Focused on Christ

Do you know the signs of Jesus' return? What does Israel have to do with the last days and can we know a day for the return of Christ? Pastor Nathan and Mike talk through Jesus' words in Matthew 24 in order to better understand the truth about Jesus' return and how we should approach scriptures about the end times. #returnofjesus #jesus #bible #eschatology #judgment #secondcoming #wrat...

Divorce is a tragic reality for many people in our world, yet our world has continued to normalize and even celebrate the practice. In the church, the topic of divorce continues to cause debate and sometimes division. What does Jesus say about divorce and how should we approach this topic with gentleness while also standing for God's holy standard? Pastors Nathan and Mike dive into the book of...

In John 10 Jesus describes himself as a door and also a shepherd. What does it mean that he is a door and what is his role as shepherd? Also, is there any familiar shepherding imagery that we have come to love that is not implied in the scriptures? #jesus #bible #sheep #shepherd #John10 #thedoors #hope #church #pastor #spiritualabuse

In Mark 7 Jesus makes several comments that can be a bit confusing. Does he really call a woman a dog? Why was everyone upset at his comments about eating and drinking, and why did he tell people not to tell others about his miracles? #miraculous #miracle #jesus #bible #gentiles #hope #teaching #mud

In Matthew 5 Jesus provides a list summarizing the blessed life. This list consists of things like mourning, meekness, suffering, and mercy. How do these things lead to a blessed life? Is this blessing one of prosperity or something else? Alistair Begg teaching on anxiety - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efkVtXWI_LU&ab_channel=DallasTheologicalSeminary #jesus #matthew5 #beatitudes #suffering...

In today's episode, Pastor Nathan and Mike begin the New Testament with a look at the baptism and temptation of Jesus. Why did the perfect, Son of God, desire to be baptized? Why did the Spirit of God lead Him into the desert to be tempted? What is the significance of Jesus' conversation with Satan? #Satan #temptation #baptism #Jesus #Bible #sin #devil

Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament. It provides a final rebuke of the people of Israel who have grown apathetic to God's commands. We also find some familiar passages about tithing, marriage, sacrifices and more. The end of Malachi also points towards a coming day of the Lord and an Elijah-like figure who will lead the way. #prophecy #tithing #prosperity #gospel #marriage #Jesus #B...

The book of Esther provides a historical narrative that weaves into it's pages the sovereign work of God while never mentioning his name. In this episode Pastor Nathan and Mike walk through the narrative while highlighting this truth and consider what it means for us today. #soverienty #hope #Israel #esther #persia #greeks #300

In the book of Daniel, we see a dream and a vision featuring images that seem to describe real, historical kingdoms that ended up coming to power. Are these images truly describing future kingdoms? Does history bear out the accuracy of this vision? Why would God reveal his plan for 1000 years of human kingdoms and what does this have to do with Jesus? #prophecies #prophet #Daniel #kingdoms #God #J...

In this episode, Nathan and Mike discuss Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of dry bones and his closing vision of the future temple. What do these two visions have in common and is the description of the temple symbolic or something else? #prophecy #prophets #Ezekiel #future #temple #Israel #God #Bible #Jesus #hope #prophecies

The book of Ezekiel opens with a mind-bending vision of animal-like creatures, wheels with eyes, and a person standing in the midst of the heavens. What in the world is going on here!? Pastors Nathan and Mike walk through the elements of this vivid image to better understand what God was trying to communicate to the people of Israel and us today. #prophecy #prophets #visions #dreams #Jesus #God #B...

The book of Habakkuk records a conversation between a frustrated prophet and God. Habakkuk sees such injustice all around him and yet God seems to not be doing anything to stop it. When God finally responds Habakkuk is even more taken aback by God's plan to use evil men for his divine purposes. How is this possible? Pastor Nathan and Mike discuss the tensions of waiting on God's judgment w...

When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, the people of Israel were forever changed. How did this historical moment impact the people of Israel, their worship, and their lives? What did life look like in Babylon and who in the world is King Nebuchadnezzar? #israel #temple #destruction #jerusalem #bible #jesus

In the book of Zephaniah, we get a vivid description of the coming wrath of God on both Judah and the world. In this episode, Nathan and Mike discuss the important truth about the wrath of God, His coming judgment, and the mercy of God. #wrath #judgment #anger #God #Jesus #Bible #truth

What made King Josiah one of the better kings of Israel and how was he able to begin serving as king at 8 years old? Nathan and Mike discuss the life of Josiah but helped revitalize the temple and point the nation back to Yahweh. #Israel #Jesus #Yahweh #king #repetance #judgment

Isaiah 53 is one of the most detailed descriptions of the coming Messiah, yet it's words speak of a Messiah who would suffer great pains for the sake of His people. Does this really speak about Jesus? How do Jews today reconcile this passage? Why was it necessary for the Messiah to suffer? #jesus #suffering #cross #messiah #isaiah53 #israel #atonement

The prophet Hosea provides one of the most heartbreaking yet beautiful pictures of the love of God toward wayward sinners. Commanded by God to marry a prostitute, Hosea demonstrates incredible love and grace towards a woman who continued to pursue others. What can we learn from this story and how does it relate to the Gospel? #marriage #adultery #hosea #jesus #bible #love #forgiveness #grace

Amos is one of the minor prophets sent by God to declare a message to the people of Israel and Judah. In this episode, Nathan and Mike discuss who Amos was and why God was giving him a message of warning and judgment. They also talk about the seriousness of knowing the truth of God yet refusing to submit to God by way of obedience. #Amos #OldTestament #prophets #prophecies #judgment #Israel #Bible...

The story of Jonah is well known to many people, but the truths found in the story of this rebellious prophet are profound. Was Jonah prejudiced toward the people of Ninevah? Did he allow his hatred of a nation to keep him from obedience? What does God's command to Jonah tell us about God's heart for the nations? Nathan and Mike also discuss this historical fish story that has great implic...

The prophet Elijah saw the power of God in very real, tangible ways yet also suffered from great fear and anxiety. Why would anyone choose to be in that situation? Was the role of a prophet sought after? What can we learn about God from the life of Elijah? #elijah #prophet #prophecies #jesus #bible #struggle #anxiety #depression

While King Solomon began as a wise, powerful man of God by the end of his life the path was set for the fall of the kingdom. What led to this change in Solomon's actions and what other elements were involved in creating the divided kingdom? #solomon #Israel #dividedkingdom #wisdom #God #Bible #Jesus

In 1 Kings 8 we read about Solomon's dedication of the first temple. In this section of scripture, we read about the presence of God filling the temple and the passionate prayer of Solomon on behalf of the people. Nathan and Mike also discuss a verse that some have claimed to be a contradiction in the Bible. #Israel #temple #solomon #arkofthecovenant #Bible #Jesus #God

The book of Proverbs holds godly wisdom for the practical realities of life. How does this book connect to the rest of scripture and how should we read it today? Are the proverbs given throughout its pages divine promises or more understood as guidelines for life? Pastors Nathan and Mike talk through the importance of this book of the Bible and how we should read it. #proverbs #wisdom #Jesus #Bibl...

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 someting more? In this episode Pastors Nathan and Mike talk candidly about this often misunderstood book of the Bible. #songofsolomon #sex #...

There are a lot of misconceptions about angels today. Are they cute, chubby creatures or something more profound and intimidating? Where did those other images come from and why do they drive Nathan crazy? Also, who is Satan and why does he target King David in 1 Chronicles 21? Today Mike and Nathan answer these questions as they look at the census of David and the involvement of #angels in the li...