Ask Me Anything with J.D. Greear

This week on Ask the Pastor, we have a special bonus episode on the question, "Which of the Bible's promises apply today?"

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" with the question, "Why Does Correct Theology Matter?"

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" with the question, "Why Does Everyday Faithfulness Matter?"

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" with the question, "Why Does the Existence of Hell Matter?"

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" with the question, "Why Does Prayer Matter?"

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. pauses his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" to answer a listener question about challenges of tithing when a spouse disagree. 

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" with a question on why it matters to live a gospel-centered life.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter?" by diving into the significance of the virgin birth of Jesus. 

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D.pauses his "Why Does It Matter" series to answer a listener question who asked, "Are You Committed to Only Preaching Expositionally?"

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. continues his series called, "Why Does It Matter" and focuses on why purity before marriage even matters by exploring the biblical stance on sexual ethics.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. starts a brand new series called, "Why Does It Matter." Listen as he unpacks  the significance of the Bible's authority, inerrancy, and its role in Christian life.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. shares part two of his favorite books in 2024. 

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. shares his favorite books in 2024. 

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers “Should Followers of Jesus Get Plastic Surgery?”

In this week's episode, Pastor J.D. looks at the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) from a Christian perspective. While AI is a tool that can be used for good or bad, the underlying human nature can lead to the amplification of wickedness.

In this week's episode, Pastor J.D. explores the biblical basis for denominations while addressing common criticisms. While denominations may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of cooperation in the mission of the church is prevalent. Denominations serve as a practical tool for collaboration in advancing the mission of God.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question that has actually been asked by two listeners, Lillian and Jesse: “Is it OK for Christians to do Yoga?”

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question that asked, "I'm currently married to a man who had an unbiblical divorce. To make it worse, we actually began dating before the divorce was finalized. We recently both got saved, and now are facing the question: are we living in continuous adultery? We're both sick over how our marriage began, but at the same time, we don't feel right divorcing. Do you have any guidance?”

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Tristan who asked, "As Christians, how can we be honest about an individual's poor performance (in my case, scoring a poor performer based on their work quality) with grace and love?”

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Tyler who asked, "“I know in my head that my sin is sinful, but I can't seem to 'metabolize' it and get that truth into my heart. How can I do that?” A glimpse inside this episode: The goal of salvation is a new kind of righteousness. Understanding sin requires both head knowledge and heart transformation. Living by faith means choosing what is right despite feelings. Growth in grace involves recognizing our ongoing need for grace. Sowing seeds of righteousness leads to spiritual growth. Habits shape our desires and affections. Choosing against fleshly desires is a step of faith. Reckoning ourselves dead to sin empowers us to resist temptation. Prayer and belief in the gospel are essential for spiritual life. Continuous reliance on God's grace is crucial in the Christian walk.

This week on Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers a question submitted by Andrew who asked, "Could you attempt to provide some clarity on whether an earthly marriage between Christians means that husband/wife relationship carries into eternity?"

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Joseph Backholm. Joseph is a Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Neil Shenvi where they discuss the complexities of critical theory, its implications for society, and how it intersects with Christian beliefs.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Brooke Medina. Brooke is a member of the Summit Church and serves as Vice President of Communications for the John Locke Foundation.

his week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Katie McCoy. Dr. McCoy serves as the director of Women's Ministry for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Dr. Jason Thacker. Dr. Thacker is a professor, ethicist, and scholar who has written several books, including "Following Jesus in a Digital Age."

This week on Ask the Pastor features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Ben Watson. Watson is a former NFL tight end as well as a writer, speaker, and activist.

Ask the Pastor is continuing our Gospel & Politics series. This week features a conversation between Pastor J.D. Greear and Dr. Ed Stetzer. Stetzer is a leading thinker in his field and has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches; trained pastors and church planters on six continents; earned two master's degrees and two doctorates.

This week's Ask the Pastor episode kicks off our brand new series, Gospel & Politics. This series will feature Pastor J.D. with other respected leaders talking about how we can integrate both the gospel and politics into our lives this election season.  A glimpse inside this episode: Secular beliefs often have Christian foundations, and Christians should recognize the influence of their faith in shaping moral values. The witness of the church is not about being good people, but about recognizing our need for Jesus and sharing the gospel with others. The decline in church attendance presents an evangelistic opportunity, as many people are searching for meaning and purpose. Christians should engage in politics and vote according to their Christian values, while also recognizing the limitations of legislation in enforcing personal beliefs. Christian engagement in politics can have a significant impact, and Christians should strive for a holistic understanding of scripture in shaping political discourse.

In this final edition of Ask the Pastor's Greatest Hits, Pastor J.D. talks about the pain of unanswered prayer and the realities of prayer for the Christian. A glimpse inside this episode: This is a tricky question. I've often heard that behind every question is a questioner. When we're dealing with unanswered prayer, the Bible has a lot to say. But the heart of the questioner matters a lot here. More often than not, when someone asks me about unanswered prayer, it's not an academic question for them. It's a question coming from a place of deep hurt. They asked God for healing in their life—and it didn't happen. They asked God to reconcile a relationship—but the other person still left. They asked God to work in their kid's life—but it's been years and there's no sign of that child returning.  So first off, I want to say, when it seems like God isn't answering prayer, that's legitimately painful. It makes us question God's goodness. It makes us wonder if he's real. Those are the kinds of doubts that all of us, at one point or another in our walk of faith, deal with. I've wrestled with them. Every great saint has wrestled with them. So if you're in that spot, don't despair. Walk through that difficult question with God. And here, I think, is the best road forward: If we're walking in fellowship with the Spirit, there isn't technically any such thing as unanswered prayer. (Now, this is different than the way God responds to those outside of Christ: He may hear them, but he hasn't promised to.) With believers, though, the Apostle John reminds us, “This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14–15). If we are walking with God, we can be sure we have his ear.  Whatever your situation, whatever your request, if you are God's child, he's listening.  Now, does that mean he says “Yes” to everything you ask? Of course not. At times, since God's wisdom is so much greater than our own, he re-directs our answer. Or he sometimes tells us to wait. Or sometimes he simply says, “No.”  But saying “No” doesn't mean he's being cruel. As Jesus taught, a good father gives his children food like eggs and fish, not dangerous animals like scorpions and snakes (cf. Luke 11:12–13). The point is that even earthly parents withhold things from their children—but that withholding is a result of their love, not a lack of it.  Sometimes the exercise of God's love means he gives us what we would have asked for if we knew what he knew. (I think I first heard that from Tim Keller.) What feels like unanswered prayer is actually God answering according to the wisdom and love of the Father.

In this edition of Ask the Pastor's Greatest Hits, Pastor J.D. shares how God called him to the mission field before calling him to be a pastor of a church that sends and supplies the mission field in extravagant ways.

In this edition of Ask the Pastor's Greatest Hits, Pastor J.D. talks how to live in the world but not of the world. 

In this edition of Ask the Pastor's Greatest Hits, Pastor J.D. talks about whether the legal use of marijuana is wise or helpful for Christians.

In this edition of Ask the Pastor's Greatest Hits, Pastor J.D. shares four important things to keep in mind when responding to instances of sexual abuse.

Pastor J.D. talks about some key advantages and disadvantages to each type of schooling and how Scripture guides our decision-making.

In this week's episode of Ask the Pastor, we're continuing with our Greatest Hits series and Pastor J.D. answer if it's ever OK to get a divorce.

In this week's episode of Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. shares how parents of children who have wandered from the faith can cling to God's truth that he is still working.

In this week's episode of Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers one of our most-asked questions: Who or (What) is a Christian?

In this week's episode of Ask the Pastor, Pastor J.D. answers one of our most-asked questions: Can you lose your salvation?

This summer we are looking at some of the most popular Ask the Pastor episodes over the years. This week, Pastor J.D. gives some helpful definitions and clarifications when it comes to the Christian and spiritual warfare.

This summer we are looking at some of the most popular Ask the Pastor episodes over the years. This week, Pastor J.D. discusses how to honor a toxic parent.

This summer we are going to at some of the most popular Ask the Pastor episodes over the years. To start, Pastor J.D. discusses what's important to keep in mind when it comes to leaving a church and choosing one. A glimpse inside this episode: The no-commitment consumer culture is not appropriate for the church. Consumer culture works for some things. But not for church. Church is a family: The best parts of church come from that; it's not a show. It is better to be really connected at a mediocre church than partially committed at the best one. I only have one life to live, and I want to invest it where I get the most return.  Hearing the Word. Community that makes you flourish Maximizing gifts: Don't be a “Lone Ranger Christian,” the one faithful voice in a dead church. You'll be much more effective working side-by-side with like-minded believers than you will trying to effect change on your own. This matters even more to me now as a father. I want my kids to grow up in a place where they will see and experience firsthand the best community of believers I can offer to them. Gospel-centered ministry is an absolute priority; the spiritual health of my family is too important to have them in a place without it. What are mistakes you've seen people make as they approach this decision?  Always thinking about your needs is a sign of immaturity. Paul tells the Ephesian believers to “grow up” (Eph 4:1-16), which he defines as learning to use your spiritual gift in the church, not being fed and having your needs met each week. It is infants and toddlers, not adults, whose primary concern in being fed and having their bottoms wiped by others. Ironically, some of the “seasoned” Christians who complain the most about “not getting anything out of their church” act more like toddlers than mature believers! The church is not about you. This is important for any church, because your church, no matter what it starts like, cannot remain perpetually “the hottest show in town.” Someone younger, cooler, and flashier is right now preparing the next best thing. So, we'll have ups and downs, cold seasons and hot ones. Thinking you can turn it around. If you are not part of the lead pastoral team, you very likely will not be able to turn the ship around. Pray and wait. Waiting too long. You get the greatest return on relationships when you invest yourself in one place for many years. I'm not sure how to give you a “litmus test” for when to stay and when to leave. I have known people who felt called by God to stay in a dying place and believe God for its resurrection and actually saw that happen. I've known others who tried that and, because they were not in a place where they could really effect the change they desire, “wasted” some great years in a dying organization. I've known others who left a dying church and went on to serve God somewhere else, and were greatly blessed in the process. And I've known still others who abandoned ship when they should have stayed. If you think there's a possibility of change, I'd say stay and make it happen. When you see that there is not, invest your life elsewhere. Be committed: There's a difference in how the chicken and the pig contribute to your eggs and sausage breakfast. The chicken makes a contribution; the pig is committed. Be a pig.

In this week's episode of "Ask the Pastor," J.D. Greear answers "Should Christians Gamble?"

In this week's episode of "Ask the Pastor," J.D. Greear answers a question submitted by a listener. They asked, "Can Christians Be Depressed?"