By the Book | Christ-centered teaching with Dr. Stephen Reynolds

In today's conversation, Pastor Steve walks us through one of the most honest questions in the Christian life. Why do believers still struggle with sin after salvation? We cover the ongoing battle every believer faces, spend real time in Romans 7, and draw a crucial line between struggling with sin and being enslaved to it. Key Topics Covered Why the Christian life is still a war after salvation W...

The End is All About Jesus The Worthiness of Jesus Revelation 5:1-14 The Main Point: Only Jesus is worthy. A Reason to Wonder : Who is worthy to rule over history? (vv1-2; Ezek 2:9-10b; Jn 1:26-27) A Reason to Weep : No one is worthy to rule over history! (vv3-4) A Reason to not Worry : Jesus is worthy to rule over history. (vv5-7) He is worthy because he has conquered the world . (v5; Gen 49:9-10...

The End is All About Jesus The Father of Jesus on the Throne Revelation 4:1-11 The Main Point: We place our hope in the God of glory. John sees the beauty of the God of glory. (vv1-3; Ex 19:19-20; Ezek 1:27b-28) Elders stand before the perfect power of the God of glory. (vv4-6a; Isa 6:5; Rev 15:2) Living creatures serve the eternal holiness of the God of glory. (vv6b-8; Ezek 1:5-6, 10-11; Isa 6:33...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus, Pt. 7: The Lukewarm Church in Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22 Is Jesus welcome in our church? ● A church that welcomes Jesus is passionate about Jesus. (v.14-16) ● A church that welcomes Jesus depends on Jesus. (v.17-19) ● A church that welcomes Jesus welcomes Jesus entirely . (v.20-21) They welcome his Word . (2 Timothy 3:16-17) ○ They welcome his wor...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 6: The Loyal Church in Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13 The Main Point: We must be loyal to Jesus, just as he is loyal to us! The Loving City (v7a) The Lord Jesus (v7b) Jesus is the holy Lord. (Rev 4:8b) Jesus is the true Lord. (1 Jn 5:20; Rev 6:10) Jesus is the sovereign Lord. (Isa 22:22; Isa 9:7) The Loyal Church (vv8-11) They are loyal even th...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 5: The Dead Church in Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 The Main Point: A dead church relies on past reputation, but a living church lives in the reality of faith in Jesus. A City with a Past Reputation (v1a) It was strong . It was overconfident . A Christ with an Eternal Reputation (v1b) He has the Spirit . (Isa 11:2; Jn 14:26; 16:7) He holds the church...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 4: The Growing Church in Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29 The Main Point: A growing church must protect itself from the dangerous influence of idolatry. The True King (v18) Ps 2:1-12; Mt 6:19-21 A growing church follows Christ as their king. The Growing Church (v19) A growing church produces good works. (Ps 92:12) The Idolatrous Influence (vv20-23)...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 3: The Vulnerable Church in Pergamum Revelation 2:12-17 The Main Point: Right doctrine strengthens the Church. Strong churches endure persecution. (v.12-13) Strong churches reject false doctrine. (v.14-15) Strong churches repent of their sins. (v.16) Strong churches receive the prize. (v.17)

Episode Summary Pastor Grant joins the conversation to help us work through one of the most important tensions in the Christian life — the relationship between law and grace. Why do Christians still struggle with sin after salvation? Why does guilt linger even after forgiveness? And what does sanctification actually look like day to day? Key Topics Covered What the law does — and what it was never...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 2: The Persecuted Church in Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 The Main Point: Jesus is our hope to endure persecution. Persecuted Christians find hope in the gospel of Jesus. (v8) Jesus suffered . (Isa 53:3; Lk 9:22; 1 Pet 2:21) Jesus won . (2 Cor 8:9) Persecuted Christians find hope in the sovereignty of Jesus. (v9) Jesus knows their situation . (Mt 24...

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 1: The Hard-Working Church in Ephesus Revelation 2:1-7 The Main Point: A faithful church must work hard to protect both the teaching of Jesus and the love of Jesus. Christ to his Church (v1) Commendation for Hard Work & Hating Evil (vv2-3, 6) Acts 20:28-30; 2 Cor 11:13-14; Prov 6:16-19; Ps 11:5; Amos 5:21 A faithful church works hard to pro...

The Old Testament isn't a confusing collection of ancient laws and violent stories. It's the first half of one unified story — and it's impossible to fully understand Jesus without it. Today Pastor Steve walks us through covenants, sacrifices, and the logic of blood — and shows us how all of it points directly to Christ. Key Topics Covenants A covenant is a binding promise God makes with His peopl...

The Vision of Jesus Revelation 1:9-20 The Main Point: In Revelation, we encounter Jesus so that we will worship Jesus. John heard the voice of Jesus. (vv9-11) Rev 2:9-10; Ezek 2:2; 3:12; Jn 4:24; Ex 19:16 The book of Revelation is God’s word to a suffering people. John saw the appearance of Jesus. (vv12-16) Ex 25:37-38; Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; 10:4-6 The book of Revelation promises God’s glorious prese...

The End is All About Jesus The Revelation of Jesus Revelation 1:1-8 The Main Point: The book of Revelation is all about Jesus. We learn something about the book : The Revelation from Jesus Christ (1:1-2) Revelation is God’s Word . Revelation includes symbolic visions . (Dan 2:28-29, 45b) Revelation includes historical realities . We learn something about the reader : The Revelation of Blessing to...

Most of us were never taught how to read the Bible. We were just told to read it. And when you figure it out on your own, you end up with a faith built on verses taken out of context, personal feelings dressed up as Scripture, and a Bible that somehow always agrees with you. In today's conversation, we break down the difference between devotional reading and proper interpretation — and why learnin...

All About Jesus The Christian Life is All About Jesus Romans 13:1-14 The Main Point: The Christian life is all about Jesus. The Christian life involves Christlike respect . (vv1-7; Rom 1:16) Obey earthly leaders. (vv1-5; Dan 2:21a; Jer 27:5-6; Acts 24:16) Pay earthly obligations. (vv6-7; 1 Tim 2:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13-17, 21-23; Mt 22:21b) The Christian life involves Christlike love . (vv8-10; Mt 5:17; J...

All About Jesus The Church is All About Jesus Ephesians 4:1-16 The Main Point: The Church is all about Jesus The Church is united in the godliness of Jesus. (vv1-3) We have a calling . (Gal 5:22-23) We have an example . (Phil 2:1-8) The Church is united by the gospel of Jesus. (vv4-6) We have the same Savior . (Jn 17:21-22) We have the same salvation . The Church is united through the giftings of...

All About Jesus Easter is All About Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 The Main Point: Easter is all about Jesus The resurrection of Jesus is essential to… The Gospel (vv1-2; 1 Cor 15:14, 17): You must believe Jesus rose again if you want to be saved. The Bible (vv3-4; Lk 24:44-46; Isa 53:12): You must believe Jesus rose again if you say you believe the Bible. History (vv5-7): You must believe Jesus rose...

Rooted What is the Gospel? Most people have an answer — but is it the complete one? In this episode, we walk through what the Gospel actually is, what it isn't, and why every piece of the definition matters. Key Scriptures Romans 1:16 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 Ephesians 2:8–9 Romans 10:9–10 Acts 5:31 What We Cover The three most common counterfeits — and why they fall short The four pillars of a comple...

Crumbling Kingdoms are All About Jesus Matthew 23:37-24:2 The Main Point: Crumbling kingdoms all about Jesus. (Mt 23:25-26) Jesus is the king over every kingdom . (vv37-39) 2 Chr 36:15-16; Jer 35:15; Deut 32:11; Jer 12:7 True security is only found in Jesus. (Ps 33:17; 20:7; Dan 2:20-21; Job 12:23; Hebr 12:28) Jesus is the God over every religion . (vv1-2) Mk 13:1; Mt 26:61 True religion is only f...

All About Jesus The New Creation is All About Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 The Main Point: The new creation is all about Jesus. (Ezekiel 21:1-3, 7; 36:25-27) The new creation brings us a new perspective . (v16) 2 Cor 4:16-8; 1 Cor 1:18, 22-24; Rom 12:2; Mk 8:28 The new creation brings us a new life . (v17) Ps 51:10; Ezek 11:19; Jn 3:3, 16 The new creation brings us a new relationship . (vv18-19, 21...

Rooted "What Is the Bible Actually About?" Episode Summary Pastor Steve and I have a conversation to answer one of the most foundational questions any believer can ask: What is the Bible actually about? The answer is both simple and profound. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible isn’t an instruction manual or a collection of hero stories — it’s one unified story with one thread running through ev...

All About Jesus Church Leadership is All About Jesus Titus 1:1-16 The Main Point: Church leadership is all about Jesus. The Context of Elder Leadership (vv1-4) Why elders? Elders preach the gospel of Jesus according to the mission of Jesus. (1 Cor 2:2; Mt 28:19-20) The Call to Elder Leadership (vv5-9) Establish elders. (v5; Eph 4:11; Acts 20:17, 18; Acts 14:23) Multiple elders in Jerusalem (Acts 1...

All About Jesus SCRIPTURE : 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 MAIN POINT : Biblical wisdom is all about Jesus. ● Biblical wisdom: Divides . (1 Corinthians 1:18) ○ Those who are perishing ○ Those who are being saved ● Worldly wisdom: Fails . (1 Corinthians 1:19-20) ● Biblical wisdom: Saves . (1 Corinthians 1:21-25) ○ We preach what Jesus preached. ○ We think and learn biblically. ○ We need all biblical wisdom....

In this episode of Rooted , Pastor Steve and Joe walk through the historical evidence behind the Bible. They discuss why the New Testament is actually the most well-attested document from the ancient world and how discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the careful transmission of the Old Testament. Rather than avoiding difficult questions, this conversation encourages thoughtful investigati...