The PACT Podcast

In this episode of The PACT Podcast we discuss the topic of depression and anxiety and how prevalent these issue are in our culture, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the stigma surrounding mental health in the church and the importance of having open conversations about it. We also explore the difference between anxiety and anxiousness and emphasize the need for a holistic approach to mental health, considering both the physical and spiritual aspects. We share some personal experiences and offer strategies for coping with anxiety and depression, such as relying on the truths of Scripture, taking care of one's physical health, and seeking support from others. The episode concludes with book recommendations for further reading on the topic. Book Recommendations: When Pain is Real and God Seems Silent: Finding Hope in the Psalms – Ligon Duncan Does Grace Grow Best in Winter – Ligon Duncan When the Darkness Will Not Lift – John Piper The Hidden Smile of God – John Piper God's Grace in Your Suffering – David Powlison Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness – Edward T. Welch Depression, Anxiety, and The Christian Life – Michael S. Lundy and J.I. Packer Bright Days and Dark Nights With Charles Spurgeon – Elizabeth Ruth Skoglund

In this episode of the Pact Podcast we discuss the topic of the sanctity of human life, particularly focusing on the unborn. We ask questions about when life begins according to the Bible, referencing passages from Genesis and other parts of Scripture. We also address potential contradictions raised by those who question the pro-life stance, such as the support for gun rights and capital punishment and whether the government has a role in protecting life, what else needs to be done now that Roe V Wade has been overturned and whether there are any exceptions to the pro-life stance. The episode concludes with a call to action, encouraging you to support faith-based pregnancy resource centers and engage in loving and persuasive conversations about the value of life.

What qualifies as entertainment? Is entertainment just escapism? How conscientious should we be with what entertainment we take in? Does how much entertainment we're taking in matter? What implications does our entertainment have on our time with The Lord? Why do we desire one type of entertainment more than another?

What are we looking forward to the most in 2024? What are you dreading in 2024? What are some hopes and goals for 2024? 

Today we just have a little fun remembering and telling stories of ministry mishaps and blunders.  

Should Christians defend themselves when they are slandered?  What about when there is physical threat to themselves or to their families?  How does our understanding of self defense align with the New Testament teachings about persecution and our response to it?  

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  What does the Bible say about giving thanks, and what does our gratitude, or lack thereof, say about our faith in Jesus?  Today we try to answer these questions and others around the topic.  

Has God spoken?  If so, how has he spoken?  Does God still speak today?  Is there a difference between "thus sayeth the LORD" and "God told me..."?  These are a few of the questions we try to answer in today's episode.  

What are some healthy marks and distinctive features we should look for it we're looking for a new church? Is expository preaching a must? Where should I go to find a church? What should you look for on a church website? What is my responsibility in visiting a church? What are some good reasons to leave a church that you're currently in? What are some bad reasons to leave the church that you're currently in?    https://www.9marks.org/church-search/

Here's a good Halloween question:  Can Christians learn anything from zombies?  

Is there a specific Bible translation that everyone should use? Is there one English translation that God has providentially ordained and that we must use? Why are there people who think that there is one specific translation that people should use? What's the difference between an autograph and a manuscript? What translations does the pact podcast recommend?

What should we wear to church? What is the normal attire to where to church in Kentucky and/or rural America? Should we even be concerned about what we wear to church? Does “Sunday Best” still mean anything? What should our guideline be about how to dress for church? 

Is cremation sinful? What is the best option for a believer? What happens at the resurrection to the person who was cremated and their ashes scattered? How should we view that? What does the process of burial of cremation proclaim to the world about our beliefs? Is burial or cremation a better picture of the gospel? Why do churches have graveyards? Why are we buried facing east? Why did Spurgeon prefer to preach funerals over weddings?

What is the doctrine of mortification? Why is phrase be killing sin instead of something “lighter?” What does it mean that sin could be killing us as a christian if we're not killing it? What does it look like to be killing sin? What are the tools to do that? What happens if we pray for God to take away our sin and he doesn't? The Mortification of Sin - John Owens: https://a.co/d/6zolQi4

Is suicide a sin? Why is it a sin if it is? Is suicide selfish? Is there any legitimate justification for someone taking their own life? Can suffering serve a purpose? Is it possible for a Christian to commit suicide? How do we show the love of Christ to those who might be struggling with depression and/or suicide? Can taking medication be a good idea? How does the gospel speak to suicide?

Is there is a significance in the different names of hell, hades, Sheol, etc. Is hell eternal? Do people in hell have a repentant heart? Are there different levels of punishment in hell? what is hell like? How bad is hell? Will people in hell remember life on earth? Can Adam pronounce annihilationism correctly?

Will we know each other in heaven? Are you married in heaven? Will there be food in heaven? Is there a difference between heaven now and heaven in the future? Is the whole earth going to burn and cease to exist or is just going to be burned in a purifying fire as we continue to walk this earth? Are heaven and earth different at the end of the world? What will be doing with our time in heaven? Does worship in heaven mean a never ending Sunday morning worship service? Will we remember our sin in heaven?   Pact Pick: What Happens When We Die by Chris Morphew - https://a.co/d/8yL72en

What does my education have to do with my faith? How is it that we become educated? What is the right way to think about education? Is it useless to study calculus if you never use it? Is the devil in the details or is it God that is in the details? How do we love The Lord with our minds? What does Pastor Tim have a minor in? How do we utilize our mind to love God? When does our education end? The end for which God created the world: https://a.co/d/4m1qbnO Think: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1433520710/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1691691678&sr=8-1

What is the unforgivable sin and where is it found in scripture? (Spoiler: if you have repentance and turn to faith in Christ you have not committed the unforgivable sin) What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? What prompted Jesus to say this in the context that he did? Should I be worried that I've committed the unforgivable sin and is there any comfort if I am worried about it?

What is the problem of evil? Why is this evil happening to me? Can God really be good if he had the power and knowledge to stop evil and chooses not to? What are some ways people have solved this problem? What is the greater glory argument? How will the evil the we experience in our lives be used?

How does the sovereignty of God and the free will of man play into salvation? Where does the debate come from to begin with? What scriptures are used to support the Calvinist and Arminian perspectives on this issue? Is there an error in taking either perspective too far? Can someone be elect and not ever know it or bear fruit? Does this topic have to be a divisive issue? How much of our viewpoint is based on scripture itself or philosophical reasoning?

What do we mean by divine sovereignty? How much choice do people have over their own lives? What is man's responsibility? Are we robots? What do people mean when they say “free will” and is that term in the Bible? Where do we see examples in scripture of man's responsibility and choices in God's story? How does Gods sovereignty free us to make decisions between two options?

What is the purpose of a sabbatical and what do people do on them? Is it different from vacation time? Why might a sabbatical be needed? How often do pastors consider quitting? How can you be praying for your pastors?

What is AI? What is some of the good and some of the bad that can come from AI? Is AI even really what it claims to be when it comes to “intelligence”? How should we view our own intelligence vs artificial intelligence in light or being an image bearer of God?

Why is it important to think about tools and strategies that we can use to disciple our children? What are some things that are helpful for being able to talk to your kids about the gospel? Is it the responsibility of the parents or the church to disciple children? What is the proper “balance” in the relationship between the parent's and the church's responsibility in discipleship of children? What should parents do if they have an older kid that wants nothing to do with being intentionally discipled?

What does the Bible say about discipline in general and how that relates to parenting? What is God's goal in disciplining us and how should that change how we discipline out children? What does age appropriate discipline look like? Should discipline be something that the mother or the father should primarily be leading or taking care of? How should we think about success and failure when it comes to discipline? What questions should we ask ourselves before disciplining our children?

How should we approach technology as Christian parents? What are some of the positives and some of the negatives? How does technology impact the creativity that God had given us and our children? What are some potential concerns that parents should have in regards to their children and technology? Do parents always need to practice what they're preaching to their kids in regards to technology? What are some practical boundaries that parents can set in regards to technology? How do we be proactive instead of just reactive? Should we explain the “why” when we do have to say no?

What are the things that scripture teaches us that we need to know before coming to faith? How can we explain what “faith” means? What kind of strategies and tools can we use to begin conversations in the home? What questions should you be asking your child? How should we approach conversations differently with a kid than we do with an adult? 

How are individual moments important to change? How does seasonal change impact our lives as Christians?

What are denominations? Why are there so many different denominations? What issues are really at the heart of one denomination being different from another? Which denomination is right? In what ways can we cooperate with people of other denominations that we differ with? How do we help a non-believer understand why there are so many denominations? Are denominations a good thing or a bad thing? How can we find the right denomination?

Where is our presence the most important? Are there places that our presence is not important? What is the difference in western vs eastern ways of thinking about presence? What is the difference between physically being somewhere and really being there? What does the bible have to say about how we pay attention? If we aren't fully engaged is it better to be or to no be somewhere? How big of an indicator of priority is our presence?

Was competition a part of God's original design? If it was then what is different about it post-fall? What does it look like to be a good loser or a good winner? If competition is indeed a result of the fall should Christians avoid competition completely? As Christians, why do we compete? Can competition be redeemed?

Why do we care so much about winning? Why does competition exist in the human experience? Is competition itself a good thing or a bad thing? Why does losing exist? What is life about? Does God care who won/wins the Super Bowl? 

Why is learning considered a spiritual discipline? What is the difference between intentional and unintentional learning? How do we learn? What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? What areas should we work on learning an growing in the knowledge of God? Are there specific things that we're supposed to learn about as believers that bring God glory?

What do we mean when we talk about the spiritual discipline of journaling? Why should we journal How can we get started with journaling? What should we write about? How often should we journal? 

What is the spiritual discipline of silence What do we mean when we say the discipline of solitude? Why are we trying to be silent and alone? What are some of the challenges of silence and solitude Why is it so difficult for us to be silent?

What is fasting? How are we to approach fasting? What is the goal of fasting? Am I breaking Matthew 6 if I tell other people that I'm fasting? Does fasting from other things besides food count as fasting? How are supposed to fast?

What is stewardship and how does it apply to our life as believers What are we stewarding? Is time something we should think about stewarding in addition to money Why do we need to think about stewardship as a spiritual discipline? What is the purpose of stewardship? How can we get better at stewardship? And is there any cookie-cutter advice for us to give to someone looking to get better? Does stewardship just mean giving a tenth of your money to the church? Should we automate our giving?

What are we talking about when we me say service and what kind of service do we mean? In what ways should our service looks like Jesus's service? Would should the intention behind our service be? What are some of the things that we should consider when it comes to serving others?What are some things that motivate us to continue in service when it gets hard? Is there a time for a particular service of ours to come to an end and how do we know if it's time? How do we create a bridge from our service to a gospel conversation? I want to serve - what do I do? 

What is evangelism? What is the gospel? Why is it hard to evangelize? What are some strategies for evangelism? Is “preach the gospel and if necessary use words” a good position to hold? (Spoiler alert: it's not). What happens if we make a mistake when sharing the gospel? Who should we share the gospel with in our life? How do we “bridge” a normal conversation into a gospel conversation? How do prayer and evangelism go together? Is it necessary that a believer share their faith or can we opt in/out or leave it to the super spiritual believers?

We are made for worship but how do we do that? What is worship? Is worship just in the heart or does it involve actions? Can you worship even if your heart isn't engaged? Is an outward expression necessary for it to be worship? Should we outwardly express worship even if we're not feeling like it inwardly? How do we worship? How should we approach corporate and private worship? Can we worship God in everyday life? How can we live all of our life to the glory of God? How do we worship in spirit and in truth as Christ commands?

What is prayer? How does it relate to the other spiritual disciplines? What is the purpose of prayer? What are the different kinds of prayer and how do we begin them? What is the goal of prayer? How do we align ourselves with the will of God and scripture when we pray and what should we actually pray about? How can we pray more like Paul did for the gospel to go forward, the saints spiritual eyes to be opened more to the glory of God, and for unity with one another. How do we know what to say and how can we avoid saying the same things every time? What does it look like to pray through the scriptures? How can we come to God in spite of our guilt and shame we might feel?

Join us for part two of our discussion on spiritual disciplines. What does scripture intake look like and how should we do that? Why is scripture intake considered a discipline? How should we approach spending time in the word? Should we approach all parts of scripture the same way? How can we be better at spending time in the word? Is it necessary for us to read the word daily? How should we begin our time in the word? What are some tools to use alongside scripture?

Join us for this two part discussion: What are spiritual disciplines? Why is the word discipline important in this discussion? Are they just extra or nice things for us to do? Why are they hard and how can we make them less hard? What are some of the obstacles we face and how can we overcome them? What is the goal/direction that we are working towards with these disciplines? How can we find joy in this discipline?

After considering Baptism in our episode a few weeks ago, we decided it might be helpful to consider some of the more difficult questions surrounding the ordinance, such as, "Should there be a waiting period after a profession of faith before someone is baptized?"  and  "Who should administer the Baptism?"  

After considering the Lord's Supper in our last episode, we decided it might be helpful to consider some of the more difficult questions surrounding the ordinance, such as, "What does Paul mean by his warning not to partake in an unworthy manner?"  and  "Can the Lord's Supper be taken outside the context of the local church?"  

In the last episode we discussed the importance of Baptism.  We thought it would also be a good idea to take some time to talk about the Lord's Supper.  First, we ask, "What is it?"  Then, we consider questions such as, "Who should partake?"  and "How often should a church practice the Lord's Supper?" 

Baptism is central to the Christian faith, but there are many traditions with many different points of view on how to understand it.   Today we talk about what the Bible says about Baptism and why it is important for every believer in Jesus.  

Maybe the first question should be, how do christians relate to the ten commandments? Jesus said he came to fulfill and not abolish the law, so what does that really mean? Today we're taking a deep dive into the different perspectives and the mindset we should all have as we observe sabbath rest. 

Why do we write new songs? There are so many songs out there, so why bother with writing new ones? And then, why do we choose some songs and not others to sing in worship? Why isn't the most popular KLove song sung every week by the congregation? We explore all of these questions, discussing both the musical and pastoral elements that go into each.     

Today we're discussing the different approaches we three take in our sermon preparations. We talk through things to avoid and the areas we're looking to grow. We hope anyone who is working to craft lesson plans or getting ready to preach a sermon will find encouragement in our discussion today.