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Men and women are different, and as believers, we need to embrace that truth. We can affirm it with our words, but when we live as though there is no distinction—treating women as the same as men and men as the same as women—we undermine our confession. Gender confusion is affecting the church just as much as it is the world.
Today's HeadlinesGo Tell it on the Mountain: Moroccans carry Gospel hope to their neighborsNew AI tool helps minister in hard-to-reach placesDiscipleship draws people to God in Lebanon
In this inspiring episode of Life by Design, Dr. Dan Stanley reflects on his passion for helping the local church thrive in health and unity. As he shares updates about his upcoming book, mission plans, and continuing education,Dr. Stanlry explores one of the most pressing challenges churches face today—the “backdoor” issue of members quietly slipping away. He emphasizes that true leadership is rooted in trust, authenticity, and a willingness to lay down one's life for the body of Christ. This conversation invites pastors, leaders, and believers alike to pray, build trust, and seek God's miraculous work in strengthening His Church.
Why did Paul instruct women in 1 Corinthians to cover their heads? Keith dives into this discussion today, explaining how, culturally, uncovered heads were a distraction and why Paul gave instructions for women to cover them. These kinds of conversations push us to dig into Scripture and sharpen our understanding as believers.
DateDecember 21, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we dismantle the myth that joy is a prize to be earned or a mindset to be curated. Digging into the Christmas story—from the animals who bear witness to the cosmic claim of John's sarx—we discover that God has already pitched a tent in the fragile, biological stuff of creation. Joy isn't a reward for overcoming; it's an ever-present sign of God's presence, which holds us through everything and is simply waiting for our attention.ReferencesScripture: John 1:1–5, 14O Magnum MysteriumAbout The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
Uncovering The Way of Jesus 25.0 - The Way of Shalom. Message by Andrew Norman at The Red Door Community Church - Andrew is the Senior Pastor of Local Church in the City of Cockburn WA.
At one point in college she wanted nothing to do with God. Then, a special bible study opened her eyes to God's mission in the world and the need to provide God's Word and local churches to the least and the lost. Now, as a Director of Missions at a local church, she is seeing where and how God is on the move and how much it is impacting the people in her congregation. Local Church Missions, the focus of this week's episode of Missions Today!Tonya's Missions Team Info
"Israel does not have a blank check according to the judgement of God."--Keith Tucci. All people, including Jews, are saved only by the cross of Christ. While we do share a deep theological connection, that does not mean we must agree with or support everything Israel does. Like any nation, Israel has the right to defend its borders and pursue those who seek to destroy it. Even more significantly, that land is the cradle of Christianity—it is where God chose to enter the world in human flesh.
DateDecember 14, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we venture into the dark fields alongside the shepherds, discovering that the first announcement of the Incarnation was entrusted to those on the margins. We explore how the angelic proclamation disrupts our fear, revealing a joy that is not a scarce commodity for the pious, but a generous, cosmic invitation for all humanity. This is a story about a God who breaks through the silence to offer a love that is unapologetically inclusive and meant to be shared.Scripture: Luke 2:8–18About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Jordan Thomas, a familiar voice to longtime Media Gratiae listeners. Jordan contributes to the Behold Your God study series, is the author of Christ Our Treasure: Enjoying the Preeminence of Jesus in the Local Church, and has appeared on the podcast several times. In this episode, Jordan and John explore the mystery of the incarnation of Christ. To guide your reflections this Christmas season, Jordan has chosen 25 Scripture passages for meditation. We pray both the podcast and passages serve as helpful resources for you. The passages Jordan has selected are available as a free Media Gratiae Online course. The link is below. Show Notes: 25 Meditations on the Incarnation: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/pages/advent-meditations Good Tiding of Great Joy by Charles Spurgeon https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/good-tidings-of-great-joy/ Jordan recommends this Christmas Devotional: https://grace-ebooks.com/library/J. C. Philpot/JCP On The Sacred Humanity of The Blessed Redeemer.pdf Christ Our Treasure: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/christ-our-treasure-enjoying-the-preeminence-of-jesus-in-the-local-church-dvd-streaming
The doctrine of the church is not an afterthought. It is central to the revealed will of God. Christ declared in Matthew 16:18, "…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
The expression “famous last words” applies to guest Emily Haynes. “One day you will be dean of women,” an associate dorm supervisor once playfully predicted. Emily adamantly replied, “Absolutely not!” Yet the Lord steadily guided her from teaching piano into the conjectured dean of women position. She and host Dr. Matt Davis review that process. Joining the Student Life Office as a dorm supervisor in 2010, she learned the one surprising rule—every day you must laugh. Emily enjoys her work, which mainly entails counseling and discipleship, though it includes a modicum of discipline too. She explains varied aspects of the dual mentorship role of working with students and dorm supervisors. Naturally, she partners with parents as well, assuring them of attentive student care. Maranatha's supportive environment “ought to be pretty reassuring to parents,” Dr. Davis observes, “once you describe all the different things we have in place to help their students thrive.” Now a 15-year veteran, Emily insists, “The rule still applies; there is laughter every day.”
Do not be arrogant...Cancel culture is when we throw out the baby with the bathwater. We fail to separate the good from the bad—without justifying any of the bad. And the truth is, we wouldn't exist without our Jewish heritage.
DateDecember 7, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we dive into the revolutionary idea that joy is a muscle, not a mood. The daily practice of "Repeating the Sounding Joy" offers us a different path at the crossroads of control and trust, training our hearts for resilience instead of despair. We explore how Mary's defiant Magnificat—a song rehearsed over a lifetime—kickstarts an "upward spiral" of hope that disrupts the "downward spiral" of fear that threatened Joseph. Discover how to build the muscle memory of joy, aligning your present heart with God's joyful endgame for the world.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
In a city full of division, the local church is God's answer. Unity, compassion, courage—London needs a Church that shines in the darkness. Listen now as we explore the Church's role in healing our fractured city.#HealOurCityLondon #LivingTheology #BrendonNaicker #PrayForLondon #ChurchInAction #UnityInChrist #HopeForTheCity
Thom and Jess continue the “Future Church” series with an episode focused on one of the most important—and most misunderstood—topics in today's congregations: evangelism. The way people come to faith is changing, and so are the methods churches use to share the gospel. Attendance patterns are different. Communities are more skeptical of institutions. And more often than not, the first place someone encounters the church is online, not in person. In this conversation, the Rainers look at how evangelism is evolving, why it still matters deeply, and four major trends shaping how local churches reach people today. The post Future Church Series – Episode 3: Trends in Evangelism in the Local Church appeared first on Church Answers.
Dr. Paul Chappell - The Desire to Serve in a Local Church by West Coast Baptist College
あなたが受け取り、生き(成長し)、与える場所だから Because it’s a place to receive, live (grow), and give
*This episode was originally published on 4/8/2019. This week on Preaching and Preachers, Jonathan Leeman joins me in a discussion on God's love and the local church. Jonathan is the The post God’s Love and the Local Church appeared first on Preaching and Preachers Institute.
We need to celebrate our inheritance. If you are born again, no matter what tribe you come from, you are a descendant of Abraham and an heir according to the promise. There is no separate gospel. There is no separate process.
The sermon centers on the transformative power of God's Word as a lamp and light, calling believers to live in holiness, righteousness, and obedience to Christ. It emphasizes that true righteousness is not self-generated but comes through faith in Jesus Christ, producing fruit in the life of a believer through the planting of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit. The message warns against worldliness and compromise, urging discernment in worship, association, and lifestyle, as the believer must choose between being a friend of God or a friend of the world. It culminates in a clear evangelistic call to repentance and faith in Christ, grounded in Scripture, offering assurance of salvation and eternal life to all who sincerely turn to Him, with an invitation to respond in prayer and receive spiritual resources for growth. The tone is both convicting and compassionate, rooted in biblical truth and aimed at personal revival and church renewal.
DateNovember 30, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we kick off our Advent series, Repeat the Sounding Joy: Practicing an Honest Advent, by reclaiming joy as a defiant and contagious act of resistance. Joy is not a denial of despair, but an empowering force that opens our lips and loosens our tongues to sing of a future that refuses to be limited by current reality. We explore how Elizabeth's loud blessing and Zechariah's prophetic song disrupt the silence of Empire, giving us the courage to bless what God is doing and declare the breaking dawn now.ReferencesScripture: Luke 1:39–45; Luke 1:67–80About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
God’s family matters! God’s design for His church is beautiful and vital for each believer. God’s family also has matters to be tended to so the local body of Christ will be a healthy, holy, and thriving church. Join us this Sunday as we gain wisdom in this area through Colossians 3:14-17.
Sign Up For Your Free Trial And Discounted Annual Subscription Here: https://watch.thewonderproject.com/Rusan0:00 - Intro Tease 3:32 - Setting the Stage: Ruslan & Nathan's Backgrounds5:04 - Nathan's Backstory: Church Anger to Fatherhood Perspective8:21 - How Shawn Ryan Podcast Led to This Debate9:23 - Ruslan's Defense of the Local Church's Role in His Life12:00 - Why Pastors Are Easy Targets & Stereotypes Around Them15:14 - Are We Overgeneralizing Pastors? Comparing to 90s Dads17:42 - What Makes a Healthy Church? Ruslan's Framework20:02 - IRS Structures vs. Biblical Church Models22:36 - Are Legal Structures Like Marriage & Churches a Problem?24:04 - Do All Institutions Eventually Corrupt? Reform vs. Abandon25:52 - Nathan's Push for Transparency: The Ed Young Example28:14 - Ruslan Responds: Rhythm Church's Annual Report Breakdown30:34 - Why Churches Are Exempt from Filing 990s33:03 - The Tension Between Accountability & Transparency35:48 - Ruslan Explains Rhythm Church's Financial Oversight38:59 - Why Full Transparency Isn't Always Healthy41:09 - Debating the Average Pastor Salary & Bi-Vocational Realities44:31 - Different Church Models: Transparency by Design vs. Requirement46:08 - Home Churches, Mega Churches, and Real-Life Church Options49:45 - Ruslan: Maturity, Unity & Why Transparency Requires Wisdom52:48 - Legal Structures vs. Moral Imperatives for Transparency58:04 - Churches Investing in War Profits? Nathan's Coming Exposés1:00:04 - Why Churches Don't File 990s:1:06:00 - Weaponizing Financial Transparency & When Disclosure Goes Wrong1:12:00 - Is the Church Corrupt or Is the System Misunderstood?1:14:30 - Comparing Marriage & Church Corporations: A Legal Paradox1:17:00 - What Is “Full” Financial Transparency? 1:20:00 - Can a Church Be Both Spiritual & a Legal Entity?1:23:00 - Why Some Church Salaries Aren't Public Knowledge1:26:00 - The Congregational Church Alternative1:29:00 - Should the Government Oversee Churches to Prevent Abuse?1:32:00 - Biblical Tithing as a Principle vs. Legal Requirement1:34:00 - Does 1 Corinthians 9 Justify Paying Pastors? Ruslan's Scriptural Argument1:39:00 - Modern Pastors as Levitical Priests? Breaking Down a Common Analogy1:42:00 - What Ruslan's Pastor Actually Said vs. Nathan's Interpretation1:49:00 - Ruslan's Journey: From Calling Out Pastors to Supporting Healthy Churches1:52:00 - What the Didache & Early Church Taught About Supporting Leaders1:58:00 - 1 Timothy 5: How Churches Should Support Widows—And Why It Matters2:00:04 - Biblical Qualifications for Financial Support2:08:00 - Jesus vs. Paul: Who Has Final Authority?2:16:00 - IRS Church Criteria vs. Biblical Model2:25:00 - Ekklesia or Corporation? Defining “Church” Today2:34:00 - Tithing, Salaries & the Transparency Spectrum2:45:00 - Are All Institutions Eventually Corrupt?2:55:00 - The $92 Billion Church Fraud Claim Disputed3:05:00 - Is Paul's Writing Equal to Jesus' Words?3:15:00 - Public vs. Internal Accountability in Churches3:25:00 - Stanford Study: Do Churches Grow People Spiritually?3:33:00 - Final Clash: Systems, Reform & Respectful Disagreement
The sermon emphasizes that authentic Christian love must be grounded in divine truth, discernment, and active obedience, rather than mere sentiment or emotionalism. Drawing from Philippians 1:9–11, it teaches that love must abound not only in quantity but in deep knowledge and moral discernment, enabling believers to test all things against Scripture and reject false teachings, ecumenical compromise, and deceptive practices. True love, exemplified by the Apostle John, is not blind or permissive but is marked by sincerity—free from hypocrisy, like wax that melts under the sun's exposure—and is directed toward righteousness, holiness, and the glory of God. The ultimate goal is spiritual maturity, unity in biblical doctrine, and steadfastness in faith until Christ's return, avoiding the pitfalls of being swayed by every new doctrine or worldly influence. This balanced, truth-anchored love produces the fruits of righteousness that reflect Christ's character and honor God in all aspects of life.
In this special episode of YMU, Danny hosts the 7th annual Rooted Book Awards. These Book Awards serve our listeners who might not have the time or budget to read every book out there. It includes categories of books for Youth Ministers, Parents, Bible Teaching, and Teenagers. Happy reading! Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families by Sarah Peoples (Crossway)Don't Despise Our Youth: Renewing Hope for Urban Youth by David Washington (InterVarsity Press)Managing Your Households Well by Chap Bettis (P&R Publishing) Mothering Against Futility Balancing Meaning and Mundanity in the Fear of the Lord By Simona Gorton (Christian Focus)Beyond the Back Row: Rediscovering the Beauty of the Local Church for Your Family by Katie Polski (Christian Focus)Scrolling Ourselves to Death: Reclaiming Life in a Digital Age Edited by Brett McCracken and Ivan Mesa (Crossway) The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics eds. Collin Hansen, Skyler R. Flowers, and Ivan Mesa (Zondervan)From Eden to Egypt: A Guided Tour of Genesis (9Marks) by Alex Duke (Zondervan)Gospel Stories: How The Greatest Story Is Richer, Deeper, and More Wonderful Than We Think by Andrew Wilson (10 Publishing)Understanding Biblical Law: Thinking With And Through Torah by Dru Johnson (Baker Academic) 12 Truths Every Teen Can Trust: Core Beliefs of the Christian That Will Change Your Life by Paul David Tripp (Crossway)Make It Your Ambition by Jeremy Writebol (The Gospel Coalition)Iconic: Being God's Image in Your World by Mike McGarry (New Growth Press)Worth It: Following Jesus When Life Feels Complicated by Chris Morphew (The Good Book Company) Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts
Athletics as ministry offers a great “classroom” with many teachable moments, as you will hear in this episode with guest Phil Price, MBU faculty member and assistant basketball coach. He claims to have had a “front-row seat,” spending all but seven years of his life on a Christian campus. Growing up shadowing his coaching father and later playing in multiple sports, he treasures having been mentored by Godly men. Among various topics, he and host Dr. Matt Davis review his sports involvement, the “relationship of math as a discipline and the concept of truth as a reality,” lessons of grace learned from a bicuspid aortic valve, and transition to the role of “old guy” and mentor to a younger generation.
For God to honor a natural heritage, He would have to diminish the sacrifice of Christ. There are not two plans for two groups of people. There is no distinction in our sinful condition. There is no distinction at the cross of Christ. And there is no distinction in our inheritance. We are one bride, one body, with one salvation and one purpose.
DateNovember 23, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we conclude our In Good Company series by venturing into the often-terrifying landscape of our own minds with guest speaker Cody Deese. Rather than treating anxiety as a spiritual failure or a monster to be exiled, Cody reframes our panic as a flare gun from the "internal universe," signaling a deep need for attention and love. He invites us to stop trying to talk our way out of fear and instead feel our way through it, discovering that the Divine is waiting for us right in the center of the storm.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
Sermon Text: Various Texts Teacher: Al Kenitz Scripture Reading: Revelation 19:6-9 Click here to download the slides referenced in the sermon: Universal Church & Local ChurchDownload
Jess interviews Thom in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Church Answers. They examine the evolution of resources from the company's inception to the present day. The post What in the World Does Church Answers Really Do? Part 2: The Local Church Partner Grows appeared first on Church Answers.
In Episode 6 of Season 6, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor sit down with speaker, comedian, and K-LOVE radio host Lacy Abercrombie to talk about a topic every student leader needs to think through: how Christian-influencer culture shapes your faith. Be equipped to help your students discern truth online, stay rooted in the local church, and use their influence for the glory of God—not personal brand-building. Walk away ready to lead students to engage the digital world with wisdom, guard their hearts from comparison, and lead others toward authentic discipleship that happens face-to-face, not just through screens. Also in This Episode, Learn: How to use social media as a tool for evangelism and encouragement without losing your focus on the gospel The difference between being discipled and simply consuming Christian content Why online influence should supplement, not replace, local church community How to stay rooted in biblical truth when loud voices online sound convincing but lack depth Practical guardrails for pastors, ministry leaders, and students using digital platforms Helpful Resources: GenSend on Instagram and YouTube ★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org ★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform —————————————————————————————————————— Shareable Quotes: “We can replace time with God by consuming content about God. And that's dangerous.” —Lacy Abercrombie “An influencer can't replace your church. We were made to be known and known in community.” —Lacy Abercrombie “Look down at your two feet. Right there is your mission field. Even your digital footprint is ground God can use.” —Shane Pruitt “There's an idolatry of cool in our culture. We've started equating influence with wisdom.” —Paul Worcester “There's a difference between being inspired by someone online and being discipled by someone who knows you.” —Lacey Villasenor “There's so much beauty in being shepherded, known, and held accountable.” —Lacy Abercrombie
Why give to the local church? How do we discern what to give? And what does the Lord do through the financial offerings of His people? All of this is explored in the final installment of our Invested series.
The Church is the bride of Christ and Christ does not have a girlfriend that He will leave the bride for.Israel as a nation is not exempt from God's judgment. There is no separate plan of salvation in which God accepts Jews who do not believe in Christ. God has not rejected Israel, but He shows no partiality. Christ came to build one house, not two. Salvation ultimately comes down to belief or unbelief.
On this episode of The Lead On Podcast, Jeff Iorg, president of the SBC Executive Committee, discusses the crucial discipline of keeping a church focused on its core mission. He shares practical steps for pastors and church leaders to help their leadership teams avoid mission drift, ensuring they fulfill their calling with clarity and impact.
DateNovember 16, 2025SynopsisIn this sermon, we dive into the third week of our series, In Good Company: A Series on Saints, by meeting John Wesley—a restless striver who felt compelled to earn his destiny. Discover how Wesley's relentless pursuit of holiness gave way to an inexplicable moment of surrender that radically transformed his life and launched a movement. The relentless pressure to be "enough" melts away when we realize that God's love for us is not a reward to be earned, but a gift that comes first. This profound assurance is what liberates us to stop fearing failure and start loving the world.About The Local ChurchFor more information about The Local Church, visit our website. Feedback? Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear it. Email Brent at brent@thelocalchurchpbo.org.To invest in what God's doing through The Local Church and help support these podcasting efforts and this movement of God's love, give online here.
Sermon Notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qN3ltw_QjKAHIqggj-wCDzVM76sCE_jW/view?usp=drive_linkSubscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/shepherdshouseazWebsite: shepherdsaz.orgInstagram: @shepherdshouseazFacebook: /shepherdshouseazTiktok: @shepherdshouseazYoutube: /shepherdshouseaz
The teen years often get a bad reputation. Our culture tells us to expect moodiness, distance, constant arguments, and irresponsible kids. But what if it doesn't have to be that way? What if the teen years could actually be some of the sweetest, most rewarding times you share with your children? In this episode, we sit down with our good friend David Elrod as he shares the intentional steps he took to make the teen years a joy, - not a battle - and how you can do the same. Links in this Episode To Train up a Child The Open Church About Abraham's Wallet: Abraham's Wallet exists to inspire and equip Biblical family leaders. Please partner with us in inspiring and equipping multi-gen families at https://abrahamswallet.com/support AW website Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Manage Your Home and Money(00:00:40) - How Do I Create Wealthy Children?(00:07:21) - Adam Smith on Raising Successful Children(00:09:41) - How Do You Shape Your Family's Spiritual Growth?(00:13:48) - The Need for Perfectionism(00:15:22) - To Train Up A Child(00:18:01) - How to Train Up a Child(00:19:40) - Adam Levine on His Son's(00:20:21) - What They Did When Their Kids Were in 5th Grade(00:25:10) - Biblical Study for Boys(00:29:30) - How to Lead Your Sons in the Local Church(00:35:50) - Christian Dad on His Daughter's Pre-College Training(00:41:00) - Gym Dad's Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Kids Advice(00:43:56) - Weekly Rhythms of Input in Parenting(00:46:01) - Be on Your Guard
Being willing to rejoice in suffering for Christ is one of the greatest breakthroughs a believer can experience. We don't suffer as Christians because God afflicts us, but because our obedience to Him brings opposition. We will never face that opposition in a Christlike way if we don't understand that suffering comes with it.