Life in the Valley Podcast

Episode 47. Pastor Zach interviews our summer pastoral intern and brother, Miguel Brown on the benefits of following Jesus from a young age.  They discuss: How to navigate Christianity when many of your friends and peers are not Christians Navigating relationships and dating Navigating a Christian walk in the age of social media & technology Using our teen years/early adulthood for the glory o...

Episode 46.  In this episode, Pastor Zach talks about a subject that the Lord has put on his heart lately: humility.  Scripture References: Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 16:18 Mark 10:42-45 Philippians 2:1-11 James 4:6, 10 How can we guard our hearts against pride and grow in humility? Meditate deeply on Christ and the gospel Be involved in serving others in some kind of capacity Learn to do things exce...

Episode 45. We’re back! After a long hiatus, we are restarting the Life in the Valley podcast.  In this episode, Andrea asks Pastor Zach some rapid-fire theology questions, including: Does prayer change God’s mind? Is it wrong to use AI? Do pets go to heaven? Do I have to be baptized to be saved? Can our dreams ever be in the spiritual realm? Are there degrees of sin? And more! Submit your questio...

Episode 44. Merry Christmas!  Pastor Zach & Andrea play "Name that Christmas Tune," we talk about our favorite Christmas carols and the history of the Christmas tree.  Andrea also asks Pastor Zach a question:  Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Was Jesus actually born on December 25?   Pastor Zach's two favorite Christmas carols: Hark the Herald Angels Sing I Heard the Bells on Chri...

Episode 43. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “How is God three in one?” Recommended Resources: The Shield of the Trinity The Trinity Explained for Kids   Host: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of Machias Valley Baptist Church.  www.machiasvalley.org .

Episode 42. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “Is baptism necessary to be saved? If you have asked Christ into your heart and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, is that enough to be saved?” Romans 10:8-10 We are not saved by forms but by faith. Baptism comes from the Greek word “baptizo” means “immersion of water.” Seen repeatedly in the book of Acts Why is baptism important? Ephe...

Episode 41. Kip Vaughn, Pastor Zach's grandfather, joins the show today to discuss the greatest need of the modern church.  What is the greatest need of the church today? What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? What does it look like? How does this happen? Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 2-3 Ephesians 5:18 Ephesians 3:19 Host: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of Machias Valley Baptist C...

Episode 40. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “What is spiritual warfare? How do you battle through it?”   Resources: The Whole Armor of God by Iain Duguid Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem – See chapter “Satan and Demons” Blog articles on the book of Ephesians by Zach Vaughn Grace Driven Effort by Matt Chandler   Hosts:   Zach Vaughn , Senior Pastor, MVBC and  Andrea Lyford , Dire...

Episode 39. In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines with the discipline of rest/Sabbath. What is the biblical basis for rest? How is rest a spiritual discipline? How does the Lord use it to grow us in godliness? What does this practice look like? Recommended Resources: The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley   The...

Episode 38. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “Will Jesus not return until every tribe and tongue has heard the gospel? Is this literal? If so, why do so many think we are in the end times with so many unreached people groups?”   Resources: The Joshua Project The chapter entitled “Missions” in John Piper’s book Desiring God The chapter about the Return of Christ in Wayne Grudem’s Sys...

Episode 37.  We welcome Dr. Greg Beale to talk about eschatology and the local church.  Dr. Beale is a professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Pastor Zach and Dr. Beale discuss: What is eschatology? Why is it important for Christians to understand eschatology? What are the various views within eschatology? What views of eschatology do you think are most damagi...

Episode 36. In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines with the discipline of serving. What is the biblical basis for serving? How is serving a spiritual discipline? How does the Lord use it to grow us in godliness? What does this practice look like? Scripture References:  John 13, Mark 10:43-45, Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 4:10-11   Article: “Make Love Your Aim” by...

Episode 35. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “Do you have any advice on parenting through these challenging times, especially with LGBTQ, gender identity issues, etc.? How do we guide our kids as they start to notice these things?” Resources: The New City Catechism for Kids   The New City Catechism: 52 Questions & Answers for Our Hearts & Minds   https://newcitycatechism.com...

Episode 34. In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines with the discipline of giving.  What is the biblical basis for giving? How is giving a spiritual discipline? How does the Lord use it to grow us in godliness? What does this practice look like? Scripture References: Deuteronomy 15:9-11 Deuteronomy 8 Proverbs 3:9-10 Luke 6:30 1 John 3:16-18 2 Corinthians 9:6-...

Episode 33. This is a sermon follow up from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on June 30, 2024 on Mark 11:11-21, "A Barren Temple and a Withered Tree."  We also talk about book recommendations for summer reading for your family.   Book Recommendations for Summer Reading   For the kids:   The Big Red Tractor and the Little Village by Francis Chan   The Red Rock Mysteries by Jerry Jenkins and Chris Fa...

Episode 32.  This is part 2 of our discussion on Bible translations with guest Micah Perkins.  Micah is an elder at MVBC, and in this episode, we talk about the KJV (King James Version) only controversy.    Recommended Reading: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/how-did-we-get-the-bible-in-english/   http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com https://www.thetextofthegospels.com http...

Episode 31.  We continue our discussion on Bible translations with guest Micah Perkins.  Micah is an elder at MVBC and we dive deeper into the history of how we got our Bible translations.   Recommended Reading: https://answersingenesis.org/bible-questions/how-did-we-get-the-bible-in-english/   http://evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com https://www.thetextofthegospels.com https://youngtextles...

Episode 30.  In this episode, we talk about Bible translations and discuss these questions: Why are there so many Bible translations? How do I choose a Bible translation? Why do you use the ESV? Lifeway Bible Translation Continuum Chart   Pastor Zach’s Bible translation recommendations for everyday use: ESV NASB NLT KJV NKJV NIV CSB Hosts:  Zach Vaughn , Senior Pastor of MVBC and  Andrea Lyford ,...

Episode 29.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines and today we talk about fasting. What is it? What is the purpose of fasting? How do we fast? Why, in the Baptist denomination, do we not fast? Generally, it is not taught or practiced much. Why is that? Can I change God’s mind by fasting? How often should I fast?   Recommended Reading: Spiritual Disciplines...

Episode 28.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of prayer where we answer several questions on prayer: If God is sovereign and His will is supreme, why pray? What difference does it make? Does God change His mind? Can my prayers change His mind? Why do people always say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of their prayers? Why...

Episode 27.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on the spiritual disciplines.  This is part 1 of the discipline of prayer. We break it down like this: What is prayer? Practicing the discipline of prayer. Practical helps for your prayer life. Book Recommendations: Prayer by Timothy Keller The Valley of Vision  A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine Mc...

Episode 26. As we enter Holy Week, we discuss Easter and the significance of the resurrection for us as followers of Christ. What is it that Christians celebrate on Easter? What is the importance of the resurrection? Why do you think we don’t celebrate Easter as much as other holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc.? Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:20...

Episode 25. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “How do I know if I am really saved?”   1.  First, do you understand the gospel? https://www.machiasvalley.org/the-gospel Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 6:19-20; Galatians 3:26; John 10:27-30; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:13 Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22   2.  If yes, then you can know you are really...

Episode 24. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “Apostasy? Can you lose your salvation? Or were you never really saved to begin with? Respected Christians are on both sides of this debate so how should it be taught in church?” Scripture references:  2 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 21:21; Hebrews 6:4-8; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:15-16; Romans 10:13; 1 John 5:13   The Greek word a...

Episode 23.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of the Word.   Bible Reading Plans   Use Martin Luther’s Method: Instruction – What does this passage tell me to do? Praise – How does this passage make me worship God? Confession – How does this passage call me to confess the way that I failed? Petition – Ask for the Spir...