Exhorter Podcast

Send us Fan Mail A casual game night conversation led us down an unexpected theological rabbit hole, wrestling with one of faith's most profound questions: Why would a loving God create us, knowing we would sin? This question touches the very core of how we understand God's character and our purpose in His divine plan. Whether you're wrestling with tough questions or seeking deeper...

Send us Fan Mail How do you choose a church when every congregation claims to follow Christ yet teaches different things? Joshua Creel from the University Church of Christ in Tampa joins us to tackle this crucial question through the lens of Galatians. The conversation revolves around three essential criteria for selecting a church: determining whether they genuinely seek to please Christ rather t...

Send us Fan Mail When someone mocks Christianity—but not your specific beliefs—should you be offended? In this listener-submitted episode, we explore the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony’s depiction of The Last Supper, the line between irreverence and blasphemy, and examples from music, movies, and everyday speech. We also discuss when and why Christians should take offense, how to respond with grace...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we analyze a viral video questioning Jesus's name and explore the question of how we got “Jesus” from His Hebrew name “Yeshuah”. Is it wrong to call our Lord and Savior, Jesus? We'll dive into the significance of the names we call Jesus and God. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Find us on Facebook or Instagram Thank...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how you can juggle a bustling career, family responsibilities, and personal time without feeling overwhelmed? This episode explores the Pareto Principle, emphasizing that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. We discuss goal-setting strategies based on this principle, the importance of prioritizing meaningful relationships, and practical tips for managing...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever caught yourself smirking when someone who sped past you on the highway gets pulled over? We've all felt that intriguing twinge of satisfaction at another's misfortune, and in this episode of the Exhorter podcast, we explore the curious emotion of schadenfreude. Through personal anecdotes and pop culture nods like Homer Simpson's envy-fueled glee, we ex...

Send us Fan Mail Is sarcasm a clever tool or a dangerous trap? In this episode, we explore how sarcasm shows up in the Bible, from Elijah’s sharp mockery of Baal’s prophets to Job’s biting responses to his friends. While sarcasm can highlight absurdity and deliver truth with wit, it can also harm relationships when used carelessly. We’ll share biblical examples, personal stories, and insights into...

Send us Fan Mail It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the presence of the other. This is what the concept of “iron sharpening iron”, from Proverbs 27, alludes to. Left isolated, both blades would be dull and quite useless. In this episode, we highlight 3 things we can learn from Proverbs 27:17, mutual accountability, encouragement and support, and the value of challenging...

Send us Fan Mail Can a church be doctrinally sound yet feel sterile and unwelcoming? Join us as we discuss how some congregations, despite their sound doctrine, might lack the warmth and familial excitement essential for a thriving church. Our conversation takes a deeper look at the church in Ephesus, whose commendable doctrinal soundness was shadowed by their loss of initial love and zeal.  (Lost...

Send us Fan Mail How do you navigate the complexities of church membership and unity within your congregation? Join us for a discussion recorded at the serene Dinky Lakes, California, as we reflect on the lessons from the churches in Thyatira and Sardis from the book of Revelation. We'll explore Jesus's advice to the faithful remnant in Thyatira to hold fast to true teachings amidst fals...

Send us Fan Mail Are we supposed to be fasting? Matthew 6:17 says “But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face...”. Does this verse allude to a practice we are neglecting in our lives? What do we know about fasting? In this episode, we dive into this listener's request to learn more about biblical fasting. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Find...

Send us Fan Mail What does "membership" mean, and is it necessary to join a local church? Some argue that the Bible doesn't explicitly require membership. Join us as we explore the significance of local church membership and what the Bible says about it. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Find us on Facebook or Instagram Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail It’s summer and most of us will be finding ways to take a break from school and work, through long planned vacations or smaller trips throughout the summer. In this episode we conclude season 2 of the Exhorter Podcast by providing a few suggestions for how we can spend this summer not just becoming further away from hour homes, but drawing closer to our Lord and out creator. Conta...

Send us Fan Mail Is doubting your faith and God wrong? Are we expected to have an unwavering belief as Christians? Join us as we search the scriptures for examples of doubters and see how God responded to them. We also talk about the right and wrong ways to test the scriptures and our faith. Learn about the core problem of the deconstruction movement and how it can quickly lead to deconversion in...

Send us Fan Mail What bible translation do you read from? How accurate is it? What is the difference between each translation? Whether you read from KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, NIV, or NLT, in this episode, we briefly examine the broad categories of translations, speak about their accuracy, and discuss the overall value of side-by-side comparison during bible study. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us...

Send us Fan Mail Are you one of the 20-25% of Americans that have a tattoo? Are you thinking about getting a tattoo? There are many differentviews about tattoos within the church - some earnestly opposed andothers see no issue. Join us as we have our own lengthy debate on this topic and let’s see what the bible says, and doesn’t say, about getting that ink. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at...

Send us Fan Mail  Historically we’ve made a strong effort to draw doctrinal distinctions between the Church and denominational churches. But when determining if an activity is right for us or our local church, we sometimes may ask ourselves “Would that make us look like them?”. Let’s unpack this comparison idea a little more and dive into the practice of finding scriptural authority for what we do...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling with feelings of guilt over your sins, past mistakes, or lingering regrets? Why do we hold on to guilt and regret of sin and why does it manifest in physical pain sometimes? Maybe like us, you are contemplating the concept of self-forgiveness and questioning its validity in comparison to relying on divine forgiveness. Come join us as we explore the alignment of self-for...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever caught yourself substituting a potentially offensive word with a seemingly innocent one?  Well, that's a euphemism. What is the real impact of euphemisms? Are they wrong to use? Join us for a brief chat about our words of choice, euphemisms, blasphemous slang, and crude language. Contact the Exhorter Podcast Email us at media@clovischurchofchrist.org Find us on...

Send us Fan Mail What is wrong with gambling? Is gambling a sin? Are innocuous friendly wagers and raffles wrong? What about investing? Join us as we unpack these questions and dive into gambling's relationship with our walk as Christians. Whether you're firmly rooted in your views on gambling or still pondering where the line in the sand should be drawn, this discussion is for anyone se...

Send us Fan Mail Grief is a journey we all navigate differently, and in this episode, Kyle and Jon talk candidly about lamenting to God in the mourning process. We will guide you through the biblical accounts of expressing our anguish to the Almighty—taking cues from David and Jeremiah—and reveal how their example may lead us to hope and healing.  Finally, we honor the legacies of those we've...

Send us Fan Mail As the new year approaches many have healthy resolutions on the brain. Well so did Kyle, and he asks "How important should the pursuit of fitness be in the life of a Christian?". Being physically fit is a good thing right? Then what could be bad about it? On the other hand, aren't we supposed to be disciplined and good stewards of the lives that God gives us? Join u...

Send us Fan Mail Do you like to listen to Christian Rock, Gospel, or any other genre of instrumental music outside of worship that mentions God and is centered around Christianity? How about religious Christmas music? Or, does it all bother your conscience to do so? In this episode, we talk about what our perspective should be, as Christians, on instrumental Christian music outside of our assembly...

Send us Fan Mail Join us and Tommy Peeler as we talk about when sin first entered the world in Genesis 3. We'll discuss how tempting it is to get close to sin and why that's not a good idea. Let's chat about setting clear boundaries, avoiding messing with sin, and understanding how we deal with it. We'll also look at Matthew chapters 5 and 6 and use the idea of "glorifying...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why we have quirky rituals for sports games or high-stakes competitions? Are you guilty of patting your car dashboard before a road trip or avoiding ladders at all costs? We unravel these peculiarities, linking them to biblical teachings and how God views superstitions. Sharing a few laugh-worthy anecdotes we explore how superstitions affect our understanding of God&ap...