Sermon Notes

Is worship just singing, or is it something more? In this masterclass, Hunter Melton explains what true worship really is and why confession is the starting point for a right relationship with God. Many of us think of worship as songs we sing, but Scripture shows that worship is about treasuring God above all things. And before we can worship with a whole heart, we must first come to God with hone...

Why does reading the Bible feel so overwhelming, and how do you actually start? In this MasterClass, David Hannah walks through the spiritual discipline of reading God’s Word in a world full of information, distraction, and confusion. We have access to more knowledge than ever before, but without a foundation of truth, it can leave us feeling anxious and directionless. Scripture is not just anothe...

Why does silence feel so uncomfortable in a world full of constant noise and distraction? In this masterclass, Brandon Abbott shares practical ways to step away from distraction, create intentional space for solitude, and build rhythms of quiet that help you hear from God. If we are not careful, noise and activity will shape our thoughts, emotions, and pace of life more than God’s presence does. B...

How do we cultivate a healthy prayer life in a world full of phones, notifications, and constant distraction? In this masterclass, John Joseph shares practical ways to build rhythms of prayer, create intentional space with God, pray throughout the day, and resist the digital habits that compete for our attention. If we are not careful, technology will shape our minds, emotions, and priorities more...

Why does silence feel so difficult in today’s world? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball sits down with Mike Glenn to explore the spiritual discipline of solitude and why intentional time with God matters more than ever. Together, they discuss distraction, technology, noise, prayer, spiritual rhythms, and the example of Jesus withdrawing to commune with the Father. If you feel...

What happens when you consistently read Scripture? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball and Evan Kunz explore 2 Timothy 3 and the truth that God’s Word is living, active, and able to transform your life. They unpack how Scripture, combined with the work of the Holy Spirit, shapes your desires, corrects your thinking, and equips you to live faithfully in a distracted world. If yo...

What if prayer isn’t about getting God to respond, but about aligning your heart with Him? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball and Hunter Melton walk through the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 and uncover a deeper, more meaningful way to pray. From adoration and trust to provision, forgiveness, and spiritual warfare, this conversation challenges common misconceptions and invites yo...

What’s shaping you—God’s truth or the world’s counterfeits? In this episode, we launch the Formed Not Conformed MasterClass series with a deep dive into Genesis 3, unpacking the serpent’s deception, humanity’s hunger for godlike knowledge, and the modern parallels found in artificial intelligence. Together, we explore why knowledge without trust leads to emptiness, how AI can mirror the ancient te...

In this Holy Week episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball reflect on Mark chapter 11 and the significance of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, walking through Palm Sunday and the days leading up to Good Friday. The conversation explores the historical and prophetic details surrounding the events, the mixed motives of the crowds, Jesus’s confrontations with religious...

In this powerful conclusion to the Chosen Exile series, Brian Ball and Aaron Bryant dive into 1 Peter chapter 5, reflecting on Peter’s unique voice and his charge to Christian leaders. The conversation explores the call to humility and faithful stewardship, discussing how leadership in the church should be shaped by Christlike character rather than worldly accomplishments. The episode focuses on t...

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball is joined by longtime friend and pastor Mike Glenn to continue the "Chosen Exile" series with a deep dive into 1 Peter chapter 4. Together, they explore Peter’s call for believers to live with urgency, humility, and love as they follow Christ in a world that often feels foreign. The conversation touches on the importance of prayer a...

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball and Brandon Abbott explore 1 Peter chapters 3 and 4, diving deep into the themes of humility, courage, and unwavering hope for believers living as “chosen exiles.” They discuss what it means to follow Christ with faithfulness, even in the face of suffering, while offering practical insights on building Christian community, raising faith-fille...

What does it look like to follow Jesus when life feels unfair, uncertain, or interrupted? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, we walk through 1 Peter 3 and explore how humility, compassion, and even blessing those who hurt us become a powerful witness to the world. From suffering and submission to everyday evangelism, this conversation reminds us that our greatest apologetic is Christ at...

What does 1 Peter really teach about marriage, suffering, and submission—and why does it matter for everyday life? In this episode, the conversation slows down to place Peter’s household instructions in their first-century Roman context, revealing how Scripture elevates dignity, calls husbands to understanding and honor, and forms marriages into a visible gospel witness. Rather than starting with...

What do you do when life feels unfair, painful, or completely out of your control? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball slow down in 1 Peter 2:18–25 to explore a hard but hope-filled truth: you can’t always control your circumstances, but you can follow Jesus’ example in them. From submission that isn’t weakness, to suffering that becomes a witness, this convers...

What if the church isn’t a place you go, but a people God is building—stone by stone? In this episode, the conversation centers on 1 Peter’s picture of believers as  living stones  being formed into a spiritual house with Jesus as the cornerstone. You’ll hear why unity doesn’t mean uniformity, how good traditions can quietly become distractions, and how Spirit-led community makes God’s presence vi...

In this episode of Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball sits down with Brandon Abbott to unpack 1 Peter and the stunning image of believers as “living stones.” Together, they explore how 1 Peter reveals Jesus as the cornerstone, how the church becomes a spiritual house marked by unity (not uniformity), and why our traditions can’t replace true obedience and Spirit-led community. If you’ve ever wondere...

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball begin a new study through 1 Peter by tracing Peter’s opening praise and what it reveals about our identity and security in Christ. You’ll hear why the Christian life starts with worship, how God’s mercy gives us new birth into a living hope, and what it means to have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfadin...

In this episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball kick off a new series called "Chosen Exiles," diving into the book of 1 Peter and its message for believers living as God's people in a world that often feels unfamiliar or challenging. Together, they explore Peter's unique perspective, discussing his relatable ups-and-downs in faith, the importance of suffe...

Christmas didn’t arrive in calm and quiet—it came into a broken world. In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball walk through Matthew 2 to explore Herod’s violence, Mary and Joseph’s costly obedience, and the clash of kingdoms surrounding Jesus’ birth. Rather than avoiding suffering and lament, Matthew shows us a deeper Christmas hope: the true King has come, God is...

In this episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, host Jay Strother and Brian Ball take a deeper dive into Matthew’s Gospel as we approach Christmas. Together, they discuss how Matthew reveals Jesus as the promised King, unpacking key themes of authority, fulfillment, and the kingship of Jesus. Explore fascinating cultural and historical context—from the motivations of Herod the Great to the different...

What really happened in Matthew 1:18–25, and why does Joseph’s quiet “yes” still matter today? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball walk through Joseph’s world—an honor–shame culture, an unexpected pregnancy, and an angelic dream that upended his settled plans. Together they unpack Joseph and the virgin birth, the fulfillment of Isaiah’s Emmanuel prophecy, and t...

Matthew 1–2 doesn’t just tell a Christmas story—it reveals how God has been guiding history toward Jesus all along. In this episode, Jay Strother and Brian Ball explore these opening chapters of Matthew, weaving together genealogy, world empires, religious factions, and everyday people to show how the promised King arrived through unexpected paths—and how we can avoid missing Him ourselves.

In this episode of Sermon Notes, Brian Ball sits down with Aaron Bryant to trace the theme of authority through Matthew 21–28. From religious leaders who fear people more than God, to parables that expose empty religion and invite real repentance, this conversation shows how Jesus is not just a teacher with opinions, He is the King with all authority. The guys close in Matthew 28 with the Great Co...

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball walk through  Matthew 15–18  and show how these chapters form a powerful, connected narrative about Jesus’ kingdom, the heart behind our actions, the value of every believer, and how the church is meant to care for one another. From Jesus confronting empty tradition, to Peter’s confession, the transfiguration, the lost sheep,...