The Crook and The Book

This week on the podcast, our hosts explore Gospel of Mark 14:53–72, focusing on the contrast between human failure and Jesus’ perfect faithfulness. Through Jesus’ unjust trial and Peter’s denial, they discuss how fear and pressure expose our weakness while Christ remains steadfast. The conversation also highlights the difference between Peter and Judas Iscariot, pointing to the hope of repentance and restoration. Ultimately, this episode encourages listeners to trust in Jesus’ grace and run to Him even in failure.

This week on the podcast, our hosts explore the theological and biblical perspectives on the Lord’s Supper. They examine the four main views of transubstantiation, consubstantiation, the memorial view, and the spiritual presence view, along with the key biblical texts behind each. The conversation highlights how these understandings shape church practice, inform the meaning of communion as an ordinance or sacrament, and deepen spiritual nourishment and growth in the life of the church.

This week on the podcast, our hosts expound further on the sermon on Mark 13:14–27. They explore the warnings about the abomination of desolation, tribulation, and the coming of the Son of Man. They discuss how this passage would have been heard by Jesus’ original audience, what it reveals about judgment, endurance, and hope, and why the main call for Christians is to be on guard and remain watchful in times of suffering and uncertainty.

This week on the podcast, our hosts reflect on the life and legacy of John MacArthur, discussing the impact his preaching, writing, and ministry had on their own lives as pastors. They share how they were first introduced to John MacArthur’s ministry and teaching, and what they learned from him and his ministry that spanned five decades. The conversation wraps up by responding to a thoughtful listener question.

This week on the podcast, our hosts are discussing the doctrine of predestination. Specifically, how they’ve wrestled with it, what it says about God’s sovereignty, and why it’s actually good news. They talk about their own stories, where evangelism fits in, and how this doctrine can bring real comfort.

In this episode, our hosts dive into what scripture teaches about God’s covenant with Israel and how the Church fits into that unfolding story. They explore key theological frameworks such as dispensationalism, covenant theology, and positions in between. The conversation also considers how these perspectives shape our understanding of God’s promises, our approach to theological disagreements, and our views on the modern state of Israel.

In this episode of The Crook & The Book, pastors Luke, Andrew, and Jeremy discuss the church’s connection to the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA). They explore the denomination’s roots, its focus on global missions, and the significance of the biannual General Council, a key gathering that shapes the CMA’s direction and unity.They reflect on how the council inspires local churches, share key moments from the most recent event, and offer personal insights into how the CMA has impacted their faith and ministry.

This week on The Crook & The Book, the hosts dive into Jeremy's sermon on Mark 10:46–52, where Jesus heals the blind man Bartimaeus. As Bartimaeus cries out to the "Son of David," he demonstrates an understanding of Jesus’ messianic identity that Jeremy outlined in his sermon. They also discuss his wholehearted plea and the powerful picture of childlike faith. The conversation unpacks the spiritual and theological richness of this moment and how it challenges us to see Jesus more clearly and approach Him with the same humble, childlike faith. Additionally, no episode is complete without the random question to close things out.

In this week’s episode, the hosts unpack Pastor Jeremy’s recent sermon on the Rich Young Ruler, highlighting its central message: the call to self-denial in following Christ. They delve into the spiritual dangers of wealth and comfort, discussing how these can foster self-reliance or even self-righteousness. Regardless of one’s financial situation, believers are reminded of the need to depend wholly on God. The conversation also explores the importance of stewarding wealth wisely in order to practice generosity toward the church and other ministries. The episode wraps up with a reflection on how focusing on Jesus makes our sacrifices more bearable—and, as always, ends with a fun, unexpected question for the hosts.

In this week's episode, our hosts dive into Pastor Jeremy's recent sermon, focusing on the miracle of Jesus healing the blind man in Bethsaida. They explore the deeper significance of this miracle, highlighting how it symbolizes God opening blind eyes to His truth. The conversation also touches on the comfort found in God's sovereignty, particularly when it comes to sharing the gospel with non-believers. Additionally, they delve into the intersection of free will and God's sovereignty, offering insightful reflections on how these concepts work together.

Due to issues with the producer’s schedule (or poor memory), we are a week behind in episode releases. In this episode, the crew is back together to discuss a subject that came up in a recent sermon. They discuss biblical versus unbiblical rules and how to understand them. They get into specifics of the necessity of some man-made rules, as well as discussing legalism and its implications. To conclude, the random question is about rules our pastors had in their homes growing up.

The Crook & The Book is back for the first episode of 2025! In this week's episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew review Jeremy’s recent sermon continuing in the Book of Mark. They explore Jesus’ ministry the the role of the disciples and how they partner in ministry. This is correlated to how ministry partnerships exist today within the local church and beyond. To finish off the episode, the guys answer a candid question about the winter season.

In this week's episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew review Andrew’s recent sermon. They talk about how Jesus shows Himself as the Creator and how the disciples respond in panic, connecting it to how we see the world. They also answer a listener's question about faith versus fear and finish with a lighthearted discussion about their favorite Christmas traditions.

In this special episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Jeremy answer some listener questions. They answer a question on end times theology and how to live in light of Christ returning in the future. Additionally, they address a question focusing on living alongside lost people without condoning their sin, while sharing the gospel. They end the discussion with a question about thanksgiving food they are looking forward to.

In this episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew delve into the significance of the Lord's Supper. The discussion touches on the definition of the Lord’s Supper, who may participate, when it should be celebrated, and the elements used. They emphasize the communal aspect of communion, the importance of church membership, and the spiritual nourishment it provides. Their conversation also touches on the frequency of partaking in the Lord’s Supper and the appropriateness of different elements, concluding with recommendations for further reading on the topic.

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew discuss Jeremy’s sermon on Mark 2:1-12….without Jeremy. They explore themes of forgiveness, the authority of Jesus, the importance of preaching, and the deeper implications of sin. The also emphasize the need for believers to receive and rejoice in Christ's offerings, while also discussing practical applications of the gospel in daily life. The episode concludes with a quick question about favorite restaurants.

The Crook and the Book is back! Apologies for missing an episode two weeks ago, but we had some technical difficulties and the episode was lost. In this episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, our hosts delve into the significance of prayer in the Christian life. They discuss the reasons for prayer, common hindrances to maintaining a robust prayer life, and practical tips for fostering a healthy prayer routine. Their conversation highlights valuable resources for enhancing one's prayer life and concludes with reflections on historical figures known for their powerful prayers.

In this episode of the Crook in the Book Podcast, the team is back together as our hosts discuss Mark 1:12-13 and the topic of temptation. They explore the idea that temptation reveals who we really are and how Jesus' temptation in the wilderness reveals Him to be the sinless Son of God. They also address the question of why God allows us to be tempted and how that fits with James 1:13-14. They emphasize the importance of scripture in overcoming temptation and highlight the need to fill our minds with God's Word. Additionally, they take a listener question on relationship between baptism and the Lord's Supper.

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Luke and Jeremy discuss Exodus 35:11 through 40:38. The main theme of the passage is that God graciously dwells with his people. The construction of the tabernacle and the rituals and sacrifices associated with it are necessary for God to dwell with sinners. The passage also emphasizes the importance of obedience for Christians and the mission of reaching the lost. Luke also answers a listener question regarding the prayers prayed during the worship service.

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Andrew is solo again and interviews Randy Harvey, an elder at Westwood Alliance Church, about the role of Adult Sunday School in the discipleship strategy of the local church. They discuss how Sunday School accomplishes discipleship, the difference between Sunday School and corporate worship, the process of picking teachers and topics, and the benefits of attending Sunday School. Randy shares his personal testimony and highlights the importance of Sunday School in his own growth and understanding of the Bible. They also share some humorous and awkward moments from their experiences in Sunday School.

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Andrew and Jeremy discuss the nature of the local church. They emphasize that the local church is a group of Christians who regularly gather, affirm each other's faith, and practice the preaching of the gospel and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. They also discuss the importance of meeting on the Lord's Day and the significance of the space where the church gathers. They highlight the benefits and challenges of both small and large churches, and the role of preaching in the church as a means of transformation and exhortation. They also share their earliest church memories.

On this very special episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” Andrew is solo and has an interview with a special guest. They discuss children's ministry, specifically focusing on pre-K ministry. Ellen Lilly, the special guest, shares experiences and insights from her teaching career and ministry involvement. The conversation covers the structure of Sunday school classes, the importance of intentional and structured Pre-K ministry, the importance of parental involvement in spiritual growth, as well as the challenges and rewards of ministering to young children.

On this episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” our hosts discuss the concept of God's holiness. They define holiness as God being set apart and completely different from us. They explain that God's holiness is directly related to His glory and that His holiness is pure and untainted by sin. They discuss the implications of God's holiness, including the comfort it brings to believers and the fear it instills in those who are not in Christ. They also explore the response to God's holiness, which includes worship, reverence, and striving to be like Him. They also recommend a number of resources for further study on this topic.

We have officially hit double digits in episodes! On the 10th episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” our hosts discuss the topic of whether a Christian can lose their salvation. They explore the theological and practical reasons why this question is debated in Christian circles. They explain their positions on whether a Christian can lose their salvation based on what the Bible outlines. They also discuss the doctrine of imputation and the new birth as theological arguments in relation to of the perseverance of the saints. The hosts address the warning passages in the Bible and how those should be viewed in light of other passages related to security of salvation. They conclude by sharing their dream vacation destinations.

On this episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” Luke and Andrew hold down the fort while Jeremy is out. They discuss Andrew's sermon on James 5:12, which emphasizes the importance of speaking sincerely and clearly. They explore the connection between this verse and the rest of the book of James, highlighting the themes of suffering, poverty, and the power of words. They also discuss the relevance of this passage in today's society, where honesty and truth are often undervalued. The conversation leads to reflections on personal experiences and conversations sparked by the sermon. Additionally, some recommendations are made for some Puritan works for readers interested in diving deeper into the subject.

On the this episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew discuss the sovereignty of God and how it applies to life and ministry. They make a case for God's control over history, events, and salvation, and demonstrate how scripture outlines that reality. They address the question of why evangelism and prayer are still necessary if God is sovereign, emphasizing that God ordains the means as well as the ends. They highlight the encouragement and rest that comes from understanding God's sovereignty and recommend resources for further study.

On the this episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew discuss Luke’s recent sermon on James 4:1-3. They spend time focusing on the connection between coveting and quarreling. They also explore how inward battles of coveting can lead to outward fights and quarrels among people. They also discuss the role of gratitude in combating coveting and sharing resources for cultivating gratitude. The episode concludes with a discussion of favorite hymns.

For the 6th episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew discuss Andrew's recent sermon from James 4:4-10. The main point of the passage is that Christians should trade their friendship with the world for friendship with God. The conversation explores the difference between friendship with the world and being a friend of sinners, emphasizing the importance of engaging with the world while not being drawn into its sinful patterns. They also discuss God's yearning for our devotion and the enabling grace He provides to obey His commands.

For the 5th episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” we are discussing a topic instead of a recent sermon. In this episode, Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew spend time discussing the topic of expository preaching. They emphasize the importance of expository preaching in respecting God's Word, fulfilling the Great Commission, and allowing the power of the Word to transform lives. They also discuss the variety of approaches to expository preaching and provide insights on how to discern a calling to preach.

We are already on episode 4 of “The Crook & The Book Podcast”. This week, Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew spend time continuing in the study of James. They discuss James 2:10-13, and the main theme of the passage, which is that the law is all or nothing, and that everyone is under the law and in need of mercy. They also share various illustrations and applications of the passage, including the importance of addressing sin in other believers and the need to surrender to God in the process of killing sin. You will also get to hear what the pastors have been reading lately.

In the third installment of “The Crook & The Book Podcast,” Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew spend time continuing in the study of James. They discuss James 1:26-27, discussing what pure religion is and living that out in the Christian life. You will also hear the “Big Game” picks from your pastors.

In the highly anticipated second episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast,” Luke, Jeremy, and Andrew spend time continuing in the study of James. They discuss James 1:12-15, focusing on the difference between trials and temptations. The episode concludes with a lighthearted discussion on favorite Christmas movies.

In the debut episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, join our host Luke Miller who will be joined by Jeremy Muncy and Andrew Ballitch. They will explain the vision and goal of the podcast. Additionally, they discuss and unpack the recent exposition of James 1:9-11.