Holy Hypocrites

Last week, we asked whether we’ve optimized youth ministry for attendance rather than discipleship. This week, we ask a more important question: How did Jesus actually make disciples? When you look closely at the Gospels, Jesus’ ministry follows a surprisingly simple rhythm: He taught. He loved. Then He sent His disciples to do the same. He didn’t wait until they were “finished.” He involved them...

Since I was in youth, the big question has been… “Why are students leaving the church after graduation?” That’s been the game since I was in youth group. I’m a millennial. We’ve blown through Gen Z and most of my students are now classified Gen Alpha. Everything about their lives is different. But we generally haven’t changed how we reach them. I think those are the wrong starting questions. The b...

Countries must be governed. Order must be established. People must be protected. "For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." (Rom. 13) Politics is not evil - at its core, just a tool for ordering society - but the pursuit of power for its own sake often is.

I’m part of the last generation to remember life  before  social media. My first brush with it was Myspace, late in high school. Facebook launched in 2004, but it didn’t really take off until I was in college.  That means my generation didn’t grow up  with  it — we grew up  into  it. We had to incorporate this new, magical tool just as we were figuring out adulthood, relationships, politics, and w...

Part 3 of the series: Is [it] Evil? Part 1: Is [A.I.] Evil? Part 2: Is [Yoga] Evil? Let me start here: I don’t believe it’s a  sin  to drink alcohol.  But I do believe it’s a risk — one that requires wisdom, discernment, and a heart that genuinely wants to follow Jesus more than anything else.

If you’ve spent any time in the modern wellness world — or just passed by a gym in the past decade — you’ve seen it: yoga mats rolled out, people barefoot, breathing slowly, moving intentionally. And for many Christians, the question bubbles up:  Is this okay?   Is it dangerous?   Is it evil?

Whether you’re fascinated by artificial intelligence or slightly spooked by it, one thing’s undeniable: it’s powerful. Power without wisdom is dangerous. But power with discernment? That’s potential. Jesus said that those who are given much will be held accountable for what they do with it. That principle doesn’t just apply to money or influence — it applies to tools, knowledge, and yes, tech.

What if… Luke 6, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” Not what they have already done; not what we would like to do. But what if we - his people, whose name we claim, by whose sacrifice we identify, by whose death we live - do what Jesus Christ specifically, repeatedly told us to do?

Jim smoked two packs a day for 37 years. He rolled out of bed this morning and decided he was done. He did not immediately step onto the back porch for his morning cigarette. Question: Has Jim quit smoking? Let me argue yes… and no.

I wish “love” was “love,” in whatever form it was felt. But it’s not. Love was designed by God, love was defined by God, love was [and is] demonstrated by God, and finally, love was limited by God for his glory… And that's good news.

As depraved sinners, it doesn't make sense that... - God is perfectly holy. - God loves us. - God wants to spend eternity with us. Jesus is the answer. #holyhypocrites #savedbygrace

If you read the Bible and you are ONLY discouraged, ONLY ashamed, ONLY guilt-ridden, ONLY embarrassed and disgusted... keep reading! Christian - if you have accepted Jesus as your LORD and Savior - your sin nature does not define you. Since Jesus said, "It is finished," your in no longer changes your standing before God. #grace #holyhypocrites

Following the pattern of creation - 1. God creates. 2. God gives a name (identity). 3. God gives a purpose. John is not "The Light." But he comes specifically to point people to Him. #podcast #bookofjohn #holyhypocrites

"Here is the answer to all the riddles..." If the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, here we begin unveiling the New Testament as the Old Testament revealed... #podcast #holyhypocrites #jesus #thebible #bookofjohn

With sin separating them from God, it would have been a cruel tragedy to let Adam and Eve live forever. But there is grace beyond the garden. #podcast #holyhypocrites

Sin does not disqualify you from God's purpose. Sin does not exclude you from his love. Sin does make your work harder. https://nathanpalatsky.substack.com #podcast #holyhypocrites

God put Adam in exactly the right place, with exactly the right supplies and partner and purpose... Only sin could give him fear, discontent and dissatisfaction. #holyhypocrites #biblestory

Opposites put each other in perspective. The "gospel" (literally: "good news") is infinitely good because the bad news is infinitely bad. Bad news: The just reward for sin is death (eternal separation from God). Bad news: All have sinned. But God... #holyhypocrites #gospel

What did God do when his most precious creation betrayed him? He walked in the garden.

The most important question in scripture is Jesus asking his disciples "Who do you say I am?" But a close second is here - the serpent asking Eve, "Did God really say?" Do you know what God really said? Are you confident enough to stand up to temptation and deceit with only the truth you have studied and applied from God's word? #holyhypocrites #bookofgenesis #truth

When God put Adam in the garden, he gave him everything he needed to be fruitful and multiply - including rules, consequences and a helper fit for him. Are you content where, when, doing what and with whom God has placed you? Why or why not? #holyhypocrites #genesis #creation

Once again, the creator does not simply create a thing, but he puts it exactly where He wants it, where he has designed it to thrive. This time it says, "there he put the man whom he had formed." Where has God put you? And will you be content knowing there's nothing random - either about the design of creation or the context in which it is placed? #holyhypocrites #creation

God created the world and the animals by speaking them into existence... But when the time came to make man in his image, he hand-crafted this unique creation, and personally breathed life into him. If that doesn't change the way we look in the mirror, the way we look at every person we come across, we are tragically mistaken. #HolyHypocrites

This clip from the end of Episode 3, one dominant piece of evidence that the Bible we have today is an accurate copy of the Bible as it was originally written. #holyhypocrites

Perhaps no single line in the Bible - certainly no line before Jesus is born - carries more meaning and responsibility than "let us make man in our imagine." Grab your Bible, notebook and pen and study along as we unpack the sixth day of creation... BONUS: Stick around at the end for a sneak peak at the evidence for scripture. #HolyHypocrites