Beggars at the Gate

We continue our series through the Second London Baptist Confession, the 1689, by looking at the authority of Scripture. Why do we believe this is the very word of God? How do we prove that to those around us? Are there other testaments we should submit to? What about the Apocrypha.

We continue our series through the Second London Baptist Confession by looking at the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs of the first chapter, Of The Holy Scriptures. What books make up the Bible and why? Who decided this?

We look at one of the great doctrines of the Reformation, Sola Scriptura, as we continue our series through the 1689 and look at chapter 1, paragraph 1, Of The Holy Scriptures. We talk about natural revelation and special revelation, can we trust our Bibles, and why the Bible is so necessary.

We begin our series through the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (or the 1689) by looking at the introduction. Why was this written and what use does it have in the church? Is it helpful to have a confession of faith like this in a place like Utah? the1689confession.com

Many believers make new plans around the new year to read the Bible more or read the whole Bible in a year. How should we think about personal Bible reading? What are the benefits? Are there any dangers we should look out for? We also discuss some of our plans for the podcast in 2025.

What makes a church plant into a church? There's a theological aspect to this question (and we address that) but also a practical one in terms of maturity. In this episode we look back on the year that was and rejoice in the ways God has worked in us and in our church.

We continue our short Advent series through some of our favorite hymns and their rich gospel theology by looking at Hark the Herald Angels sing. Some of the major themes include God's reconciliation of sinners to himself, what it means that Jesus veiled his divinity (and what it doesn't mean), and the often forgotten fourth verse.

This Advent season Ben and Darren discuss some of their favorite hymns and the depth of gospel truths each one has. This week we look at Joy to the World and discuss why we can be joyful even when life often isn't and what Jesus came to do.

By popular demand! Ben and Darren discuss the most requested topic for the podcast, the fig trees in the gospels. This may seem like an obscure topic to discuss but it is rich with biblical imagery and the glory of the gospel in the New Covenant. Listen in as we explore the vast riches Scripture has to offer in even the smallest details.

In light of the recent election, Ben and Darren discuss how we as Christians should respond and what our hope is. They discuss the nature of the two kingdoms we live in and what our mission should be and why the mission of the church must be protected.

Ben and Darren continue their discussion on discipleship of our families as they look at parents' responsibilities to their children on Sunday and beyond. They discuss the role and responsibility of the church in overall discipleship and how that should shape home life.

What does God command from parents as they seek to raise their children to know the Lord? Ben and Darren discuss what discipleship in the home might look like, from formal devotion time to informal discussions. 

Ben and Darren talk through the (sometimes) hotly debated doctrine of cessationism? What is it? Is it biblical? Where do we see this in Scripture and why is it important? What about our charismatic and continuationist brothers and sisters? 

Ben and Darren discuss the ending to the Lord's Prayer. Should this section be included in Scripture or is it an addition later on? How does the doxology shape our prayers and our life as Christians? What does it look like to live for the glory of God and desire that above all things?

Ben and Darren discuss the sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer where we see our dependence on God to avoid sin and to be delivered from a threat more powerful than we can handle on our own. And in this we see God's loving heart for his children.

Do we have to earn God's forgiveness through our own willingness to forgive? What does it mean to forgive as God forgives us? Ben and Darren discuss these topics and more as they look at the fifth petition.

Ben and Darren discuss the fourth petition, give us this day our daily bread. What does this say about who our God is, who we are, and how we should live our daily lives? Should the Christian be anxious about daily needs?

We discuss the third petition in the Lord's Prayer, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We discuss topics like what is the Lord's will and what we mean when we ask that God do his own will.

We discuss the second petition in the Lord's prayer as we make our way through the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. What is God's kingdom and what is it we're praying when we pray that God's kingdom would come. We discuss our understanding of the Reformed Two Kingdom view (and attempt to define it) and how this guides prayer and life in this world as believers.

Ben and Darren talk through the first petition of the Lord's Prayer as they continue their series through this model prayer Jesus taught us. What does it mean for us to pray that God's name would be hallowed?

We continue our series on prayer by looking at the preface to the Lord's Prayer. Why do we address God as our Father? Is it important that we understand he's in heaven? What does it look like to pray together? 

When we pray, how do we know what we should pray for? Not only should we lift up our heart's desire, we're commanded to do so. We're also called to pray according to God's will, which is revealed in his word. We talk about these as well as whether or not prayer changes God and other topics.

We begin a series on prayer by looking at what prayer is and how the gospel should inform our prayer life. Why is thanksgiving important? Why pray if God is sovereign? These questions and more in today's episode.

In today's episode we talk about what it looks like to be a Christian in the modern workplace. How should Christians be thought of, how do you share the gospel with others when you might only have a few minutes, and how do we respond biblically to gender identity issues? 

When we sit under the preaching of the word, how should we listen to it? What should go through our minds? We discuss this as well as preparation beforehand and discussion afterward.