Focused on Christ

MailBag: Trinity, the Law, Demonic Warfare, and Divine Impassibility | Focused on Christ Ep. 143 Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church! Join your host, Mike Crump, and Nathan Smith for a special Q&A episode—we're opening the mailbag to tackle some deep theological and practical questions. In this episode, we cover: The Trinity...

Jesus and the End Times: Separating Fact from Conspiracy | Focused on Christ Ep. 142 What goes through your mind when someone starts talking about the end times ? For many, the conversation can quickly devolve into conspiracy theories and "newspaper theology". This episode addresses the nervousness and the fascination surrounding the return of Jesus, particularly after a recent viral &qu...

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree | Focused on Christ Ep. 141 In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastors Mike and Nathan unpack one of the most misunderstood moments in Jesus’ ministry — when He cursed the fig tree. Was Jesus simply angry or hangry, or is there a much deeper message hidden in this symbolic act? Join us as we: 🌿 Explore the Old Testament roots of the fig tree as a symbol for Israel. 🏛️...

The Triumphal Entrance: Power, Servanthood, and the Scandal of Grace | Ep 140 - Focused on Christ Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they dive into The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, a significant event traditionally associated with Passion Week. In this episode, they explore the dramatic context and contrast of this moment by first looking at the request of the mother of t...

Ep 139 - Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet | Focused on Christ Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they continue their study on the life of Jesus, focusing specifically on Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive oil in John 12. In this episode, they explore the significance of this powerful act of worship and the deep theological meaning behind it: The Significance of Oil: Discover the conse...

Charlie Kirk and the Church - Finding Gospel Clarity Amidst Tragedy Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they discuss the significant cultural and spiritual impact of Charlie Kirk's assassination. While acknowledging that they are not a political show , they examine the widespread gospel conversations sparked by the tragic event and the millions who viewed his memorial service. The...

In this episode of Focused on Christ , Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive deep into Jesus’ story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31) . Is this account a parable or an actual historical event? What does it reveal about heaven, hell, eternity, and the sufficiency of God’s Word ? We unpack: Why most scholars view this as a parable. The meaning of Abraham’s side and the Jewish understandi...

Jesus and the Prodigal Son | Focused on Christ Podcast (Luke 15 Explained) In this episode of Focused on Christ , Pastor Nathan Smith and host Mike Crump dive into Luke 15, unpacking three of Jesus’ most well-known parables—the lost sheep , the lost coin , and the prodigal son . These parables reveal the heart of God: His relentless pursuit of the lost, the scandal of His grace, and the joy in hea...

Ep. 135 | Condemnation and Love – Can Jesus Rebuke and Still Love? Welcome to Focused on Christ , where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church. In this episode, Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Matthew 11 and unpack two seemingly opposite messages from Jesus: one of condemnation and one of comfort . Can love and rebuke truly come from the same person without c...

Did Jesus really lie to his brothers? In this episode of Focused on Christ Mike and Nathan examine John 7, where Jesus navigates family pressure, public scrutiny, and religious opposition during a major Jewish festival. Discover how Jesus responded when His own brothers didn't believe in Him and challenged Him to prove Himself publicly. Learn why Jesus chose to follow God's perfect timing rather t...

How do you define greatness? Is greatness based upon your influence, wealth, family, or even spiritual status? In this episode, Mike and Nathan look at Jesus' definition of greatness in order to better understand what we should be striving towards. They also take time to assess pastoral ministry in light of Jesus' definition of true greatness and play a clip of  @PaulDavidTripp  posted by...

Welcome back to Focused on Christ , where our passion is to exalt Christ and equip the church. In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to tackle a topic everyone loves…taxes! We dive into Jesus’ teachings on both the temple tax (Matthew 17:24–27) and the Roman tax (Matthew 22:17–22) . Together, we explore: What was the two-drachma temple tax and its purpose? How did Jesus...

Ep. 131: Peter’s Confession – Who Do You Say That I Am? In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into one of the most pivotal moments in the Gospels—Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:13–23. From Jesus’ probing question, “Who do you say that I am?”, to Peter’s bold declaration that He is the Christ, we unpack the depth of this confession, the divine revelation be...

WE'RE BACK AND OUR CAMERA DIDN'T WORK (sorry about that)!Pastors Nathan and Mike are back from summer break with a conversation on news stories from this summer. What is the legacy of Dr. John MacArthur? Who will fill his shoes? What advice would you give to men who desire to be like him and other prominant pastors? Also, we play a viral clip from this summer that includes Senator Cruz and Tucker...

Ep. 129 | What Defiles a Person? | Focused on Christ Podcast🎙️ Hosted by Mike Crump | Featuring Pastor Nathan Smith In this episode of Focused on Christ, we explore one of Jesus’ most powerful confrontations with the Pharisees in Mark 7. While Jesus is healing the sick and performing miracles, the Pharisees focus on one issue—ritual handwashing. But Jesus points to a far deeper truth: defilement c...

Ep. 128: Jesus Sends Sheep Among Wolves | Focused on Christ Podcast In this episode of Focused on Christ , Pastor Nathan Smith joins host Mike Crump to walk through Matthew 10, where Jesus sends out His twelve disciples with power and purpose—but also a clear warning. What does it mean to be "sheep among wolves"? Why would Jesus send His followers into hostile environments? And how shoul...

Welcome to Focused on Christ – where we exalt Jesus and equip the church! In this powerful episode, Pastor Nathan Smith joins host Mike Crump to explore one of the most intense and hope-filled encounters in the Gospels—Jesus' deliverance of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20. 📖 What does this story teach us about the reality of demons and spiritual bondage? 💥 Why did the demons fear Jesu...

Ep. 126: Can Christians Cuss? | Catholicism, Easter Drama, and Strong Language in ScriptureIn this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastor Nathan Smith joins host Mike Crump to tackle a thought-provoking batch of mailbag questions that tie into recent news and cultural trends. We start by reflecting on the death of Pope Francis and explore the key theological differences between Catholic, Protestant,...

Welcome to Focused on Christ , where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church . In Episode 125 , your host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith as we explore one of the most challenging and counter-cultural teachings of Jesus found in Luke 9:23-27 — the call to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him . Before diving into Jesus' powerful call to se...

Welcome back to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Jesus and equipping the church for everyday faithfulness. In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to explore several of Jesus’ parables from Matthew 13 that reveal the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven—its growth, value, and the sobering reality of judgment.💬 Listener Question from SydneyWe begin by...

Welcome to Focused on Christ , where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church! In this milestone 50th episode, Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith for a deeply moving conversation on the most incredible display of love in all of history—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Together, we walk through key moments from Mark 15 and Luke 23, asking essential questions about w...

At Focused on Christ, our passion is to exalt Jesus and equip the church for faithful living. I’m your host, Mike Crump, joined today by Pastor Nathan Smith, as we dive into another mailbag episode, answering YOUR questions! 📩 Mailbag Questions: 🔹 Christian Media & Biblical AccuracyDaniel asks about the rise of Christian media like The Chosen and House of David. Should believers engage with...

Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church! In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to explore one of Jesus’ most well-known parables—the Parable of the Sower. This powerful teaching, recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels, comes with a direct explanation from Jesus Himself. But why did Jesus speak in parables? Was...

What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Is it really unforgivable are we able to do it today? In this episode, Dr. Jeff Scott joins Mike for a conversation on Jesus' words in Mark 3. If you've every wondered whether you should be concerned about blaspheming the Holy Spirit this episode may help provide clarity and comfort. #holyspirit #blasphemous #satan #devil #spirituality #demon...

In Matthew 7 Jesus says that we should "judge not lest we be judged" but what does that mean in the context of the Sermon on the Mount? Is Jesus teaching that we are never to make a judgement call or comment on sinful behavior? In this episode, Mike and Nathan unpack Matthew 7 in order to understand this important teaching of Jesus. Show Notes: https://focusedonchrist.com/ep-119-judge-no...