Cultivating Growth

Our good friend, and fellow preacher, from Louisville, Scott Beyer, joins us this week to wrap up our conversation about the 7 letters found in Revelation 2-3. We talk about why these letters are recorded for us, what we can learn about God through reading them and touch on some of our main takeaways from this study. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

The last three of these seven letters, found in Revelation 3, are written to churches that are all in very different places. Sardis might have looked the part from an outsider's perspective but it's reality was very different, Philadelphia may not have been the most impressive looking church but was persevering in an admirable way, and Laodicea was a church that needed to rediscover its passion and zeal!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

The next two letters, both found in Revelation 2, speak to churches that are both being influenced by false teaching. And both instances encourage us to look back to two Old Testament figures...Balaam and Jezebel. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This week we dive into the first two of the 7 letters recorded for us in Revelation 2-3. Ephesus is a church we know a lot about from Paul's journeys and the letter bearing their name. Smyrna, however, is not as well known. Both churches have some good things going for them and both are facing some challenging circumstances. Sound familiar? Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Our special guest this week is one of our friends from Traders Point, Nathan Rentschler. Together, we spend some time discussing David's prayer in Psalm 51 as we close out the month. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In Nehemiah chapter 1, after receiving news that the people back in Jerusalem aren't doing well, Nehemiah prays. He confesses sin, showcases repentance and asks God for mercy. It is a wonderful prayer with lots to learn. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

You simply can't do a study on Old Testament prayers without spending some time with Hezekiah. Not only was he was an important king in the nation of Judah but he left behind two great examples of what it means to seek God's guidance and blessings first. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this episode we look at two prayers by Hannah; the first in 1 Samuel 1 and the second in 1 Samuel 2. Both of these prayers give us insight into the faith of Hannah and provide us some strong application that we need to consider making to our prayer lives today. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this final episode about the circumstances surrounding and immediately after Peter's denial we are joined by a guest and we discuss the whole matter.  Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This week we discuss the last recorded conversation that we have between Peter and Jesus. A conversation that not only speaks to the restored relationship between the two of them but also Jesus' intent on preparing Peter for what's next. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

It wasn't long after Peter vehemently told Jesus that he would die before denying Jesus that that proclamation was put to the test. And sadly, in that moment of testing, Peter failed. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This month we are going to spend some time discussing the prediction of Peter's denial, the denial itself and finally the aftermath of the denial. All four gospel accounts discuss this story line and tell us about the confrontational back and forth between Jesus and Peter as Jesus tells His followers that they are going to stumble. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this episode we spend time talking about the story of Gideon from beginning to end with our guest Dustin Russell. We talk about God's call to Gideon as well as the battle itself, and also the aftermath. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this episode we conclude the story of Gideon, and it is a complicated ending. After a great victory in chapter 7, Gideon seems to struggle with how and where to go to next. We talk about all the ups and downs of the chapter in this episode. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

The conversation continues this week in Judges 7. This is perhaps the most well-known part of Gideon's story. God is not only going to continue to demonstrate His incredible patience but He will also make sure that everyone knows that He is in control and victory is achieved only by Him. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This month we are going to be discussing the story of Gideon - one of God's chosen judges to lead Israel out of the Midianite oppression. This week, the conversation will be focused on Judges 6. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

The story of Cornelius isn't one that can be thoroughly discussed in just 15 minutes. But we gave it our best shot! It's an amazing story of the gospel of Jesus being taken to the Gentiles and a devout, God-fearing man, anxious to receive it. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This week is all about Saul (who will later be known as the apostle Paul). There are many unique details about his conversion but also many consistencies between his conversion and the others that we have discussed this month. The events take place in Acts 9 but Paul will then recount his conversion on two other occasions in Acts...Acts 22 and 26. Enjoy the conversation this week! Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

When Phillip was sent to the Ethiopian Eunuch he found him reading from the prophet Isaiah, began where he was, and taught him Jesus. That method is still as powerful and fruitful today as it was then. Meet people where they are and teach them Jesus!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, began to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter spoke of Jesus's death, burial and resurrection. When he had finished, the thousands in attendance had one question for him..."What must we do to be saved?"Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Our guest to wrap up this month's discussion is Allen Greeley who preaches for the Plainfield Church of Christ. The conversation was rich and plentiful as we worked through some of the key takeaways from God calling Moses into service in Exodus 3-4, to the first 9 plagues that God brings upon Egypt and then finally to the 10th and final plague and the origination of the Passover. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

After the first 9 plagues, God would send one more upon Egypt, and Pharaoh would let the people go. We cover that plague as well as the preparations for the Passover given to God's people to bring about their salvation. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In Exodus 7-10 Moses goes to Pharaoh and asks for God's people to be released. He refuses, making mention that he does not know this God that Moses is talking about. So, in the next few chapters, God, through His infinite power, introduces Himself to Pharaoh. Plagues 1-9 take place and decimate the land and Pharaoh receives his introduction. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In Exodus 3-4 God calls Moses to be the leader of His people and go to Pharaoh and demand that he let God's people go. This was a monumental task that Moses has initial concerns about. In this episode we talk about those concerns and how God helps Moses to deal with each of them. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Jesus found faith in a Roman Centurion that He hadn't found in all of Israel! A remarkable and powerful story unfolds of Jesus's power over health, even from afar, and a man who demonstrated the kind of faith that Jesus is still looking for in us today. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Three of the four gospel writers record the miracle of a paralytic man's friends exercising their faith to overcome obstacles in order to get this man to the feet of Jesus. But Jesus doesn't just heal him of his physical ailments. He does something that sends some of those present into a frenzy!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

John 11 records the story surrounding, and leading up to, the moment that Jesus calls for Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Not only did Jesus reiterate His power over life and death, He used this opportunity to teach all of us some important principles!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This month we will spending some time studying 4 miracles that Jesus performed while on earth. The first one will be the feeding of the 5,000; a miracle that all four gospel writers record for us!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Ed serves as one of our elders at the Traders Point Church of Christ and it was a pleasure to welcome him to the podcast this week and get some of his thoughts on the beautiful book of Ruth!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

As we continue to study through the book of Ruth, the relationship between Boaz and Ruth blossoms into a beautiful marriage and an important child. That child will lead to David, leading to Jesus. God's hand remains involved as this wonderful love story comes to a close. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Chapter 2 is going to introduce us to one of the main characters of Ruth's story - Boaz. He is a relative of Naomi's, a wealthy man, and, as we will come to see, a man of great kindness and godliness. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

The book of Ruth is a small but powerful book highlighting the providence of God, the power of love, and also foreshadowing the selfless savior, Jesus Christ, who will redeem mankind. Today, we tackle chapter 1!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Jonathan Caldwell, a gospel preacher working with the congregation in Southport, IN, joins us this week for some final thoughts on the three conversations we've covered this month. Jesus with Nicodemus, Jesus with the Rich Young Ruler and Jesus with the woman at the well. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

As Jesus makes His way through Samaria He spends time with a woman at a well and His interaction with her changes her life. There is much to learn about Jesus and how to deal with people as well as the Truth that He shares with this woman. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this conversation Jesus is going to highlight the importance of sacrifice and our relationship to our physical possessions. It challenges each of us to consider what we would, or would not, be willing to give up for Jesus. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This month we will be discussing three different conversations that Jesus has with individuals. The first of those is found John 3 with a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus. He comes to Jesus secretly and Jesus takes the time, late at night, to discuss some very important concepts with this man that will still challenge each of us today. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

We welcome in a friend of ours, and fellow member at Traders Point, Gary Chumbley this week to help us close the book on our Abraham discussion for this month!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In the last episode we discussed moments in the life of Abraham where he demonstrated a lack of faith. They were moments, because overall, Abraham was a man of faith. Time after time he trusted in God completely and that allowed him to walk through and tackle the most difficult of circumstances. Study with us and learn from Abraham a man of great faith. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

As we continue with our study of Abraham, we will dive into the moments in his life where he struggled with his faith. Moments of selfishness and impatience. It is an important study and one we are excited to have along with you. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

Abraham is a central character, not just in the Old Testament narrative, but in our lives as Christians. God saw fit to make promises to him, thousands of years ago, that we are benefitting from today. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In our final episode of this month we welcome Nolan Clouse to the podcast to wrap our discussions regarding the words and statements that Jesus makes while He is on the cross. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this episode the final words of Jesus. The plan of saving man through His blood on the cross, a plan set before the beginning of the world, culminates in His death. Jesus understands the significance of that and has some final things to say. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In this episode we will discuss the words of Jesus on the cross and the human interactions He had. A conversation with His mother, His desire for something to drink, and His feeling of loneliness. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This month we're going to look at what Jesus said while He was on the cross. When each breath literally counted, what did Jesus choose to say and why? This week we're going to look at two of those statements found in Luke 23. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In our final episode on David for this month, we bring Curtis Cooper into the conversation to share some of his thoughts with us. Curtis preaches for the Stony Creek congregation in Noblesville, Indiana and we really enjoyed getting his perspective on the life of David. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

What does it mean that David was a man after God's own heart and why is that statement ascribed to him? We dive into those questions and more today!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

David certainly wasn't a man without flaws and mistakes. The story that unfolds with Bathsheba certainly highlights one of the lowest times in David's life. But his response to this sinful behavior is one of the reasons he will be described as a man after God's own heart!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

This month is all about David! We're starting with one of the most well-known stories of his entire life...his encounter with Goliath on the battlefield! David was still a young man, but already full of faith and courage. There is a lot to be learned from this timeless story!Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

As we wrap up this month's topic of salvation, we welcome Emerson Brown to the show! Emerson preaches at the Westfield Church of Christ and offers some valuable insight into the conversation we've been having this month on salvation. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!

In the third episode of this series on salvation we tackle the question of what role  baptism play in the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus, as well as the Apostles, answer that question for us in the New Testament writings. Questions for us? Send us a Text Message!