Heart of Flesh

What is the role of good works in salvation? This is a huge question, and one that has caused a great deal of controversy. All the religions in the world (and some who profess to be Christian) say that, at least in some sense, we are saved by good works. However, the Scriptures teach that God "Saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior." (Titus 3:5-6)Now that's sometimes hard for us to believe isn't it? In fact, if that's true, then it seems that there is no need for good works at all... and maybe we should just "continue in sin that grace may abound." (Romans 6:1) But that is most certainly not what the Scriptures teach. Rather, a careful study of Scripture (and Ephesians 2:10) makes clear that good works are indeed part of our salvation. However, they are the fruit and not the root of our salvation. They are the effect and not the cause. Just as we read in Ephesians 2:10, in Christ Jesus, we have been created in Christ Jesus for good works, that He has prepared beforehand. Tune into this episode to hear more!This sermon was first preached by Joshua Molden at River City Church on Thursday, June 12th, 2025.

Blaise Pascal once said: “All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man, even of those who hang themselves.”I think he is spot in saying this. We cannot escape the fact that we act according to what we desire and we can't escape the fact that we desire joy. However, once we recognize that, a significant question arises... How does our pursuit of joy fit with God's pursuit of his glory? On the one hand the Bible clearly teaches that the world is about the glory of God (all things are from him and through him and to him - Rom. 11:36) and that whatever we do, we are to "do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). Yet, we wonder, is there any room for our joy in this radically God-centered universe? And the answer of the Bible is yes! These two great realities are intimately linked together because one of the ways that God intends to get glory for himself is by bringing great joy to his people. This is one of the realities that we see in Psalm 65 and that this sermon focuses on.Here's a great quote from the famous Pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones when asked to give a definition of a Christian:“If you were to ask me to give a definition of a Christian I should say that he is one who, since believing in Christ, feels himself to be the happiest man in the world and longs for everybody else to be equally happy!”This sermon was originally preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on Sunday, June 15th, 2025.

The most important question in the world is the question of how people get saved. The question of exactly how it is that sinful humans can become right with a holy God. On this question hangs the eternal destiny of every person. In this passage in Ephesians 2:8-9, the Apostle Paul lays out some of the most foundational truths of the gospel message that set Christianity apart from every other religion and belief system in the world. In every other religion and every false gospel man is saved by something that is in himself, but the true gospel is different. The true gospel is a gospel of salvation by grace through faith, which, "is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." The beautiful outcome of the true gospel message, which once again sets it apart from everything else, is that God has orchestrated in such a way that "no one may boast." That is, instead of salvation that is accomplished through human effort and and human merit, and that would result in the praise of humanity, the true Gospel brings a salvation that is entirely by the grace of God and so completely abounds for His glory. True salvation is accomplished by the grace of God alone and for the glory of God alone!This message was originally preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on Thursday, 6/5/2025.

In Ephesians 2:1-3, the Apostle lays out the hopeless plight of fallen humanity. He says that fallen humanity is dead in trespasses and sins, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air (Satan). He says that by nature we are children of wrath and that our lives were once dominated by the passions of our flesh (a reference to the destructive desires of our sinful nature). But then in v. 4 we find some of the greatest words in the Bible... "But God..." Just like the stars that shine the brightest on the darkest night, in this verse we see that gospel shines brightest against the black backdrop of human depravity. Right on the heels of this bleak description Paul says that God, "being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ..." Our hope in this episode is similar to the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:18-19, that you "May have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." This sermon was originally preached by James Kaczor at River City Church on Thursday, 5/5/2025.

Many Christians today tend to have very low views of the Church. In fact, many people treat the Church like a pesky side effect of coming to Jesus. They want all the benefits that Jesus provides, without all the mess of belonging to the Church. But the Bible shows us a much different picture of the Church than we often hear. The Bible often makes reference to the Church as the Bride of Christ, and Ephesians 5:25 says that Christ "loved the church, and gave himself up for her." It also the Church which Christ said that he would build and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. No other institution has shares in either the promises or the presence of Christ like the Church. And here in this passage we see even more how essential the Church is to the life of a Christian. Paul uses this idea of the "body of Christ" as a metaphor for the church, and in that we see that to Christ and his Church are inseparably united. In other words, we can't have one without the other. We can't be united to Christ without also being united to his Church.This sermon was preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church in Fargo, ND, on 4/24/2025.

In Acts 11:19-30, we see the founding of the Church at Antioch. This Church, which seems to be the first Church to bring in many Gentiles, is a church that plays a major role in the book of Acts and throughout Church History. As we look at this passage we find some interesting developments of the church in Acts and also many things that are applicable for the life of the church today. Tune into this episode to learn more.This sermon was first preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church in Fargo, ND, on 5/18/2025.

Throughout the Old Testament we find many promises of a great Messianic King who would bring about a great and everlasting kingdom. For example, in the book of Genesis we see in God's promises to Abraham that there would be a king that comes from him. In Genesis 49:10 we see that this king would come from the tribe of Judah and that the scepter would never depart from him… Elsewhere, in Isaiah Ch. 9, we read of a coming "Prince of Peace," and Isaiah says that "the government (the kingdom) shall be upon his shoulder," and that "of the increase of government and of peace there will be no end." That he will "rule on the throne of David and over his kingdom."Even further, we read in Daniel 7, in a vision of the coming Son of Man, that "to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples and nations and languages would serve him: his dominion would be an everlasting dominion and his kingdom would be one that shall not be destroyed." But who is this great King? In Ephesians 1:20-21, the Apostle Paul sees the risen Christ as the fulfillment of many Old Testament passages about the Messianic King and specifically as the fulfillment of Psalm 110. He says that the risen Christ has now been "seated" (enthroned) at the right of God in the heavenly places, where he is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named." The risen Christ has inaugurated the kingdom of God that was spoken of in the Old Testament and he has been granted "all authority in heaven and on earth." (Matthew 28:18). Tune in to this episode to learn more!This message was originally preached by Jackson Hankey at River City's Thursday morning Bible study on 4/17/2025.

When Jesus looks at the world he sees only two types of people. There are people who are blessed by God (see verses 20-23) and there are people who are cursed by God (see verses 24-26). Those who embrace Jesus by repentance and faith are the blessed recipients of God's favor, while those who do not are the cursed recipients of his righteous judgment. In this sermon by Jesus in Luke 6:20-26, he teaches us what these two different types of people look like and he points us to what their final outcome will be, both of which comprise quite a surprising reversal. As you listen, let me encourage you to consider which of these two descriptions that Jesus gives best fits your life. Are you the one to whom Jesus is saying "Blessed are you who..." or are you the one to whom Jesus is saying "Woe to you who...?" If, after listening, you find that you are in that second category, then my prayer to you is that this sermon would lead to you to the type of godly sorrow over sin that Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 7:10 - "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret."This episode is a sermon that was originally given by Jackson Hankey at Bethel Baptist Church in Park River, ND, on April 13th, 2025.

With Easter Sunday quickly approaching it is an appropriate time to discuss the all-important doctrine of resurrection. In this episode, which is originally a message given during River City Church's Thursday morning Bible Study by Jackson Hankey, he explores the remarkable teaching of the Apostle Paul that believers have become partakers of the same resurrection power that was at work in the resurrection of Christ. Because of our union with Him, we share in the same resurrection reality. As Paul says in Romans 6:5, "For if we have been united with him (Christ) in a death like his we will also be united with him in a resurrection like his." And what's more, this resurrection power is not only a future reality that we will experience on the final day, but it is also a present reality at work in believers in the present. Even in this life, every believer experiences a glorious foretaste of the resurrection power of God that will be brought to it's fullness on the final day. Tune in to learn more!

This episode is a sermon on Ephesians 1:13-14 given by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on March 20th, 2025. The text that this sermon covers is listed below with the main phrases I focus on in BOLD:"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory" - Ephesians 1:13-14 ESVIn this sermon I discuss the means which the Spirit uses to bring about faith and salvation in the world, namely, the preaching of the gospel, as well as the necessity of hearing and believing it. I also discuss what it means that we have been sealed with the Spirit as a guarantee (or down payment) of our inheritance of future glory. Enjoy!

In the church today there is much debate and confusion about the Holy Spirit, and while this short message on Ephesians 1:13 isn't intended to answer all of the questions we may have, it does make one very important point about the Spirit clear. That is that a person cannot be a Christian without the Holy Spirit. We see here in these verses that the sealing of the Holy Spirit is a spiritual blessing from God the Father to all those who are "In him," that is, in Christ. So whoever is "in him" is someone who has received the promised Holy Spirit. This point is made even more clear in other Scriptures as well:In John 3:5, Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"In Romans 8:9, Paul says, "Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him"In a time of much confusion about the Spirit and in a place where everyone believes they're a Christian, this point becomes all the more important to proclaim. Tune in to this episode to hear more!This episode is a sermon on Ephesians 1:13 given by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on Thursday, March 13th, 2025.

This is episode is a message that was given by James Kaczor during River City Church's Thursday morning Bible Study on 2/20/2025. The passage that James covers is Ephesians 1:7-8, which is listed below:"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight..." - Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV

This episode is a message that was given by Joshua Molden at River City Church's Thursday Morning Bible Study on 2/6/2025. The text that Joshua covers in the sermon is Ephesians 1:5-6, listed below:"In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved" - Ephesians 1:5-6 ESV

This episode is a sermon on Ephesians 1:4 given by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on Thursday, January 30th, 2025. This verse unfolds for us the doctrine of Unconditional Election and the sermon draws out 8 things that we learn from this passage about this doctrine. Listed below is the definition I give of Unconditional Election and the 8 things I highlighted about it from Ephesians 1:4Def: "Unconditional Election is the Bible's teaching that God has unchangeably and infallibly chosen before the foundation of the world, and based solely upon his good pleasure and not on any foreseen merit, all of those who will be undeservingly saved."#1 - The Doctrine of Unconditional Election should cause us to praise God#2 - The Doctrine of Unconditional Election is a doctrine for the whole church#3 - God's Unconditional Election of us is the fountainhead of every other spiritual blessing that God gives us#4 - Unconditional Election is an act of the Father through/for the Son#5 - The Doctrine of Unconditional Election teaches us that God, not man, has the determining choice in salvation#6 - God made this determining choice before the foundation of the world#7 - God made this choice unconditionally. Meaning it was not based on any foreseen condition in us. #8 - God elected us with a purpose. That we should ultimately be presented holy and blameless before him in love

This episode is a sermon on Ephesians 1:1-2 which was given by James Kaczor at River City Church on Thursday, Jan. 16th, 2025. This is Paul's introduction to the letter, and as James' mentions it is like an embryo which contains many of the things we see throughout the rest of the book. Now, these are verses that, if we're honest, we are often prone to quickly skimming without really thinking about them, but to do so is to miss some of the great treasures that are to be found. The truth is that God never wastes any words, and if these verses are in the Bible, then God has put them there for a reason. Listen and you will hear more about what that reason might be!

This episode is an introduction to the book of Ephesians which was taught by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on Thursday, Jan. 9th, 2025. As stated in the episode, the book of Ephesians is one of the most important documents in the history of the world. That is largely due to the fact that even though this letter is relatively short, it is one of the clearest and most comprehensive statements of so much of the substance of the Christian beliefs that we hold so dear. Many of God's sheep in all ages have been led by the Great Shepherd to find in this book green pastures and still waters for their souls.This overview of the book covers a few things:1. The Historical Context & Relevant Background of the letter2. The Clear Teaching of Ephesians on SalvationThat it's by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, in Christ Alone, and to the Glory of God Alone 3. The Teaching of Ephesians on the Christian Life4. The Teaching of Ephesians on the Church

This episode is a sermon on Isaiah 53:10-12 that was preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on 12/29/2024. Isaiah 53 is one of the most beloved passages by Christians of all ages because of how clearly it speaks of the work of Jesus even though it was written hundreds of years before he came into the world. Verses 10-12 finish this great passage in the same way that the Bible itself finishes and the same way that all of human history will finish. That is, with a resurrected, highly-exalted, all-glorious Christ, receiving as the fruit of his labor a vast and innumerable people for his own possession. Few passages in the Bible so clearly explain both the redeeming work that Christ accomplished and the way in which he will be gloriously rewarded for it!

This episode is a sermon on Isaiah 53:4-6 that was preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church in Fargo, ND, on 12/15/2024. Isaiah 53 is one of the most beloved passages in the Bible by Christians of all ages and verses 4-6 are at the very heart of the passage. Perhaps nowhere else in the Bible is there such a clear explanation of the significance of the death of Christ as in Isaiah 53:4-6, and that is despite the fact that it was written 700 years before Christ came into the world!Here's a quote about Isaiah 53 from the famous English Preacher Charles Spurgeon."This fifty-third of Isaiah is a Bible in miniature. It is the condensed essence of the gospel. This is the foundation upon which I have built all my hopes for time and for eternity; this is the source of my sweetest consolation; this is the sun that makes my day, and the star that guides my night."

This episode is a sermon on Isaiah 52:13-15 that was preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church in Fargo, ND, on 12/1/2024. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is one the most beloved passages of Scripture by Christians in all ages. This is because it is one of the clearest and most thorough passages that we find about the person and work of Jesus Christ in the entire Bible (despite the fact that it was written by the Prophet Isaiah about 700 years before Christ came into the world). Here are a few quotes that demonstrate the richness of this great passage."There is, indeed, in all the writings of the Old Testament, no plainer text nor prediction, both of the sufferings and the resurrection of Christ, than in this chapter. Therefore all Christians should be well acquainted with it, even know it by heart, in order to strengthen and defend our faith." - Martin Luther on Isaiah 52:13-53:12"This chapter is so replenished with the unsearchable riches of Christ that it may be called rather the gospel of the evangelist Isaiah than the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah." - Matthew Henry on Isaiah 52:13-53:12

This episode is a sermon on the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) that was preached by Jackson Hankey on November 10th, 2024, at Bethel Baptist Church in Park River, ND. The Lord's Prayer is perhaps the most well known and most repeated passage in the entire Bible. Yet, it seems that very few of us have really understood it and taken it to heart. Many of us, in spite of it's familiarity, have been entirely unaffected by it's meaning, especially in our own prayer lives. Yet, the Lord's Prayer in reality is a glorious manifesto of the heart of Biblical Prayer. At the same time, it is both wonderfully profound and remarkably simple. Surely, we would do well to learn about prayer from the Master himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nowhere else in the Bible do we find the command to "Pray then like this."

In this episode, I (Jackson Hankey) address the debate surrounding the topic of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As we have moved to the Holy Spirit in our discussion of the Doctrine of God, it seems fitting to address some of the current controversies surrounding the work of the Holy Spirit, especially those that have arisen out of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. With this in mind, we've decided the first thing to address should be the Biblical concept of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Below is a summary of the Charismatic view, as well as the more common Evangelical view that I will be defending.Charismatic View: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is experienced by some (not all) Christians. It is a special work of the Spirit that is distinct from regeneration and happens after regeneration, meaning that someone can be a born-again believer but not "Baptized in the Spirit." This work of the Spirit is marked by speaking in tongues.Non-Charismatic Evangelical View: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the experience of all (not some) Christians at the moment of regeneration and conversion when they are "baptized" (immersed) in/with/by the Holy Spirit. It is a distinctive blessing of the New Covenant (fulfilling New Covenant prophecies such as Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Joel 2:28-29) that was not experienced by believers under the Old Covenant. It was sometimes (not always) accompanied with the gift of tongues in the New Testament, but that gift ceased to exist in the church after the closing of the Apostolic age. Listen to the episode to hear how each group arrives at their views and for a defense of the second view listed in this description. Enjoy!

In this episode, James Kaczor and I continue our series on the Doctrine of God and now progress to a discussion of the Holy Spirit. This episode has a feeling of unique relevance given the degree of confusion that fills the church today in regard to the person and work of the Holy Spirit. For many, there is a strong tendency to overemphasize or overrealize the person and work of the Holy Spirit in unbiblical ways. However, perhaps just as common, is a tendency to underemphasize and underrealize the Holy Spirit in similarly unbiblical ways. With this in mind, we hope in this episode (and more to follow) to give a biblically accurate picture of the person and work of the Holy Spirit.In this episode we look at two main things.The Identity of the Holy SpiritAs a unique person of the TrinityAs being truly and fully God 2. The Ministry or Role of the Holy Spirit in the ChurchWhat does the Holy Spirit actually do for people?What are the marks of the Spirit in a person's life?

This episode is a sermon that was preached at River City Church by James Kaczor on August 25th, 2024. James' main idea in this sermon is that in the midst of all the trials and tribulations that we encounter in this life, our greatest need is always God himself!1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.Psalm 63:1-3

Throughout history there have been many people and groups who have sought to challenge and subvert the Orthodox beliefs of the church about the Deity of Christ. Oftentimes, these people will point to specific verses in the Bible that they believe prove that Jesus is not truly God. In this episode, I examine a number of those arguments and seek to show how a proper understanding of the Hypostatic Union can answer all of the objections. Below I have listed the arguments that I address in this episode. 1. Christians say that Jesus and the Father are equal, but in John 14:28, Jesus says "the Father is greater than I." How can this be?2. God is omniscient but in Matthew 24:36 Jesus said he didn't know the day or hour he would come back. How can this be?3. James 1:13 says that God cannot be tempted with evil, but Hebrews 4:13 says that "in every respect, (Jesus) has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." How can this be?4. The last thing I discuss in this episode is not necessarily an objection but a question. Was it possible for Jesus to sin?

This episode is a sermon on Psalm 61 that was preached by Joshua Molden at River City Church on 8/11/2024. In this sermon, Joshua emphasizes the neediness of God's people, the power and strength of God as their refuge, provider, and protector, and the ultimate way in which in Psalm 61 is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This Psalm gives us a picture of what it looks like to be a needy and sinful creature that lives with faith in a powerful and gracious Redeemer. "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy." - Psalm 61:1-3

This episode is a sermon on Psalm 58 that was preached by Jackson Hankey at River City Church on July 21st, 2024. Psalm 58 is what is known as an imprecatory Psalm. It is a Psalm of David in which he describes and prays against the wickedness of his own day, and in which he also looks forward to the final day when God will bring perfect justice. In this Psalm, David is both looking backward to Genesis 3 (where we find the first promise of Christ in the bible) and he is looking forward to the day when Christ will fulfill all that has been promised about him.If you're interested to learn more about the way the rest of the Bible builds on the first gospel promise of Genesis 3:15, read the article linked below:https://cf.sbts.edu/equip/uploads/2010/07/sbjt_102_sum06-hamilton.pdf

In this episode, James and I discuss and recommend some of our favorite resources that have helped us to grow in Christ. This includes many of our favorite books, favorite Podcasts, Favorite Christian Music Artists, Favorite Phone Apps, etc... *Please note that these things should be in addition to, and never replace, the most important spiritual disciplines of Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship in the body of Christ. Below is a list of the different categories we discuss and where in the episode you can find them:5:50 - 5 Most Influential Christian Books that We've Read17:55 - Books on Systematic Theology25:10 - Books on Biblical Theology30:10 - Books on Evangelism31:55 - Books on Church History35:20 - Books on Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church)37:20 - Books on World Missions39:50 - Books on Personal Sanctification/Practical Theology44:55 - Books on Marriage50:20 - Book on Parenting52:15 - Books on Apologetics54:08 - Our Favorite Christian Podcasts 1:01:40 - Our Favorite Preachers to Listen to (In addition to our own pastors)1:03:40 - Creeds/Confessions/Catechisms1:04:55 - Our Favorite Phone Apps and Christian Music Artists

In this episode, James Kaczor and I continue discussing the Doctrine of God and the Person of Christ. Here we aim not only to show that the Bible teaches the true humanity of Jesus (that he is "Like us in all respects, apart from sin") but we also aim to draw out some of the theological and practical significance of this reality. Jeremiah 9:23-2423 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

In this episode, James Kaczor and I continue our discussion of the Doctrine of God by focusing on the Divine nature of Jesus. The New Testament presents Jesus as not just a man but as God incarnate. And it does this in a great variety of ways. Some of these ways are simple and obvious and some of these ways are more subtle. Our goal in this episode is to present these many different ways and especially to focus on those that are more subtle. Our hope for those who listen to this is two-fold:That you would be overwhelmed by the tidal wave of evidence that Jesus is God and that you would worship him as such.That you would grow in your ability to read the New Testament, and especially the Gospels, in a way that uncovers the glorious identity of Jesus Christ more clearly. We aim to show the powerful truths that the gospel writers are teaching about Jesus when we approach the gospels with what we call an "Old Testament Mind." Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV) 23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

This episode is a short sermon by James Kaczor from John 7:37-39. In this sermon, James explains how these few short verses have much to say about who Jesus is and what he has come to do!John 7:37-3937 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

In this episode, James Kaczor and I build on the previous one, where we discussed some of the Trinitarian hints of the Old Testament. Our goal is to show beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the New Testament undeniably teaches the Doctrine of the Trinity, and brings further clarity to what is hinted throughout the Old Testament. We believe this is a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith, and that one cannot deny it and yet remain a Christian. As such, it is extremely important for Christians to have a basic understanding of the Trinity and be able to defend this doctrine from the Scriptures. Our hope is that this episode will help you to do so. Enjoy!Jeremiah 9:23-2423 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

In this episode, James Kaczor and I continue our discussion on the Doctrine of God and specifically the Doctrine of the Trinity. We firmly believe (along with all of historic and orthodox Christianity) that the one God is and has always existed as a Trinity of Persons, each person being truly God.And even though we don't get a fully revealed doctrine of the Trinity until the New Testament and the coming of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, we can see that there are still many passages throughout the Old Testament that are hinting at this reality. In this episode, our goal is to unfold some of those passages and bring to light these Trinitarian "hints." Jeremiah 9:23-3423 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

In this episode, Joshua Molden and I give an introduction to the Doctrine of the Trinity. After establishing our need of the Scriptures for a sufficient knowledge of God (previous episode), we now begin to examine what the Scriptures reveal to us about God, and we begin with this glorious doctrine of the Trinity. Our goal in the episode is to lay out and defend three statements that the Bible teaches about God, and endeavor to show how they fit together. Our goal is not to remove all the mystery of the Doctrine of the Trinity, but only to bring some helpful clarity.There is only one true and living GodThe one God exists eternally as a Trinity of Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)Each person is fully GodIf you'd like to study this issue more, a great resource to look at is the Athanasian Creed

Is it possible for humans to know God apart from the Bible? If it is, what can we learn about God? Is it possible to know God through the use of human reason? Or what about observing God's creation? Are these things enough for a person to be saved?In this episode, we discuss the necessity of Special Revelation (i.e. the Bible) for a saving knowledge of God. This means that in order for us to know enough about God to experience true salvation, we need God to reveal himself to us in a special way. We argue that although there is much we can understand about God through General Revelation and human reason, these things apart from the Bible are insufficient to teach us all that we need to know about God.

In this episode, James and I introduce a new series we're beginning on the Doctrine of God. In doing so, our prayer for our listeners is much like that of the Apostle Peter for his readers - that you might "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) and like that of the Apostle Paul to the Colossians - that you might be "bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10) We believe that the Doctrine of God is the most important doctrine in the Bible and in this episode we give a number of reasons why!"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts, boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth." (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

In this episode, Joshua Molden preaches a short sermon from Joshua chapter 6. In this chapter of the Bible, we find the ancient people of God taking their first steps into the promised land and facing off against the city of Jericho. This was the land that God had promised to give to Abraham and his offspring hundreds of years earlier (Genesis 12:1; 17:8), and now the time has come for God to fulfill his promise. In this short sermon, Joshua highlights the meaning of this text and how it applies to us today in the New Covenant.

This episode is a short sermon by James Kaczor on Esther Chapter 6. In the book of Esther we find something very interesting, and it's that there is no mention of God anywhere in the entire book. This is especially strange considering that the different names for God (God/Lord) are by far the most commonly found nouns in the Bible (Because the Bible is a book about God). However, in this short book, there is no mention of God. Why is this? Well, in this short sermon, James will show that even though the book of Esther doesn't use the name of God, it is clear that the fingerprints of God are all over the book and its events. In this book we see a wonderful picture of God's Providence at work to save his people and bring shame to his enemies.

This episode is a 20-minute sermon on the first 12 verses of the book of Job. Even though the book of Job is perhaps the oldest book in the Bible, it deals with an issue that is relevant to every age and every culture. That issue is the reality of human suffering. This is an issue that we all must face and it's an issue that confounds the best of human wisdom. However, the Word of God in general (and the book of Job in particular) presents us with some helpful insights into this issue. In this short sermon, I try to highlight a few things from Job 1 that help us understanding suffering from a biblical perspective.

This episode is a sermon on Psalm 49 which I (Jackson) gave at River City Church in Fargo, ND, on August 20th, 2023. This is a Psalm that confronts us with the reality of eternity, shows us the insufficiency of earthly wealth, and points us to the greatest of all treasures, which is the person and work of Jesus Christ!Psalm 39:4-5 4 “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

In this episode, James and I discuss the Spiritual Discipline of Christian Fellowship. As creatures made in the image and likeness of a Triune God, we are made to be relational and exist in community. As redeemed Christians, we are commanded to partake in the fellowship of the saints. In this episode, we talk about all of the blessings that this brings, and we demonstrate from the Bible that this is an essential part of the spiritual life of every Christian! "Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God's people" - Charles SpurgeonIf you'd like to give to support James in his ministry with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at NDSU - Click on this link below

In this episode James and I discuss the great privilege of prayer. We rejoice in the fact that God has first spoken to us, and that he invites us to speak back to him. We talk about how constant and persistent prayer is necessary in the life of a Christian, and we give some practical advice from the Scriptures and our own lives about how we are to pray.

This episode is all about practical advice for Bible Intake! As such, our goal is to give you some helpful tips that will enable you to grow spiritually through hearing the word preached, reading the word for yourself, and committing yourself to deep, lifelong study of the word. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which comes from the mouth of God" - Deuteronomy 8:3/Matthew 4:4"Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the Book widens and deepens with our years" - Charles Spurgeon

In this episode, James and I discuss the importance of hearing, reading, and studying the Word of God. As Christians, we are called to build the foundation of our lives upon the solid rock of God's word. It is this same word that is the primary means that God uses to save and sanctify his people. As such it is imperative for the Christian to be immersed into God's word. Psalm 119:36-37 - Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

In this episode, I am joined by Levi Glaser. Levi is a recent graduate of the New Life Center's Genesis Recovery Program in Fargo, ND. (This is the program that I work at) I invited Levi on the podcast to share his story of addiction, recovery, and redemption in Christ. Enjoy!

The title of this episode is very self-explanatory. The point is to give some practical tips that have helped us to make our phones less of a distraction and more of a helpful tool. Our phones have many great capabilities, but they can also be very harmful. As Christians, we need to evaluate our phone usage and seek to maximize what is good (what glorifies God and promotes our spiritual health) and minimize what is harmful. We pray that these practical tips will help you as they have helped us!Here is a link that includes each tip and instructions for how to implement it in your phone settings

In this episode, we talk about the most common things that keep us away from Spiritual Disciplines, how they can detract from our walk with Christ, and we give some practical advice for overcoming these obstacles. Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heartoffleshpodcast/Ask us Questions - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeibNhMvJzlnDeEQS304gYEeunTLwYsl5UWJ3iNNPP2glbhJA/viewform?usp=sf_link

We live in a day and age where the quick and convenient is much preferred to the slow and tedious. However, the Christian is called to a lifestyle of diligence and patience in seeking God and growing in godliness. One of the primary ways we we are called to do this is through the use of spiritual disciplines. In this episode, we discuss the definition of the spiritual disciplines and their purpose in the life of a Christian. Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heartoffleshpodcast/Have questions? Please feel free to ask them at the link below and we will try to answer them in a future episode!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeibNhMvJzlnDeEQS304gYEeunTLwYsl5UWJ3iNNPP2glbhJA/viewform?usp=sf_link

This episode is a recording of a sermon preached at River City Church in Fargo, ND, by Joshua Molden on May 14, 2023, and it is posted with the permission of River City Church. It is a passage where Jesus commends a poor widow for her financial offering, though it was much smaller than the giving of the rich. The main question of the sermon is "What makes our giving good?" Enjoy!Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heartoffleshpodcast/

This episode is a 20 minute sermon given by James Kaczor as a project for River City Institutes. The point of the passage is to show the way in which God is reconciling the world to himself. Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heartoffleshpodcast/

This episode is a 20 minute sermon given by Jackson Hankey as a final project for River City Institutes. The passage is Romans 3:21-26, a passage which John Piper called "the Mount Everest of the Bible." The main theme of the sermon is that, in Christ, God gives to us the righteousness which he requires from us. Follow us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heartoffleshpodcast/

In this episode, James and I defend Perseverance of the Saints by addressing a common "problem passage," and we give some final thoughts for the series on the Doctrines of Grace! Have questions? Please feel free to ask them at the link below and we will try to answer them in a future episode!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeibNhMvJzlnDeEQS304gYEeunTLwYsl5UWJ3iNNPP2glbhJA/viewform?usp=sf_link