Preach and Persuade

How do you know if God is calling you into vocational ministry? How do you know if you should go to seminary? Where do your desires fit into your calling? Expect to hear answers to these questions as well as Sam's own story of how God called him into ministry and the role that Dan played in process.

Are there more or less essential doctrines in the Christian faith? Are there worse sins? How do we order and rank doctrines and practices? In this episode, Sam and Dan discuss theological and ethical triage. They also discuss the need for triage today, especially in the online Christian media world. Some things are not worth fighting about. How do we know what those issues are?

In this episode, Sam and Dan talk about their recent ministry in the South Pacific. They discuss teaching evangelism cross-culturally as well as their recent experiences doing evangelism.

In this episode, we discuss the buzz around Harrison Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. Throughout Scripture, we see the undeniable reality that Christians are going to be hated by the world. Jesus was called horrible names, slandered, and ultimately killed. He promised nothing different for His disciples. Harrison Butker's speech revealed that the issues of manhood and womanhood are the main issues under attack today. We need to stand firm, like Butker, for what we believe. We cannot cave to name-calling and cancelation attempts. Christians change culture by getting married, having kids, and stepping into the calling of biblical manhood and womanhood. To read the transcript of Butker's speech, click this link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesfarrell/2024/05/15/heres-harrison-butkers-controversial-commencement-speech-in-full/?sh=33d47d3c7937To learn more about our ministry, visit: afci.us

In this episode, we discuss a quote from Doug Wilson from his interview with Tucker Carlson. After Tucker asked Doug why so many people are out to get him even though his Christian beliefs are quite normal, Doug Wilson responded by saying "I mean it." So what does it mean to mean your faith? The Christian life is not a theory. It is a life of action and holy living. Doctrine is meant to be applied. And when it is, it exposes the people whose faith is a mere facade. To learn more about our ministry, visit: afci.us

One of the sins that everyone does to varying degrees is emotional blackmail. Emotional blackmail is when you condemn someone as guilty because he/she hurt your feelings even though he/she did nothing wrong. And often, these feelings are hurt because of unmet expectations. You have to ask yourself, though, are my expectations realistic? And did I communicate these expectations to this person I know am emotionally blackmailing? The solution: be a servant, giver, and helper -- considering others more significant than yourself. To learn more about our ministry, visit: afci.us

How important is reading? In this episode, we make a theological case that reading the written word is deeply significant, not only the Bible but books of all genres in general. Dan and I discuss our journies with reading and several tips for what to read and how to develop a habit of reading. For more about our ministry, visit:afci.us

In this episode, we discuss the controversial "He Gets Us" Super Bowl ad and the foot-washing scene in John 13. What is Jesus teaching by washing His disciple's feet? Why does Jesus only wash the feet of the twelve? What does the Bible mean by love and hate? We answer all these questions and more as we consider the reality of the gospel. For more information about our ministry, visit: afci.us

What motives should characterize gospel ministry? What are the impure motives that tend to stigmatize many preachers and evangelists? What are the methods consistent with the gospel? Does God care about methods? We answer these questions as we unpack 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and consider Paul's ministry amidst a negative world. To learn more about our ministry, visit: afci.us

In this episode, we discuss the history of evangelicalism in America and how we, as evangelical Christians, arrived in a negative world. Long before Aaron Renn popularized his framework of the three worlds of evangelicalism, Dan reminds us that a number of earlier evangelical leaders were warning us about the sudden shift in America in doctrine, morality, and fundamental worldview beliefs. Men like Francis Schaeffer and Chuck Colson are among them. Apparently no one listened to their warnings. To learn more about our ministry, visit:afci.us

Are we in the middle of a conflict with the spiritual forces of evil? Are there demons working actively against the truth and the kingdom of God? What is our responsibility in this spiritual war? How do we fight and resist the doctrine of demons? Join us as we talk with John Stambaugh as he traces the theme of the cosmic conflict through Scripture.For more information about our ministry, visit: afci.ushttps://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcglYou can follow John on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/johnwstambaugh/

What does true manhood look like? What things should a young man pursue in his life? What place do physical strength and fighting ability have in defining manhood? How important is physical appearance? King David serves as an ideal that young men can strive towards. His life exemplifies biblical manhood and maturity. To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo support this podcast and my ministry, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

Is there a future for the nation of Israel? Are Jews still considered God's people? What is the relationship between Israel and the Church? What are the different positions regarding Romans 11:26? Is there more than one meaning of Jew? To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo support this show and my ministry visit:https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

In this episode, we discuss what a true man is by contrasting true manhood with the sons of worthlessness. Throughout the Old Testament, especially in the book of 1 Samuel, a recurring title shows up -- son of worthlessness. A son of worthlessness is what a man should not be. The life of a worthless man is a life a man must reject in order to be a true, godly man. To learn more about our ministry, visit: afci.usTo support our ministry and this podcast, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

In this episode, we discuss our evangelistic experiences at KU in September of 2023. We regularly practice two types of evangelism: open-air dialogues where students initiate conversations with us and initiative evangelism where we initiate conversations with students. In this episode, we play audio recordings of how we begin our conversations with students when doing initiative evangelism. Also, we tell a story of our experience with a street preacher at KU. To learn more about our ministry, visit: afci.usTo help fund my ministry and this podcast, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

What is the difference between an itinerate preacher and a pastor? Does the church need itinerate evangelists? What does the ministry of an itinerate preacher and evangelist look like? Join Dan and me, as we talk with Stan Hankins, an itinerate preacher and evangelist who has served as an itinerant preacher for over 30 years. To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo donate, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

Dan and I discuss the current state of masculinity. More and more statistics and studies confirm a real problem among men. And the cultural narrative continues to equate biblical masculinity with toxicity and mental illness. Dan and I key into the issue of spiritual warfare. The devil wants to make men impotent and passive. The devil wants men to be infertile and immoral.To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo donate, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

This is part two of our discussion on the miraculous gifts in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Does Paul use tongues as a private prayer language? Is tongues cognitive speech? Why does Paul value prophecy over tongues in the context of the church? And most importantly, have the gifts in Corinth continued into today? To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo donate, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

We continue our debate of continuationism and cessationism as we walk through 1 Corinthians 12-14. Is Paul describing a situation that is descriptive of only the first-century church? Is Paul teaching that the gift of tongues is now a private prayer language? Is the gift of prophecy that Paul is urging the Corinthians to seek the same type of prophecy we see in the Old Testament? We answer these questions and more as we consider how this passage of Scripture applies to us today. To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo support my ministry financially, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

Have the miraculous sign gifts ceased? That is the question Mason and I debate in this episode. Mason gives his most convincing arguments for the continuationist position, and I give my most convincing arguments for the cessationist position. Both of us seek to be as biblical as possible. To learn more about my ministry, visit: afci.usTo donate, visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

This is the second episode in our series on cessationism and continuationism. In this episode, we consider the errors propagated by the Word of Faith and Prosperity gospel teachers. Since the miraculous gifts are such a central part of their ministries, it seems pertinent that we distinguish ourselves from them. Expect to hear us talk about their teaching on trips to heaven, the little god's doctrine, the promise of health and wealth in this life, and more. To learn more about my ministry, visit:afci.usTo support my ministry visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

Jesus Christ is the eternal God through whom all things were made. As Paul begins his main arguments against the false teachers plaguing the Colossians Church, he starts with the most incredible statements on the nature of Jesus Christ. Truly, any christ who does not possess the attributes displayed in Colossians 1:15-20 is not the Christ who saves.

What is the Pentecostal belief on the second experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Why do we think it is unbiblical? How did Pentecostalism begin? What are the abuses of charismatic gifts and doctrines? We answer these questions in this introductory episode to a series on continuationism and cessationism. In this series, I join my friend, brother in Christ, and fellow church member Mason Skaggs. Mason is a continuationist, and I am a cessationist. In the series, we are going to give a defense for our views on the miraculous gifts of the Spirit: tongues, interpretation of tongues, healing, and prophecy. But first, we wanted to begin with the issues we agreed upon. To learn more about my ministry visit: afci.usTo support my ministry and this podcast visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

What does the New Testament prescribe for local church leadership? Who are the officers of the local church? Is there a difference between the pastor, elder, and overseer? Should local churches have a plurality of elders? What is the authority of the elder? What is elder-led congregational ruled polity? What is the office of deacon? We answer all of these questions in this concluding episode of our series on the doctrine of the church. To help support my ministry and this podcast, visit:https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

What is the Lord's Supper? What are the historic positions? How often should we celebrate supper? What does it mean to take the supper in an unworthy manner? Who should take the supper? Why are transubstantiation and consubstantiation unbiblical? We answer all of these questions in this discussion on the Lord's Supper. To learn more about my ministry visit: afci.usTo donate visit: https://pushpay.com/g/acfiusa?fnd=yxHf05h0MbuQZgrnfWrSmQ&fndv=Lock&lang=en&src=pcgl

What are the New Covenant signs? What is a Baptist view of baptism? What does baptism represent? Why do we believe that paedobaptism is unbiblical? We answer all these questions in this episode as we discuss the church ordinance of baptism and give our biblical defense for credobaptism. For more information about my ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

Does the NT prescribe a specific type of church government structure? Who wields the keys of the kingdom? Do bishops or elders have authority over the church, or does the congregation have authority? In this episode, we will make our defense for the congregational polity in which the members of the church wield the keys of the kingdom. For more information about my ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

In this episode, we discuss the regulative principle versus the normative principle. God does regulate how He is to be worshiped when His people gather. We are not free to do whatever we want. Indeed, God created us for the very purpose of worshipping Him. It makes sense that He would tell us how we are to do it. When we gather, we must preach the word, read the word, pray the word, sing the word, and display the word. For more information about my ministry visit, afci.us

The relationship between Israel, the church, and the Kingdom is one of the most consequential issues in biblical theology. It has downstream effects on ecclesiology, eschatology, political theology, and even soteriology. Broadly speaking, covenant theology sees far more continuity between these three entities, while dispensational theology sees more discontinuity. In this episode, Cody Weckerly, Adam Nesvold, and I defend our view that all three are distinct yet related. For more info on my ministry visit, afci.us

In this episode, Cody Weckerly, Adam Nesvold, and I discuss the function and mission of the church. What the church does stems from what the church is. According to Greg Allison the church function as a covenantal, confessional, missional, and spatio-temporal/eschatological community. For more information about my ministry visit afci.usFor more information about Harvest Plains Church visit harvestplains.org

In this episode, I sit down with Cody Weckerly and Adam Nesvold of Harvest Plains Church to discuss the nature and identity of the church. After discussing some misconceptions, we give a biblical definition of what the church is. The church is the New Covenant people of God saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ, regenerated by the Spirit, who assemble regularly to worship God. To learn more about my ministry visit, afci.usTo learn more about Harvest Plains Church, visit harvestplains.org

In this episode, I talk with pastors Cody Weckerly and Adam Nesvold of Harvest Plains Church. Cody Weckerly began the process of planting Harvest Plains Church exactly four years ago. When planting a church, all matters of ecclesiology must be thought through. If you are going to plant a church, you have to know what the church is and what the church does. Before getting into theology, we reminisce about the first year of planting Harvest Plains. To learn more about my ministry with AFCI, visit: afci.usTo learn more about Harvest Plains Church, visit: harvestplains.org

In this episode, we discuss the texts of Scripture that command the Christian to judge his fellow brother in the Lord. The Christian duty of judging really is the church discipline process. We look at Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5, and 1 Timothy 5:17-21. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

Every Christian has heard the statement, "Jesus said that we are not supposed to judge." But is this true? Is there a place in the Christian life where we are commanded to exercise judgment of others? There certainly is. In this episode, Dan and I look at the common texts that people use to defend their position that Christians are not supposed to judge others, and we explain why those texts are not saying what people think they are saying. In the next episode, we will look at the texts that command us to judge. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

In this episode, we interview Mack Tomlinson. Mack is one of five pastors at Providence Chapel in Denton, Texas. He also maintains a ministry of itinerate preaching and teaching around the US. Mack served as the editor of HeartCry, a journal on revival and spiritual awakening, which gave him a unique knowledge on revival. In this episode, Mack explains the events in and around the revivals that took place on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland with Duncan Campbell and the earlier Welsh revivals. He also talks about the Canadian Revivals in the 1970s. To buy Mack's latest book on the Brainerd brothers, visit: https://heritagebooks.org/products/the-indomitable-brainerds-the-gospel-legacy-of-david-and-john-brainerds-mission-to-the-indians-tomlinson-mack-m.htmlTo learn more about our ministry, including Mack's, visit: afci.us

Dan and I went around the union at KU and asked students two questions: 1) what is a Christian? 2) what is the disposition on this campus towards Christianity? I recorded their responses for you to hear. We then offer our insights and thoughts concerning the state of Christianity at KU and discuss methods to effectively do evangelism. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit afci.us

In this episode, we zoom into the two key figures of the second great awakening, Asahel Nettleton and Charles Finney. Nettleton was of the "old way," much in the grain of Jonathan Edwards, believing that revival and conversion were sovereign works of God. Finney launched the "new way," which believed revival could be manufactured by man. Though Finney was reported to have 250,000 converts, history shows that most were illegitimate. Nettleton was reported to have 25,000 converts, of which 90 percent or more were true converts. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

In this episode, we give an overview of the second great awakening and its key figures. The awakening began in the late 18th century after the Revolutionary War quenched Christianity in America. Christianity in America has never been the same since the second great awakening. It completely changed the religious fabric of society and denominational adherence. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

Likely the most amazing example of true revival in church history is the first great awakening. Various revivals impacted New England, England, and Europe in a period of about 40-50 years, starting in 1727. In this episode, we walk through the timeline of events beginning with the Moravian Pentocast at Herrhut, moving to the Wesleys and Whitefield in England and Georgia, and finally, ending with the events of Northampton, Massachusetts, with Jonathan Edwards. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

In this episode, Dan and I look at two Old Testament passages as examples of revival: 1 Samuel 7 and 2 Kings 22-23. We also discuss the state that God's people are often in when revival is needed. Finally, we talk about the blessings and products of revival. Revival always leads to true repentance of real sin, which manifests in outward living. For the Old Testament saints, this meant a reclamation of God's law and the destruction of idols. For your own personal study, here are a number of OT passages that you can read as examples of revival. Joshua 24, 2 Chronicles 14: 1-15, 1 Kings 22:41-50, 2 Chronicles 34:1-35, 2 Chronicles 19-20, 2 Chronicles 17:1-10, 2 Chronicles 29-32, 2 Samuel 6:12-23, 1 Kings 8:1-65, 2 Kings 11:4-12, The book of Ezra, Nehemiah 8-10. For more information about our ministry or to donate, visit: afci.us

In this episode, Dan and I begin with a brief Old Testament word study of the Hebrew verb Hāyâ, which is often translated as to revive, live again, or bring back to life. Dan then reads a number of definitions of revival developed over the years by Christian theologians and historians. The working definition that we moved forward with is that revival is God's manifest presence that revives and restores God's people to their first love, which has secondary effects on the culture and society around them. To learn more about our ministry or donate, visit: afci.us

Certainly, everyone is talking about the Asbury Revival. Our ministry, Ambassadors for Christ International, has a rich history of revival-type ministry to the point where an aspect of our vision is to "seek revival in the church." In this episode, Dan and I give our tempered thoughts on the Asbury Revival to serve as a way to introduce a mini-series on biblical and historical revival. To learn more about our ministry or to donate, visit:afci.us

There is broad confusion among most American evangelicals when it comes to biblical truth and who to trust. Many cultural experts, scientists, politicians, scholars, media outlets, and even Christian leaders are saying things that clearly contradict much of what the Bible has to say. And yet, these are the people with the degrees and the so-called "expertise." Thus, can the average Christian have any confidence in knowledge and belief? Dan and Sam talk through these issues and basically come to one conclusion: you can trust your Bible.

In this discussion, Dan and Sam build upon the previous episode, where they discussed Acts 4:13 and the reality that the religious leaders recognized that the disciples had been with Jesus. Being with Jesus manifests in a bold and courageous life for the sake of the gospel. There are countless examples of courage in the Bible. Yet, keep in mind that courage presupposes fear. Courage is doing what is right and obeying God even though you are prone to fear. Ultimately, Jesus is the quintessential example of a man of courage. For more information about our ministry and to donate, visit: afci.uspreachandpersuade.com

In Acts 4, the disciples are brought before the Jewish religious leaders and told not to preach the gospel anymore. However, Luke tells us that the religious leaders recognized these men as having been with Jesus. What about the disciples was so Jesus-like? Well, Dan lists three distinguishing characteristics from the text: knowledge, courage, and horizontal love for neighbor. In this episode, we walk through these themes, paying special attention to the distinguishing mark of knowledge. To learn more about our ministry with Ambassadors for Christ or to donate, visit: afci.us

In this episode, Sam and Dan discuss the biblical reality of eternal reward. God promises to reward Christians on the Day of judgment according to how they stewarded their lives. This means that every moment as a Christian counts. God gives us real incentive to take seriously our life in the body. Do not waste your time. Do not waste your faith. For more information about our ministry and to support us, visit:afci.us

In this episode, Sam and Dan discuss the biblical doctrine of stewardship. God has given you all that you have. And God gives gifts to men in order for them to steward those gifts to the glory of God. Stewardship, then, is taking all that God has given you, maximizing the potential of each gift according to biblical priorities, and directing all to the glory of God. Expect to hear a discussion on the stewardship of the body, faith, and time. To learn more about our ministry and to donate, click the link below. afci.us

Dan and I discuss our evangelistic efforts this fall at KU in Lawerence, Kansas. There is a logos, ethos, and pathos to evangelism that we are trying hold in tension. The logos never changes. The message of evangelism is always the one-true gospel. But we as evangelists are claiming that we have been changed by this logos. So, there is an ethos and pathos that we should display and model that is in harmony with the logos we preach. afci.uspreachandpersuade.com

This is our final episode on leadership. Dan and I wrap up the definition of leader with Paul's example in Acts 20 as he speaks to the the Ephesian elders. Paul hits on all of the elements of a spiritual leader: capacity, responsibility, influence, a group of God's people, and purpose. We begin the episode discussing Dan's recent leadership role as the national director of Ambassadors for Christ International. To support our ministry visit: afci.us

A godly leader is someone who has a God given capacity and a God given responsibility, who is influencing a group of God's people towards God's purpose for those people. In part III, Dan and I discuss what it means for a leader to influence people. First, we discuss what God's ultimate purpose and goal is for His people. And second, we discuss how a leader practically does the work of influence: by modeling and teaching. AFCI's website: afci.us

In this episode, Dan and I discuss the second aspect of the definition of leader that we are working through: divine responsibility. Underneath the umbrella of responsibility, we discuss the burden that leaders feel and the reality of accountability. Every leader will have to give an account to God for how they lead His people. If you are a leader, you are responsible; and if you are responsible, you are accountable. Here is a link to our ministry website: https://afci.us/