Focused on Christ

Welcome to Focused on Christ , a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church. In this episode, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the final chapters of the Book of Romans (Chapters 15 and 16) to explore powerful themes of Christian unity, humility, and the global proclamation of the Gospel. As they wrap up their study before taking a summer break, Mike and Nathan unpack what it truly means...

Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church. In this episode, host Mike Crump sits down with Pastor Nathan Smith to dive deep into Romans 14 and tackle a reality every believer faces: handling disagreements on secondary, non-essential issues within the church. How do we balance our freedom in Christ with our personal convictions without caus...

In Episode 165 of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump sits down with Pastor Nathan Smith to tackle a topic that impacts every believer: our posture toward governing authorities. Diving into Romans 13, they explore what it means to "be subject to the governing authorities" —even when those structures are deeply flawed, corrupt, or staffed by fallen people. Pastor Nathan breaks down the his...

Can we really live out the Gospel in our daily lives and relationships? In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 12. After exploring the profound theological mysteries and sovereignty of God in chapters 1 through 11, the Apostle Paul transitions directly into practical sanctification. Pastor Nathan and Mike unpack what it truly means to present...

Welcome back to Focused on Christ, where we exalt Christ and equip the church. In this episode, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith open up the mailbag to tackle some of your most challenging and "stumping" theological questions. From the ethics of Abraham’s sacrifice to the mysterious origins of sin in heaven, we dive deep into the scriptures to find clarity on tough topics. Pastor...

Episode 162: Grafted into Israel | Romans 11 Exploration In this episode of Focused on Christ , host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the profound mysteries of Romans 11 . They explore the complex relationship between Israel and the Gentiles, discussing the concept of "judicial hardening" and how God’s plan of redemption spans across history. Judicial Hardening: Understanding...

Ep. 161 – Confess and Believe (Romans 10)In this episode, Mike and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 10, exploring what it truly means to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart — and why those aren't two separate steps but one unified act of saving faith. They unpack Paul's deep affection for his Jewish brothers, the relationship between God's sovereignty and human respon...

Jacob I Loved, Esau I Hated: Understanding the Mystery of Romans 9In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith tackle one of the most debated and challenging chapters in all of Scripture: Romans 9. This passage often sparks fierce debate because it touches on the very character of God, His sovereignty, and the nature of human responsibility. The team explores the &...

From Groaning to Glory: Finding Hope in Romans 8 In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive deep into the second half of Romans 8—often called one of the most precious chapters in all of Scripture. Picking up from their discussion on our identity of "no condemnation," the team explores the dual reality of Christian life: the internal struggle betwe...

No More Condemnation (Romans 8:1–17) In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the opening of Romans 8, a chapter often hailed as one of the most beautiful and life-giving in all of Scripture. After exploring the intense internal struggle with sin described in Romans 7, the duo discusses the glorious pivot Paul makes toward the believer's true iden...

Ep 157 - The War Within: Navigating Romans 7 In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the complex and deeply relatable landscape of Romans 7. They explore the "now, but not yet" reality of the Christian walk, where spiritual freedom meets the ongoing internal struggle against sin. The discussion breaks down Paul’s powerful imagery of being r...

Episode Description: A Biblical View of War In this episode of Focused on Christ , host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith tackle the heavy and often controversial topic of war. Amidst rising global tensions, they step back from political commentary to establish a sturdy biblical framework for understanding conflict, government authority, and the Christian’s response to a world in turmoil. The Roo...

Ep 155: Romans 6 - Can I Keep Sinning Because of Grace? In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the profound truths of Romans 6. After exploring how we are saved by grace through faith rather than our own righteousness, they tackle a question that has persisted for centuries: If God’s grace abounds where sin increases, should we just keep sinning to...

Ep. 154 - While we were still sinners… In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 5, a chapter that Mike credits with revolutionizing his understanding of the Gospel. They explore the profound shift from a legalistic, performance-based faith to a life grounded in the unassailable security of Christ’s work. Key Discussion Points:Peace and Access:...

Ep 153 - What Does it Mean to “Live by Faith”? What is the relationship between faith, the law, and our standing before God? In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 4 to explore the "redemptive arc of history" and how the Old Testament substantiates our New Covenant realities. Using the life of Abraham as a foundational case study, w...

Ep 152: The Trinity & The Human Soul | Focused on Christ In this mailbag episode of Focused on Christ , host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive deep into the "glorious mysteries" of Christian theology. From the internal relationships of the Trinity to the complex makeup of the human soul, we tackle listener questions with biblical depth and practical wisdom. The Trinity & Pr...

In this episode of Focused on Christ , host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the challenging yet deeply encouraging truths of Romans 3 . Often referred to as an "assault on the ego," this chapter provides a sobering look at the depth of human depravity while preparing us for the extraordinary gift of God's grace. The Mirror of Depravity : Why understanding that "no o...

Romans 2: God Knows Your Secrets | Focused on Christ Ep. 150 In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive deep into the first half of Romans chapter 2. Building on the previous discussion regarding God's judicial wrath in chapter 1, they explore Paul’s sobering warning to those who feel they are "outwardly moral" but are actually under the same j...

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike Crump and Dr. Nathan Smith begin a new year-long journey through the Epistles, starting with a deep dive into the Book of Romans. Together, they explore the profound context of Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome and the foundational truths of the Gospel. In This Episode: The Power of Paul’s Writing : Discover why the Apostle Paul’s letters are unique...

This year Pastors Mike and Nathan will walk through some of Paul's letters, including Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians. Don't miss an episode! Subscribe today! focusedonchrist.com

The Crucifixion of Jesus: Why the Cross Matters at Christmas Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they turn their attention from the birth of Jesus to the profound significance of the Cross, even during the Christmas season. Discover why Jesus's entire life, from the Incarnation to the Ascension, must be kept in mind to see the fullness of the gospel. In this powerful episode, we d...

🤖 Ep 147 AI and the Christian | Focused on Christ Podcast Welcome to Focused on Christ , where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church. In this episode, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into a critical, timely discussion: AI and how it relates to the Christian . Is this new technology a good thing, bad, or indifferent? They conclude that it "really depend...

Betrayal and Denial: Judas and Peter | Focused on Christ Ep 146 Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they "rewind" the trial of Jesus to focus on two key figures: Judas and Peter . The discussion explores the similarities and critical differences between these two disciples, both called specifically by Christ. While both were disciples who had their own concepts of the Messia...

Episode 145 - Jesus on Trial: Authority, Fear, and the Pursuit of Truth Welcome to Focused on Christ! In this powerful episode, hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the dramatic and pivotal story of the trial of Jesus. We explore the events leading up to and during Christ's appearances before Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate. The Arrest and Peter's Sword: We begin by examining the...

The Agony and Intimacy of Jesus' Last Hours: Last Supper & Gethsemane (Ep 144) Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith on Focused on Christ as they dive into the profound moments leading up to Jesus' crucifixion during Passion Week. This episode explores the Last Supper (Passover) and the deeply significant Prayer in Gethsemane . We begin by discussing the Passover —the major red...