Focused on Christ

What leadership roles do we see in the Bible? How are we supposed to understand the roles of apostles, prophets, and teachers in light of God's full revelation. In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike and Nathan discuss some of the key roles God ordained for guiding his people. Are they all still active today and what part do they play in the local church? #jesus #church #leadership #prophe...

God has established authority for our good, yet there are times that authority can be abused. This is why Jonathan Leeman described authority as God's "good and dangerous gift." In this episode, Mike and Nathan discuss both the benefits and the struggles of authority in the local church. Authority: God’s Good and Dangerous Gift (Leeman) https://www.9marks.org/article/authority-gods-g...

There seems to be an increase in people who confess true biblical faith in Christ alone, yet struggle with assurance of salvation. If I am a new creation, why do I still struggle with sin? How can I know that I am saved? In this episode, Pastors Nathan and Mike discuss what it means to be "in Christ" and why they important biblical reality is a means of confidence, hope and joy.

Stories of heros and superheros are replete with men and women who bring about justice and peace to a broken world. This desire for world change is real and while Superman may help in the comics, God has chosen His church as the means to bring about incredible change in our world - but it looks very different than the movies. In this discussion, Pastors Nathan and Mike talk about the churches role...

One of the purposes of the church is to edify followers of Christ by way of sacrificial love and service. While that may be easy to say, what happens when we're dealing with individuals who drive us crazy or have offended us? #bible #jesus #church #christianity #suffering #relationship #annoying #theology #joy

One of the purposes of the church is to exalt God, but do we truly understand what this means and how we are to accomplish it? What are some of the issues keeping individuals and churches from this task and do we see many churches today succeeding. In this episode, Pastors Mike and Nathan discuss some of the misunderstandings about the church and how we should view the purpose of God's people....

Song of Solomon is a very detailed love poem in the Bible that many adults ignore and kids read through and snicker. What does this beautiful story of courtship and marriage have to do with Christ? Is this book of the Bible just a manual for intimacy or is it something more? In this episode, Pastors Nathan and Mike talk candidly about this often misunderstood book of the Bible. #songofsolomon #sex...

Throughout the Bible we see the church described in multiple ways including the "Bride of Christ" and the "Body of Christ." What do these descriptions mean and do they have any effect on how the church operates? #bible #jesus #church #gospel #christianity #bodyofchrist #bride #marriage #spirituality

1 Peter provides a list describing the church, including "royal priesthood" and "chosen race." What do these descriptions mean and how do they impact our lives and relationships as the body of Christ. #church #bible #jesus #race #unity #bodyofchrist #christianity #gospel #transformation #hope

Recently, Christian twitter was overrun with helpful and not-so-helpful comments from those wanting to share their opinion on topics ranging from coffee in the santuary to Alistair Begg's comments about a transgender wedding. In this episode, Mike and Nathan discuss these topics as well as the importance of a Christ-like presence online. How do we disagree in a world of hot takes? #johnpiper #...

What comes to mind when you hear someone mention the catholic church? The meaning of the catholic church has nothing to do with Rome but rather the universal church that is throughout the globe. Pastors Mike and Nathan look at the difference between the local and universal truth and how a local church can portray it's catholicity. 9 Marks Article: https://www.9marks.org/article/what-is-catholi...

We've all heard that the church is filled with hypocrites, but is this really the case? If it is, does the Bible tell us how we are to deal with hypocrisy? In this episode, Mike and Nathan talk through the warning of Jesus in Matthew 7 and how we can examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith. #bible #jesus #church #christianity #satan #devil #hypocritical #hypocrites #spirituality...

In Exodus 33 & 34, because of Israel's sin, God declares that the people will continue to the promised land but that his presence will not be with him. This leads to great mourning and fear among the people. Why is the presence of God significant? Also, what does it mean to be in the presence of God? Is it an emotional state or feeling of security...or is it something else? #bible #jesus #...

Where does the church fit into the Kingdom of God? We see this kingdom spoken of throughout all of the scripture and Jesus himself said that the Kingdom of God was "at hand." What does this mean and what impact does this have on the function of the local church? #church #bible #jesus #kingdom #kingdomofgod #israel #life #eternallife #heaven #satan #devil #christianity

What makes a church a church? Are there elements of programming or purpose that are integral to the biblical function of a church? In this episode, Pastors Nathan and Mike discuss the key elements of a church and then take time to look at some current church trends. The article mentioned in the episode: https://careynieuwhof.com/future-church-trends/ #church #jesus #bible #gospel #churchonline #tr...

The church is one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated communities in the world. The church is not a man-made system or structure but a family of believers, ordained by Jesus Himself for eternal purposes. This family expresses itself in smaller, local congregations around the world. In this episode, Nathan and Mike begin a conversation about the existence of the church and why it is cruc...

The book of Job features the tension between the #sovereigntyofgod and the #suffering of man, yet the conclusion is not #God giving answers for all the reasons he has allowed such #tragedy but rather a revealing of his #power and #authority. In this episode Pastors Nathan and Mike discuss God's response to Job and why the power and authority matter for us personally and for the church as a who...

Beginning next week, Pastors Nathan Smith and Mike Crump will begin their second season of Focused on Christ with a deep dive into all things church-related. They will be asking questions like “What is the church?”, “How should a church operate?”, “is church for believers or unbelievers?”, “Can women be pastors?”, “What is the role of spiritual gifts in the local church?” and MUCH more. They will...

The book of Revelation is an important book for the followers of Jesus, but it is often misunderstood or hijacked for unhelpful or unbiblical purposes. The purpose of the book is to "reveal" but what is it that is being revealed and why? In this episode, Nathan and Mike look at the introduction of the book of Revelation, including the message to the churches in order to better understand...

It's no surprise that the world is growing increasingly hostile towards Jesus and his people. How then are we to live in a world that hates everything we believe and stand for in life? In this episode, Pastors Nathan and Mike look at the book of 1 Peter in order to understand our posture as sojourners in this fallen world. #bible #jesus #america #life #persecutedchurch #persecution #hope #suff...

Ephesians 1 provides an amazing list of the blessings of Christ. Within a handful of verses are profound statements about our identity and God's sovereignty. How should we understand these verses and what implications do they have over my life? #jesus #bible #sovereigntyofgod #predestined #eternity #eternallife #trinity #identity #joy

There is a lot of disagreement about certain gifts of the Spirit inside the church. What are these gifts for and are they all legitimate for today? Pastors Nathan and Mike discuss the importance of spiritual gifts as well as the clear scriptural boundaries placed on them. #jesus #bible #spirituality #spiritualgifts #speakingintongues #healing #holyspirit #miracle

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul gives helpful instructions for a church desiring to live a life pleasing to God. What does it look like to pursue holiness? What does this pursuit look like in a world that seems focused on sex and anger? #jesus #bible #sexuality #church #holy #purity #gospel #selfcontrol

The book of James has led many Christians to be anxious over their salvation. What does it mean that "faith without works is dead?" How many works? What does a living faith look like? What does a dead faith look like? Is there any way to be sure of my salvation? Pastor Nathan and Mike dive into this important book and help provide clarity about the good news of Jesus Christ. Pastor Natha...

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the greatest act of love and power ever displayed. Inside the conspiracy and gruesomeness of Christ's trial and crucifixion, we find a Holy God working. In this conversation, Pastors Nathan and Mike walk through aspects of the crucifixion in order that our love and affection for Christ would be affected. #jesus #bible #hope #cross #crucifixión #conspiracy #is...