Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

At some point, we all deal with criticism of some kind. In this episode of Ask Me Anything , Pastor J.D. talks about how to deal with criticism when it comes your way. Show Notes: We’ve talked before about how to lead through criticism, but I’d like to tackle this more generally, because we  all  receive criticism. So, how do you deal with it? Get over your idolatry of others’ ap...

In this episode, Pastor J.D. answers the question, “What do I do if there’s a sin I can’t shake?” and gives some practical ways to fight sin. Show Notes: If we’re honest, we all ask this question at some point because we all have seasons of suffering with sin. Now, let me say: for some people, the sins they can’t shake would fall into the addiction category, in...

In this episode, Pastor J.D. continues through our series on Psalm 23. This week, he answers, “What if God is using your pain to bring you closer to him?” Show Notes: God uses your pain to bring you to him Here’s the question Naaman’s story should make you ask: What if God was trying to send you a message in your pain?   I’m not saying this is true for all the pain we go through, but i...

This week, we continue our series taken from a recent sermon series Pastor J.D. did at The Summit Church on Psalm 23 where he answers: “What does waiting on God actually look like?” Show Notes: When the Duke of Wellington fought Napoleon at Waterloo, the fate of Europe hung in the balance, and everybody knew that. So everyone in England waited anxiously for the news of the battle. Of c...

This week, we dive into a short series taken from a recent sermon series Pastor J.D. did at The Summit Church on Psalm 23. First, Pastor J.D. answers: “What does faith look like in a season of suffering?” Show Notes: “The faith of desperation.” Job expresses this faith in Job 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.” God, I know you’re good. And I can’t understand what you’re d...

This week, Pastor J.D. talks about whether or not Christians should listen to secular music. Show Notes: While I know it’ll frustrate the listeners, I’m going to have to give a “yes and no” answer. First of all, songs like the national anthem are secular songs — there’s really no way to avoid them. But let’s start with reasons why Christians might want to be ver...

This week, Pastor J.D. answers a question about whether or not we should give out our own pronouns when asked. Show Notes: We have actually talked about this topic a couple of years ago from another angle, and this may be a good time to revisit that. The podcast from several years ago got a lot of attention and a lot of people asked questions about it. I think it’s good to bring that back up...

This week, listen into one of Pastor J.D.’s recent sermons where he explained a question based on John 20:23: “Did Jesus give Peter the ability to forgive sins?” Show Notes: John 20:23 sounds startling at first: “ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”   This can be a difficult verse because it almost m...

Recently, Pastor J.D. got to host a special “Live AMA” with college students from Hardin Baptist Church in Hardin, KY. Listen in as Pastor J.D. answers questions submitted by the audience, including, “Should Churches Sacrifice Doctrine to Appeal to More People?” Show Notes: Should Churches Sacrifice Doctrine to Appeal to More People? I don’t see any way other than to...

Recently, Pastor J.D. got to be a part of a special “Live AMA” with college students from Hardin Baptist Church in Hardin, KY. Listen in as Pastor J.D. answers questions submitted by the audience, including, “How much should you dwell on your sin?” Show Notes: How much should you dwell on your sin? From a pastoral perspective, most of us don’t hate sins enough. One of...

Recently, Pastor J.D. got to be a part of a special “Live AMA” with college students from Hardin Baptist Church in Hardin, KY. Listen in as Pastor J.D. answers questions submitted by the audience, including, “How do you have faith in something that you can’t prove exists?” Show Notes: How do you have faith in something you can’t prove exists? The first thing I w...

Have you ever wondered if Christianity is too good to be true? In this episode, Pastor J.D. answers the question, “Is Christianity Just Wishful Thinking?” Show Notes: Well, I don’t think my answer will take anyone by surprise, considering my occupation: no! But let me try to unpack why. Is Christianity all just a fairy tale to make people feel better about the afterlife? I think...

In this episode, we listen back to a recent sermon when Pastor J.D. answered the question, “When Should I  Not  Take Communion?” Show Notes: So, you ask, what exactly does it mean to eat “unworthily”? It can’t mean that we should only take communion when we feel worthy of Christ’s presence. Because that would be ‘never.’ None of us are worthy to take the bread and the cup. That’s why w...

In this episode, Pastor J.D. is answering a listener question from Ashley: If you were baptized as a baby, should you be re-baptized as an adult? Show Notes: I want to answer this question in three ways: theologically, practically, and also try to expand the question for those who aren’t sure they were saved when they were baptized. Biblically speaking, baptism is a ceremony — a celebration...

In this episode, Pastor J.D. is answering a listener question: Can a Christian support abortion? Show Notes: The way I hear the question is, can a Christian consciously support abortion and is this an area where Christians can disagree? My answer to that would be no. What I’m not hearing in this question is, is every person who has ever voted pro-choice or said they were pro-choice automatic...

In this episode, Pastor J.D. is addressing whether or not a church should be disfellowshipped from the SBC if they have a woman serving in the role of pastor. Show Notes: The SBC is convictionally complementarian — I would say unwaveringly so. So, if you are saying your church does not believe in gender roles, or our lead pastoral team is women, then yes, you are clearly not in line with our state...

In this episode, taken from one of Pastor J.D.’s recent sermons, we answer the question: what is love? Show Notes: What is love? According to 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient and kind…. Patience means you expect others not to be perfect. And you’re ok with that. One of the things the Holy Spirit has recently been dealing with me about is how little patience I have for others’ dy...

In this episode, Pastor J.D. answers a question about whether or not we should still have denominations. Show Notes: One of the criticisms of Martin Luther was that there would be as many kinds of churches as there are protestants. But while I would love for the church to be totally united, I think you’ve got to seek truth over seeking unity at times. Did Jesus give authority to the apostles...

In the second of two parts on the topic, Pastor J.D. addresses whether or not a Christian can be a socialist. Show Notes: Two ways socialism fails as a worldview biblically: Human depravity: a ll humans in power grow depraved.  The US has typically understood that it is better to keep power distributed via checks and balances. Government by its nature has incredible power, and when they are put in...

In the first of two parts on the topic, Pastor J.D. addresses whether or not a Christian can be a socialist. Show Notes: This is a great question, and while we don’t usually get into partisan politics on this podcast or in my preaching, this is a little different. If we’re honest, socialism is a worldview that’s also becoming increasingly prevalent in our culture, both explicitly and implicitly. ...

In a special episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. has recorded a message addressing the recently published report from the Sexual Abuse Task Force of the SBC. Show Notes: One of the questions I’ve gotten a lot since the publication of the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force Report on May 22 has been, what does it mean to be a part of a group of churches that has this deep sin...

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, we listen in as Pastor J.D. talks about communion during a recent sermon. Show Notes: Three words arise out of Paul’s theology of communion that you should remember in every communion service Proclamation Participation Examination Proclamation (verse 26) Normally you think of me, standing here, as the proclaimer, and I am. But Paul says...

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers a question from one of our listeners, Linda, about whether or not people of other faiths go to Heaven. Show Notes: For a while, the Hebrew “religion” was the only religion God had given—they were God’s chosen people in the Old Testament. The Apostles taught Jesus as the only way to salvation. Jesus&#...

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. defines what it means to be a multiplying leader. Show Notes: While a good leader can lead an organization for a time, the world is realizing the value of multiplying leadership that outlasts just one leader. This idea has been making the rounds even in the secular world recently, as businesses and other organizations have st...

In this week’s episode of the Ask Me Anything Podcast, Pastor J.D. answers a question from a listener named Caroline who asks what the command to “be fruitful and multiply” means, especially for the single and infertile. Show Notes: Every few years at our church, we try to do a series on dating and relationships. When we do, I am always aware that well over half of the people lis...