The Firm Faith Podcast

Jordan and Nick discuss the importance and fruit of cultivating the discipline of giving thanks in all circumstances. Recommended Resources: The Grumbler’s Guide to Giving Thanks: Reclaiming the Gifts of a Lost Spiritual Discipline Thanksgiving: An Investigation of a Pauline Theme The Things of Earth by Joe Rigney Strangely Bright by Joe Rigney

Jack and Nick share a helpful way to study the Scriptures. Come and hear how they have benefited from David Powlison's teachings in an effort to root out lies we may believe. Recommended Resources: David Powlison (2000). ““Peace be still”: Learning Psalm 131 by Heart,” The Journal of Biblical Counseling , 18(3), 2-10. Seeing With New Eyes by David Powlison “Two Ways of Doing Life: Psalm 23 ver...

Nick has a special guest drop in on the show to talk about the blessings of faithful friendships. This particular guest has been a close friend of Pastor Nick for almost 20 years! We hope you will be blessed by their reflections on 20 years of friendship and the way God has worked in them.

Nick and Jack discuss the importance of living a disciplined life. Join us as we unpack the benefits of both physical and spiritual disciplines. Recommended Resources: Habits of Grace by David Mathis Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney What's Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productiv...

Nick and a special guest discuss a question from a listener. How do we actually preach the gospel to ourselves throughout a given day or week? Join us as we discuss how to reorient yourself around Christ throughout the day. Recommended Resources: A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges The Cross-Centered Life by CJ Mahaney Preaching the Gospel to Yourself: Class...

We’re continuing to explore the significance of the six pillars of our church for our walk with Christ. In this episode, Jack and Nick discuss the pillar of Compelling Community. Check out the resources below for additional help in cultivating compelling community. Recommended Resources: Sermon on Compelling Community  Book: The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive by...

Jack puts Jordan on the hot seat as they discuss what the Bible says about God's presence. They explore the practical applications of this for Christian life and corporate worship. Recommended Resources: True Worshippers by Bob Kauflin, (chapter 8) Habits of Grace by David Matthis Corporate Worship by Matt Merker (why church is necessary) For deeper study: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem T...

Jordan and Nick discuss the reasoning and benefits of attending a local worship gathering while on vacation. Recommended Resources: The Things of Earth by Joe Rigney The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God by Guy Prentiss Waters Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis

In this episode, Nick and Jack discuss apologetics related to the resurrection and how we can have certainty of our faith in Jesus. Recommended Resources:  The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel The Case for Easter by Lee Strobel The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona “The Reality of the Resurrection” in The Reason for God by Tim Keller

Nick hosts past and present deacons to discuss the role, qualifications, and what their experience has been like as a deacon. Recommended Resources: Paul’s Vision for the Deacons: Assisting Elders with the Care of God’s Church - Alexander Strauch Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church - Matt Smethurst

Nick has a conversation with Pastor Chris about the work God has been doing in his life to grow him into a courageous evangelist. Join us for a discussion about the pillar of Courageous Evangelism and the desire to reach our community for Christ. Resources: A Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent The Gospel and Personal Evangelism - Mark Dever Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus - Mack Stile...

Nick and Jack discuss the use of language that is overly subjective and borderline manipulative, even if well-intended. Resource List Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung “How do I know God’s calling for my life?” by John Piper Ask Pastor John by Tony Reinke “How can I know God’s will for my life?” from GotQuestions.org

Nick hosts a few of Harvest's pastors to discuss the role, qualifications, and their personal experience of pastoring.

Nick and Jack discuss the call to purposeful discipleship by looking at Matthew 4:19 and Matthew 28:18-20. They discuss the goal of being a disciple-making church and issue the challenge to meet with another Christian to mature in the faith. "Who's your 1?" Recommended Resources: The Lost Art of Disciple-Making by Leroy Eims  Born to Reproduce by Dawson Trotman One to One Bible Readi...

Overview: Genesis 1 tells us that we are made in the image of our Creator God. Being his image bearers means we are to reflect his image by our own creativity. Join us as we discuss what this practically looks like and if there is such a thing as a "creative" and "non-creative" distinction. In all of this, hear more about how creativity can play out in the local church to the glory of God! Recomme...

Jack shares his testimony and major shaping moments + resources for his life/ministry. Check out the recommended resources below: Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper 27 Servants of Sovereign Joy by John Piper Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Little Pilgrim’s Big Journey by Tyler Van Halteren Family Worship by Donald Whitney Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney The Call by Os Guinness Spiritual Gro...

Nick, Jordan, and a special guest discuss the topic of Christian hospitality. The origin for the idea for this episode stems from Rosaria Butterfield’s book “The Gospel Comes with a House Key” which was published back in 2018. Each of us has read her book and found it intensely practical and challenging. Recommended Resources: The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield

Building off our previous two episodes, Jack and Nick discuss some key questions about how individual Christians faithfully represent Christ and his kingdom amongst the kingdoms of the earth. They discuss how the Bible calls for Christians to live as ambassadors for Christ. Check out the resources below for more learning on this topic: How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman How Can I Love Church...

In this episode, we want to think theologically about the church. Specifically, we want to discuss the idea of the church as an embassy of heaven on earth. Check out the resources below for more learning on this topic: How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman What is the Mission of the Church? By Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert

Nick and special guest, Greg Baker, discuss what it means to be a good steward of our citizenship. Greg serves as Executive Vice President of the Church Ambassador Network, an initiative of The Family Leader Foundation based here in Iowa. Recommended Resources: Bible Study of Daniel 1-6, 1-2 Kings, Acts How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman Politics - According to the Bible by Wayne Grudem How C...

This episode attempts to dive into a simple yet complicated conversation. It's no secret that our Western culture is moving to be driven by individualism and self-expression, what many call expressive individualism or post-modernism. In short, these ideologies lead to a worldview driven by personal emotions, wants, and desires. Today we discuss how this came about and how we can faithfully convers...

Jordan shares his testimony and major shaping moments and resources for his life/ministry. Check out the recommended resources below: Heart of Change Videos – Brent Aucoin The Enemy Within – Kris Lundgaard A Gospel Primer – Milton Vincent Habits of Grace – David Matthis The Gospel Coalition Desiring God

We’re continuing to explore the significance of the six pillars of our church for our walk with Christ. In this episode, Jordan and Nick discuss the pillar of Fervent Prayer.  Check out the resources below for additional help in growing in fervent prayer: Six Pillars Graphic Six Pill ars Sermon Series Book: Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus Through the Spiritual Disciplines - David Mathis Book: Pray...

Overview: Each episode so far has hit on various spiritual disciplines. Specifically Bible intake (reading/listening) and prayer have come up often! So, in light of this and one of our church pillars being Fervent Prayer, Jack and Frasier discuss a helpful combination of disciplines: praying through the Bible. What is it? Why is it worth trying? And practically how is it done? Praying the Bible by...

Nick shares his reasons for starting the Firm Faith podcast, his testimony, and resources that have shaped his life and ministry. Check out the resources referenced in the episode at the links below: A Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent Knowing God - J.I. Packer Overcoming Sin & Temptation - John Owen The Enemy Within - Kris Lundgaard Holiness - J.C. Ryle Recovering the Gospel - Paul Washer Nichol...