Center Grace Church Podcast

This week, Matt invites Pastor Derek to explore how we can balance personal study of Scripture with the insights of pastors and scholars—using biblical scholarship as a helpful tool without perceiving it as a barrier.   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33zzTKTd3gk

Text: Hebrews 12:18-29 Preacher: Derek Baker

Text: Hebrews 12:1-11 Preacher: Derek Baker

This week, Matt asks Pastor Derek about Daniel's absence during the events involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. In a separate discussion, Matt raises a question about the Apostles' Creed: What does it mean when it says, “He descended into hell”? Pastor Derek explores the historical and biblical meaning behind the phrase, which leads to a discussion about whether Jesus needed to be raised from the dead for us to be justified. In his response, Pastor Derek emphasizes that the imputation of Christ's righteousness is a crucial—yet often overlooked—element of the Gospel.   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HU6dumpnetQ

This week, Matt asks Pastor Derek to share his thoughts on who Melchizedek was. They conclude by discussing a question from the kids' Sunday School about speaking animals and heaven?   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFEXg77KYwM

Text: Hebrews 11:32-40 Preacher: Derek Baker

Text: Hebrews 11:1-12 Preacher: Derek Baker

This week, Matt asks Pastor Derek whether 1 Corinthians' description of Jesus as a rock is meant to be taken literally or figuratively. They go on to discuss how to find motivation to seek Christ during seasons of spiritual dryness, and how to balance peace and pressure when making decisions. The episode wraps up with a conversation about why we take communion twice a month, followed by a lighthearted discussion about music.   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NXgo1PKVeZU  

Text: Hebrews 10:19-25 Preacher: Derek Baker

This week Pastor Derek sits down with Matt to answer the following questions: How does membership differ from a cult? Do you feel like we'll ever leave the current age of Christian mediocrity? Why don't pastors have higher standards for whether or not they'll marry a couple?   Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqpDq3r_-hA  

Text: Hebrews 9:11-15; 10:1-14 Preacher: Derek Baker

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Hebrews 2:5-18

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: John 13:1-17

Text: Hebrews 8:1-13 Preacher: T.I. Atkins

In this week's episode, Matt and Pastor Derek tackle the challenging question: “Can God actively cause harm to His people?” They explore God's sovereignty in relation to suffering, harm, and evil. The conversation also touches on natural disasters—are they a form of judgment? Pastor Derek emphasizes the importance of using Scripture to interpret our experiences, rather than allowing our experiences to shape our understanding of God. He explains why only a biblical lens can truly address these difficult questions, and how the atheistic alternative ultimately falls short.   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ma2qcWX4G14

Text: Hebrews 7:11-28 Preacher: Derek Baker

This week, Matt sits down with Pastor Derek to explore his thoughts on interpreting creation in Genesis. They also dive into a brief discussion on salvation for those who lived before Jesus' death and resurrection.   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CIVAIct6GVQ  

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Hebrews 5:11-6:12

This week, Matt sits down with Pastor Derek to discuss the difficult decisions parents face when choosing their children's education. They explore the pros and cons of various options and offer insights on how to avoid the pitfall of making education an idol. This is followed by a conversation about the use of altar calls.   Check us out on Youtube: https://youtu.be/EdwFDJYU9Xg  

Preacher: Matthew Ellison Text: Genesis 1:28

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10

This week Pastor Derek explains his dissertation in layman's terms, followed by a discussion on slavery in the bible.   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aveHYqOe0do  

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Hebrews 4:1-13

This week, Matt sits down with Pastor Derek to preview the new sermon series on the book of Hebrews. They start by exploring the likely audience and author before unpacking what it means to "go back to our old ways." They discuss how this concept applies to our modern lives and how we can guard against falling into the same temptations.   Check out the relating Sermon, "Jesus and the Definitive Word" https://youtu.be/YjoBSM6GZvY?t=2109   Subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ttoONkzy0R8  

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-4; 3:1-6

This week, Pastor Derek sits down with Matt to explore how the Holy Spirit interacted with humanity before and after Pentecost. They then dive into the parable of the 10 Minas, unpacking its meaning and the key takeaways we should apply. Finally, they discuss the Sabbath, offering practical advice on how college students can honor it.   Check us out on Youtube: https://youtu.be/dcYy5raJ8Rk  

Preacher: Nathaniel Lee Text: John 17

This week Pastor Nathaniel expands upon his final sermon as Associate Pastor of Center Grace Church. He addresses the question, "How can we begin to practically live out the vision for unity and community that Jesus calls us to."   Check out the relating sermon, "I in Them and You in Me" https://youtu.be/fEdPxSa2mlI?t=2376   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8vlbxlAkyFM

This week, Pastor Derek and Pastor Nathaniel sit down with Matt to discuss a variety of topics, including whether angels walk among us, the meaning of the 'fear of the Lord,' whether we should sing the Psalter, and if communion should only be taken during a Sunday service—plus much more!   Check us out and subscribe on YouTube to be alerted to new episodes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8guvVdVAF8

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: John 4:1-26, 28-30

This week, Pastor Derek and Pastor Nathaniel sit down with Matt to discuss whether hating our sin should extend to hating flaws within ourselves. They then transition to a discussion on whether God hates, favors, or has preferences. Finally, they conclude with a recap of how they handled the Church gathering during the COVID pandemic and what they learned from the experience.   Check us out and subscribe on YouTube to get alerts when new episodes drop: https://youtu.be/W7Bk_gg__iU

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Psalm 134

Text: Isaiah 1:10-20 Preacher: Nathaniel Lee

This week, Pastor Nathaniel sits down with Matt to discuss how our individualistic culture influences our understanding of Scripture and the church. They then explore the similarities and differences in God's presence when believers gather for worship versus when they pray or worship alone. The podcast concludes with a discussion on what Catholicism gets wrong about the Pope.   "Inventing the Individual" -  Larry Siedentop https://www.amazon.com/Inventing-Individual-Origins-Western-Liberalism/dp/0674417534   Check out the relating Sermon, "You (All) Are the Temple" https://youtu.be/7pIakN8pH-o?t=2675    

This week, Pastor Derek and Pastor Nathaniel share their spiritual journeys—from growing up with doubts and experiencing spiritual warfare to ultimately becoming pastors.   Check us out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0TeyUMdcROg  

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Psalm 147

Preacher: Nathaniel Lee Text: Ephesians 2:11-22 

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Psalm 126

Audio Issues: Apologies for the intermittent issues with Derek's mic! This week, Pastor Derek sits down with Matt to discuss whether a Christian couple should commit to a future together despite having different desires. They follow up with a conversation about how the word "righteousness" is often used. The episode concludes with a discussion on how posture and raising hands impact worship. Derek also talks about the elements, forms, and circumstances of a worship service and how to think about them.

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Psalm 29

Preacher: Nathaniel Lee Text: Isaiah 41:1-13

This week, Pastor Derek and Pastor Nathaniel sit down with Matt to evaluate the theology of various Christmas carols. They discuss what it means for Christ to be fully man while also fully divine. They conclude with a conversation about how the inability to forgive oneself is often rooted in idolatry.

Preacher: Derek Baker Text:  Isaiah 40:21-31

Preacher: Nathaniel Lee Text: Isaiah 40:12-20

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Isaiah 40:6-11

This week Pastor Nathaniel and Pastor Derek sit down with Matt to discuss the following topics: What to think of Matthew 7 verses 21-23; The difference between the sufficiency vs. efficiency of Christ's atonement; Whether all uncontacted humans are destined for Hell; How to let go of idols (body image), and overcoming guilt.   Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCvOOnkamPs

Preacher: T.I. Atkins Text: Isaiah 40:1-5

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Romans 8:31-39

Preacher: Derek Baker Text: Romans 8:31-39

This week Pastor Derek talks with Matt about minor prophets, non-canonical texts, baptisms by immersion, moral obligations relating to civil crimes, and the commercialization of Christmas. They conclude with a long discussion on biblical masculinity & femininity.

Text: Romans 8:28-30 Preacher: Derek Baker