The Crook and The Book

The podcast episode begins with a lighthearted discussion about speeding tickets, followed by a deep dive into Acts chapter one and a sermon summary. The conversation then explores the themes of leadership, calling, and the office of apostle, concluding with a discussion on descriptive vs. prescriptive passages in the Bible. Takeaways Leadership and calling require obedience and initiative. The of...

The podcast discussion delves into the topic of providence, defining it as the larger category that extends beyond just salvation and encompasses God's control over all things. The conversation explores biblical support for providence, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. The importance of understanding providence is highlighted, focusing on its role in providing comfort, shapin...

This week on the podcast, our hosts explore Gospel of Mark 14:53–72, focusing on the contrast between human failure and Jesus’ perfect faithfulness. Through Jesus’ unjust trial and Peter’s denial, they discuss how fear and pressure expose our weakness while Christ remains steadfast. The conversation also highlights the difference between Peter and Judas Iscariot, pointing to the hope of repentance...

This week on the podcast, our hosts explore the theological and biblical perspectives on the Lord’s Supper. They examine the four main views of transubstantiation, consubstantiation, the memorial view, and the spiritual presence view, along with the key biblical texts behind each. The conversation highlights how these understandings shape church practice, inform the meaning of communion as an ordi...

This week on the podcast, our hosts expound further on the sermon on Mark 13:14–27. They explore the warnings about the abomination of desolation, tribulation, and the coming of the Son of Man. They discuss how this passage would have been heard by Jesus’ original audience, what it reveals about judgment, endurance, and hope, and why the main call for Christians is to be on guard and remain watchf...

This week on the podcast, our hosts reflect on the life and legacy of John MacArthur, discussing the impact his preaching, writing, and ministry had on their own lives as pastors. They share how they were first introduced to John MacArthur’s ministry and teaching, and what they learned from him and his ministry that spanned five decades. The conversation wraps up by responding to a thoughtful list...

This week on the podcast, our hosts are discussing the doctrine of predestination. Specifically, how they’ve wrestled with it, what it says about God’s sovereignty, and why it’s actually good news. They talk about their own stories, where evangelism fits in, and how this doctrine can bring real comfort.

In this episode, our hosts dive into what scripture teaches about God’s covenant with Israel and how the Church fits into that unfolding story. They explore key theological frameworks such as dispensationalism, covenant theology, and positions in between. The conversation also considers how these perspectives shape our understanding of God’s promises, our approach to theological disagreements, and...

In this episode of The Crook & The Book, pastors Luke, Andrew, and Jeremy discuss the church’s connection to the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA). They explore the denomination’s roots, its focus on global missions, and the significance of the biannual General Council, a key gathering that shapes the CMA’s direction and unity. They reflect on how the council inspires local churches, sha...

This week on The Crook & The Book, the hosts dive into Jeremy's sermon on Mark 10:46–52, where Jesus heals the blind man Bartimaeus. As Bartimaeus cries out to the "Son of David," he demonstrates an understanding of Jesus’ messianic identity that Jeremy outlined in his sermon. They also discuss his wholehearted plea and the powerful picture of childlike faith. The conversation unpacks the spir...

In this week’s episode, the hosts unpack Pastor Jeremy’s recent sermon on the Rich Young Ruler, highlighting its central message: the call to self-denial in following Christ. They delve into the spiritual dangers of wealth and comfort, discussing how these can foster self-reliance or even self-righteousness. Regardless of one’s financial situation, believers are reminded of the need to depend whol...

In this week's episode, our hosts dive into Pastor Jeremy's recent sermon, focusing on the miracle of Jesus healing the blind man in Bethsaida. They explore the deeper significance of this miracle, highlighting how it symbolizes God opening blind eyes to His truth. The conversation also touches on the comfort found in God's sovereignty, particularly when it comes to sharing the gospel with non-bel...

Due to issues with the producer’s schedule (or poor memory), we are a week behind in episode releases. In this episode, the crew is back together to discuss a subject that came up in a recent sermon. They discuss biblical versus unbiblical rules and how to understand them. They get into specifics of the necessity of some man-made rules, as well as discussing legalism and its implications. To concl...

The Crook & The Book is back for the first episode of 2025! In this week's episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew review Jeremy’s recent sermon continuing in the Book of Mark. They explore Jesus’ ministry the the role of the disciples and how they partner in ministry. This is correlated to how ministry partnerships exist today within the local church and beyond. To finish o...

In this week's episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew review Andrew’s recent sermon. They talk about how Jesus shows Himself as the Creator and how the disciples respond in panic, connecting it to how we see the world. They also answer a listener's question about faith versus fear and finish with a lighthearted discussion about their favorite Christmas traditions.

In this special episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Jeremy answer some listener questions. They answer a question on end times theology and how to live in light of Christ returning in the future. Additionally, they address a question focusing on living alongside lost people without condoning their sin, while sharing the gospel. They end the discussion with a question about thanksgi...

In this episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew delve into the significance of the Lord's Supper. The discussion touches on the definition of the Lord’s Supper, who may participate, when it should be celebrated, and the elements used. They emphasize the communal aspect of communion, the importance of church membership, and the spiritual nourishment it provides. Their conversatio...

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Luke and Andrew discuss Jeremy’s sermon on Mark 2:1-12….without Jeremy. They explore themes of forgiveness, the authority of Jesus, the importance of preaching, and the deeper implications of sin. The also emphasize the need for believers to receive and rejoice in Christ's offerings, while also discussing practical applications of the gospel in dai...

The Crook and the Book is back! Apologies for missing an episode two weeks ago, but we had some technical difficulties and the episode was lost. In this episode of the Crook and the Book podcast, our hosts delve into the significance of prayer in the Christian life. They discuss the reasons for prayer, common hindrances to maintaining a robust prayer life, and practical tips for fostering a health...

In this episode of the Crook in the Book Podcast, the team is back together as our hosts discuss Mark 1:12-13 and the topic of temptation. They explore the idea that temptation reveals who we really are and how Jesus' temptation in the wilderness reveals Him to be the sinless Son of God. They also address the question of why God allows us to be tempted and how that fits with James 1:13-14. They em...

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Luke and Jeremy discuss Exodus 35:11 through 40:38. The main theme of the passage is that God graciously dwells with his people. The construction of the tabernacle and the rituals and sacrifices associated with it are necessary for God to dwell with sinners. The passage also emphasizes the importance of obedience for Christians and the mission of r...

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Andrew is solo again and interviews Randy Harvey, an elder at Westwood Alliance Church, about the role of Adult Sunday School in the discipleship strategy of the local church. They discuss how Sunday School accomplishes discipleship, the difference between Sunday School and corporate worship, the process of picking teachers and topics, and the bene...

In this episode of the Crook in the Book podcast, Andrew and Jeremy discuss the nature of the local church. They emphasize that the local church is a group of Christians who regularly gather, affirm each other's faith, and practice the preaching of the gospel and the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper. They also discuss the importance of meeting on the Lord's Day and the significance of t...

On this very special episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” Andrew is solo and has an interview with a special guest. They discuss children's ministry, specifically focusing on pre-K ministry. Ellen Lilly, the special guest, shares experiences and insights from her teaching career and ministry involvement. The conversation covers the structure of Sunday school classes, the importance of int...

On this episode of “The Crook & The Book Podcast” our hosts discuss the concept of God's holiness. They define holiness as God being set apart and completely different from us. They explain that God's holiness is directly related to His glory and that His holiness is pure and untainted by sin. They discuss the implications of God's holiness, including the comfort it brings to believers and the...