reward always follows obedience. When faith feels thankless, remember: the reward is real. In this episode, Jon Ellis shows why obedience today is building you an eternity you can’t even imagine.

Going all in for Jesus doesn’t lead to comfort, it puts you in combat. In this episode, Jon Ellis equips you with the mindset and spiritual weapons you need to stand firm when life hits back. Whether you're facing attacks in your mind, your marriage, or your mission, this is your battle cry to armor up and fight like an Uncommon Christian. Discover why resistance doesn’t mean failure, how to recognize spiritual warfare for what it is, and what it means to pray, speak, and stand with Holy Spirit power. When life gets harder after saying yes to Jesus, it doesn’t mean you failed, it means you’re a threat. Learn how to fight back and stand firm.

Isolation is the enemy’s plan—if he can get you to drift quietly, he can make you fall silently. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis exposes the danger of isolation and shows why uncommon faith can only be lived out in community. From Hebrews 10 to the story of Elijah, Jon unpacks the truth that you don’t grow, heal, or overcome battles alone—you need people who will sharpen your soul and hold you up when you’re weary. You’ll also hear how men in the Titan Houses are breaking free from addiction and discovering the power of community that refuses to let isolation win. This episode will challenge you to take inventory of your circle, fight for accountability, and surround yourself with relationships that make you stronger. Because together—we don’t just survive, we thrive. Isolation is deadly. Jon Ellis shows why uncommon faith can’t survive alone—and how real community forges strength, accountability, and victory.

Too many Christians live stuck in the gap—the space between what they know and what they’re actually doing. In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis exposes the danger of delayed obedience and the deception of casual faith. Using James 1:22, Peter’s step onto the water, and hard-hitting truths from his book I’ve Prayed the Prayer, Jon challenges listeners to close the obedience gap and step into courageous, Spirit-led living. This isn’t about knowing more—it’s about living different. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to obey, this episode is your wake-up call. Knowing the Word doesn’t make you uncommon—doing it does. Jon Ellis calls out the “obedience gap” and challenges you to live what you already know.

Comfort zones feel safe—but they can kill your calling. In this powerful episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, Jon Ellis challenges you to identify and break free from the counterfeit comforts holding you back from fully following Jesus. From Abraham leaving the familiar, to Peter stepping out of the boat, to the early church choosing boldness over safety—we see that God’s call always costs something. With a moving tribute to Charlie Kirk, a timely challenge for today’s culture, and a real-life story of costly obedience, Jon reminds us: Jesus didn’t die to make us comfortable. He died to make us dangerous to darkness. If you’re ready to stop playing it safe, surrender what’s keeping you stuck, and live the bold, uncommon life God designed you for—this episode will shake you out of casual Christianity and into courageous faith. Grab Jon’s new book I’ve Prayed the Prayer at TheUncommonChristian.com for a deeper dive into breaking free from cultural Christianity and stepping into real surrender.

Are you all in for Jesus, or are you still playing it safe? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian Podcast, we dive into what it really means to live with full faith—no backup plans, no half-hearted commitment.And let’s be real—too many Christians today are living unstable lives because they haven’t decided if they’re all in or not in at all. James 1:6-8 warns us about being double-minded, and Jesus makes it clear in Revelation 3:16 that lukewarm faith isn’t an option. Using biblical examples like Peter and Elisha, we’ll challenge you to step out, stay focused, and surrender completely. If you’re ready to burn the plow and never look back, this episode is for you. In this episode, we’re exposing lukewarm faith and breaking down: 1- Why God doesn’t accept halfway commitment (Revelation 3:16) 2-The danger of divided loyalty in your walk with Christ 3-How Peter and Elisha went ALL IN—and why you should too Three steps to finally go all in for Jesus If you’ve been playing it safe, it’s time to burn the backup plan and step into bold obedience. Jesus didn’t die for lukewarm faith. He died to make you bold. Listen now & become the Uncommon Christian you were called to be!

Welcome to The Uncommon Christian with Jon Ellis—a podcast designed to challenge, equip, and inspire you to live a bold, obedient, and set-apart life for Jesus. In a world where Christianity has been hijacked by tradition and watered down by culture, we’re diving deep into what it really means to follow Christ. In this first episode, we tackle the difference between a common Christian and an uncommon Christian. We explore why faith is more than a title, how Jesus calls us to a transformed life, and what it means to surrender fully to Him.

What does it really cost to follow Jesus? In this episode of The Uncommon Christian, we’re getting real about the price of living set apart in a world that celebrates comfort and compromise. Many wear the name “Christian,” but few are willing to pay the price of true discipleship. Jesus didn’t call us to fit in—He called us to stand out, to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. If you’re ready to stop blending in and start living boldly for Christ, this episode is for you. Discover what it means to live uncommon, embrace the cost, and follow Jesus no matter what it takes.