Centered on Christ Podcast

Last week, we began a new series entitled, “Will You Follow the Good Shepherd in 2026?” In Part One, we asked and answered, “ Who Is the Good Shepherd ” (John 10)? We noted that Jesus, the Son of God, is the Good Shepherd Who provides for His sheep. This week, we want to ask and answer the question, “Who belongs to the Good Shepherd?” Those Who Are Known by the Shepherd There are many in the relig...

When a new Roman governor is hesitant to issue a ruling in Paul’s case, he decides to appeal his case to the highest judge in the Roman legal system - Caesar himself. Acts 25-26 describes this process, and how the new Roman governor tries to understand Paul’s case better so he knows what to report to Caesar. For the apostle Paul, this was another opportunity to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ. Get...

The word “imitate” means to copy. Thus, when an individual is imitating the actions of another, he or she is copying or mimicking those actions. This, of course, is one of the ways that we learn. Parents are especially aware that children learn as much, if not more, by watching what they do rather than listening to what they say. No wonder Paul encouraged the Ephesians to “be imitators of God as d...

Happy New Year! It is such a blessing to be able to write these articles, and I truly appreciate all of you who read them! I hope and pray that these articles glorify God, stay true to His Word, and help all who read to draw closer to God. As we turn our calendars to 2026, it is important to note that though we are moving forward to a new year, the same Lord is ruling in Heaven! The question we wa...

After Paul’s case is transferred out of the Jewish system and into the Roman legal system, Paul's accusers try to get his case transferred back under their authority. However, the Roman governor Felix is a corrupt, incompetent ruler who indefinitely delays a decision in Paul’s case. We discover the reason in this chapter, and we see how God continues to work. Get full access to Centered on Christ...

When the Roman commander brings Paul to the Jewish council to learn the charges against Paul, Paul quickly discovers he isn’t going to receive a fair hearing. The events of Acts 23 describe how Paul’s “case” ends up being moved from the Jewish legal system into the Roman legal system. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

But First… I’ve started another Substack called The Preacher’s Shelf Book Club , where I share with you what I’m reading, where we can discuss our favorite books, and other book-related things. If you like reading and talking about books, I’d be glad to have you follow what I write over there! Now back to your regularly scheduled programming… Premillennialism is a doctrine that teaches Christ will...

This article is the last of 2025. It is bittersweet to come to the end of another year, but God has truly blessed my family and me through it all. It is an honor to write these articles, and I appreciate so much all of you who read them. We close out this year and this series of articles by answering the question, “How can I be imperfect yet holy?” Thus far, we have noticed that we can and must be...

After the mob nearly beat Paul to death outside the temple in Jerusalem, he was permitted by the Roman commander to speak to that same crowd. Paul approached them by relating to them, showing he understood how they were thinking, and providing evidence for why he had changed. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

The New Year usually brings with it a sense of excitement. We look at the blank pages on its calendar with hope. There is opportunity to change what needs changing, to correct mistakes, to start over. We resolve to lose weight, exercise more, become more spiritual, work harder, be a better husband, wife, neighbor, etc. But why do we only consider doing these things as the New Year begins? Could it...

Last week, we began this final series of 2025 by asking and answering the question, “How can I be imperfect, yet holy?” We did so by looking at one aspect of living holy lives which is spending adequate and meaningful time in God’s Word . This week, we want to examine the second step in living a holy life, which is spending adequate and meaningful time in prayer. Encouragement to Pray Prayer to Go...

Paul is warned he whole way back to Jerusalem that trouble awaits him there. Many Christians begged Paul not to return to Jerusalem. But he would not be swayed - he was willing to suffer and die for Jesus Christ. What an example for us today! Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

This article begins our final series of 2025 and will effectively take us to the end of the year. The Bible stresses the importance of living holy lives before God. In fact, without holiness, no man will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Only the pure in heart will see Him (Matt. 5:8). Christians are commanded to live holy lives: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope ful...

Acts 20 begins with Paul leaving Ephesus after the riot that takes place there. It ends with Paul saying an emotional goodbye to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Paul is headed to Jerusalem, and while he doesn’t exactly know what’s awaiting him there, he knows it’s full of trouble. But Paul faithfully serves the Lord Jesus, no matter what the future brings. Get full access to Centered on Chris...

The book of Esther reads like a modern-day thriller. From its depiction of the harshness of the Persian king, to its characterization of his high-minded adviser, Haman, the text conveys the perilous situation faced by the Jews after Haman proposed their annihilation (Esther 3:10-15). By emphasizing the cruel and domineering nature of King Ahasuerus in his previous dealings with Queen Vashti, and b...

This article concludes our series on “Cherry Picking Christianity.” Thus far in our study, we have examined several passages in their correct context to arrive at the truth ( Rom. 10:9-10 ; Acts 16:31 ; John 3:16 ). In our finale, we want to carefully examine a passage that has unfortunately been misused and abused by many in the religious world. It has been “cherry-picked” to promise the false do...

Paul remains in Ephesus for a long time compared to other cities he visited. The preaching of the gospel is met with resistance, but the authority of Christ and His “good news” is victorious against all opposition. This is a chapter that reminds us of the power of the gospel of Christ and how it ultimately must either be obeyed or resisted. Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist...

What are your senses telling you about your body? Are your joints reminding you how old you are? Does your heart remind you that things aren’t ticking along as smoothly as they once did? Is that disease slowly draining away your energy and strength? But what is faith saying over the not-so-quiet voice of our senses? Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

While many people are responding positively to the preaching of the gospel of Christ, by hearing, believing, and being baptized, there are still those who oppose Paul’s preaching. All the opposition affected Paul, and he needed the Lord’s encouragement. We also read about those who still don’t know the “full story” of Christ, and Christians are involved in explaining God’s way more accurately. Get...

The Bible contains sixty-six books. Thirty-nine books are in the Old Testament; twenty-seven books are in the New Testament. These were written over a span of some 1,600 years. Approximately forty individuals wrote either entire books or portions of Scripture. Some of these people were highly educated. For example, Moses was raised by the daughter of the Egyptian Pharaoh and no doubt received the...

This article continues our study of examining the danger of “cherry picking” passages of Scripture to fit a certain belief system. Thus far, we have examined Romans 10:9-10 and Acts 16:31 in their respective contexts to arrive at the truth. This week, we want to study one of the most, if not the most, well-known verses in the entire Bible: John 3:16. Nicodemus Approaches Jesus A Jewish man, who ha...

Acts 17 shows the same gospel being preached in three different cities with three very different responses. Some strongly opposed it, while others readily accepted it, and others mocked and brushed off the message. We still see these same sorts of responses to the preaching of the gospel today. How will we respond? Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe

In Matthew 22, the Sadducees approached Jesus and attempted to “outsmart” Him. The Sadducees were a powerful political and religious group among the Jews, but they claimed there was no resurrection (Matthew 22:23). This was their challenge to the Lord: “ Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there we...

We are in the midst of a series in which we are discussing verses from the Bible that have been “cherry-picked” to fit one’s belief. We have pointed out in this study the importance of looking at God’s Word as a whole and understanding passages in their context to arrive at truth, as well as the danger of failing to do so. In this article, we want to examine a passage that has certainly been “cher...

In Acts 16, we see how even bad things can work out for the spread of the gospel of Christ. God’s people must continue to trust Him, even when we have to endure difficulties. Sometimes, it’s during the darkest moments when we have the opportunity to shine our lights for the glory of God (Matthew 5:13-16). Get full access to Centered on Christ at centeredonchrist.substack.com/subscribe