Provoke & Inspire Podcast

Is our culture really is concerned about the end of the world, or is it just for fun? What is the proper way for followers of Jesus to view the end times? How can it be used to start a spiritual conversation with non-religious people?  In this week's episode, Ben, David, and Luke are together in person to discuss these important questions. -----------------------------------------------------...

What does God say about our bodies? Why is our understanding of the body so relevant for followers of Jesus? Author, pastor, and apologist Sam Allberry joins Ben and David to talk about the practical response Christians can make when engaging people in the areas of sexual brokenness. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We want to par...

How do we celebrate an incremental understanding of the Gospel without avoiding the difficult aspects of sharing our faith? What counts as the 'full' Gospel? Do we need to share everything all at once, and how do we decide that? This week, the guys react to a conversation where YouTuber Ryan Trahan shares Jesus with Anthony Padilla. Was this a good example of a spiritual conversation, or...

When past internet sins (e.g., we say/post something hurtful, inappropriate, or dishonoring) are exposed in our lives or the lives of others, how do we react? Show grace? Cancel them? Or is it all just overreaction and Wokeism?  Were Relient K the latest victims of cancel culture? But moreover, is every part of this movement wrong? The guys react to the viral TikTok video that led to an apology fr...

The guys dive into the current events at The Village Church regarding pastor Matt Chandler and his decision to step down indefinitely as teaching pastor. What can we learn, and what steps of caution should we be careful to exercise in light of this situation? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We want to help! Sign up for the Steige...

With the US government seeming to be affirming the reality of aliens, or at least UAP's (UFO's), what does this mean for Christianity? Is this a huge problem we need to address, or does it have no implications on our faith whatsoever? Could it be an opportunity for the Gospel?  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are there...

In this episode replay, Ben, Aaron, and Chad are joined by author, teacher, and speaker Preston Sprinkle (Theology In The Raw). Preston and the regulars discuss today's sexually broken culture in light of the perfect love of Christ, and the church's historically negative track record in regard to it. To Learn More About Preston Visit: www.prestonsprinkle.com Follow Ben Instagram: https:/...

What can we do when people, by and large, seem to be leaving and choosing churches for ideological, rather than theological reasons? In this episode replay, the regulars are joined by author, speaker and pastor Matt Chandler of the Village Church. They talk about how we should approach a growing generation of people who are skeptical toward Christianity, and would likely never walk into a church....

In this episode replay, Ben and Luke talk to therapist, author, and speaker Jay Stringer about his book "Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing." Jay speaks about how unwanted sexual behaviors can actually serve as a roadmap, and as keys to finding restoration and breakthrough from habits and addictions in this area. To learn more about Jay Stringer, click here: https...

In this classic episode Ben and the regulars sit down with Dallas Jenkins, creator of the multi-season series on the life of Jesus, "The Chosen". Dallas shares the hardships that brought him to create the series, as well as the reliance on God to do "impossible math" that keeps it going every day. Check out The Chosen here: https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen To learn more...

Why are our world's anxiety levels spinning out of control? Is there an underlying reason that this is happening? In this episode Ben and Aaron bring on cultural commentator, author and speaker Mark Sayers to discuss this issue, and his new book "A Non-Anxious Presence'. Get 'A Non-Anxious Presence' here: https://amzn.to/3vp5r16 For more information about Mark , check out:...

Are we as Christians living the lives that God has for us, or are we fearfully refusing to go where God has called us to?  Are we any different than the Israelites who refused to go into the promised land? Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/benalanpierce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzbenpierce Follow David Instagram: https://www.instagra...

Does following Jesus in today's culture guarantee that you will in some way be canceled? How can we have genuine relationships with people in secular culture without being off-putting, or having them feel tricked by our 'relevance' when we finally do share the gospel with them? The regulars attempt to answer these questions, and David continues to question why Luke always gets to go...

In this episode Ben and David further unpack what transpired on No Longer Music’s trip to Brazil last week; the controversy that led to a front-page article in Brazil's edition of The Rolling Stone. Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/benalanpierce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzbenpierce Follow David Instagram: https://www.instagram....

A quick update about one of the most eventful tours in NLM history... Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/benalanpierce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzbenpierce Follow David Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_rockpriest/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.j.pierce.5 Follow Chad Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadisliving/...

Is it enough to merely have biblical understanding, without ever experiencing a real relationship with Jesus through the Holy spirit? Is there a difference between knowledge, and knowing? The guys tackle this contentious topic in the latest installment of the series on false dichotomies. Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/benalanpierce Facebook...

Ben and Luke are joined by Andy Byrd of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) in discussing the great commission: what it is, and how so many in the modern church don't understand it. Andy shares the story of how "The Send" went from an idea birthed through intense prayer and seeking God, to the massive catalytic missions conference that it is today. Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagra...

We often take advantage of God's kindness, or beat ourselves up when we sin. But on the other hand, we can just as easily rely on our own attempts at holiness, and elevate ourselves above others in the process. Our series on false dichotomies continues as we explore the tension between grace and holiness in our lives. David shares the story of a man with a portable record player, and Luke is...

The regulars explore the idea of whether everything that we decide to do is according to God's plan. How do we know whether we are following God's will, when the task at hand might seem foolish? Are we just being stupid, or is God doing something phenomenal through foolish means, as he often does? Is it possible that we often rush into things, even seemingly good things, but that are aga...

Do results come from our hard work, or from God's power AT work in our lives? Ben, David and Chad talk about the tensions of this contentious topic in the latest installment in the series on false dichotomies. Chad also addresses a type of secret admirer he's recently gained through the podcast. Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/bena...

Do we have to choose between preaching the gospel, or being dedicated to social justice? In this installment of the mini-series on false dichotomies, the regulars (minus Chad) attempt to unpack one of the biggest out there. Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/benalanpierce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzbenpierce Follow David Instagram: ht...

In this episode the four regulars finally converge once again to continue their mini-series on common false dichotomies in the Christian faith, and discuss the nuances of, as the title would suggest, being in the world but not of it; how can we do this? Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter.com/benalanpierce Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzbenpie...

In this episode Ben and Aaron are joined by author and pastor Andy Stanley to talk about his new book, "Not in It to Win It: Why Choosing Sides Sidelines the Church". They talk about how we as a church attempt to use the tools of the kingdoms of this world to solve problems in the church, which never accomplishes what we intend it to. To learn more about Andy Stanley, visit andystanley.c...

In this episode, continuing with part two of the mini-series as we dive further into how to address seemingly false dichotomies of Truth Vs. Love. Assuming we should be telling the truth as part of having genuine relationships with people around us - this week we dig into the question of how we can be speaking truth in a loving way and avoiding being a clanging gong or cymbal - just noise, as Paul...

Do we tell people the truth, or simply love them? Is it possible to do both? In this first installment of the series, "Get Outta Here With Your False Dichotomies!" Ben and the regulars dissect how to love people as Jesus instructs us to do, without compromising on the truth as our culture so often does. Follow Ben Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nzbenpierce Twitter: https://twitter....