Further

This week on Further , Brenton Grimm is joined by regular guest Nathan Williams along with first-time guest Coleman Reed and Kyle Knoll, who recently preached at Harmony Bible Church’s Fort Madison and Burlington campuses. The group dives into John 12, exploring themes like the hardness of heart, God’s glory, and the meaning of Jesus drawing “all people” to Himself. They discuss the tension betwee...

This week on Further , Brenton and Chris dive into the Old Testament’s role in pointing to Jesus, discussing how its prophecies—roughly 60 major ones—connect directly to His life and ministry. Chris addresses common objections from skeptics, showing why Jesus couldn’t have merely staged His fulfillment of prophecy. They also push back on modern tendencies to “unhitch” from the Old Testament, stres...

In this episode, Brenton and Chris discuss John 12 and the tension between worshiping Jesus for who He is versus what He can give us. They examine Judas’s self-serving motives and contrast them with Mary’s extravagant act of worship, raising the question: is Jesus our end or merely a means to one? The conversation also explores how a God-centered theology helps us endure persecution and avoid a tr...

This week on Further , Brenton sits down with Paul Fischbach and Matt Mitchell to reflect on John 11 and the tension between God’s sovereignty and human sin. They discuss how Caiaphas’s pragmatic decisions serve as a warning against self-serving compromises, especially in leadership and personal life. The conversation dives into the comforting yet challenging truth that God works through even sinf...

In this episode of Further , Brenton sits down with Clay to talk through his recent sermon on anger from John 11. Clay shares how his own personal struggles with anger helped shape his message and how Jesus’ response to grief and brokenness reveals a purposeful, righteous anger. They discuss the difference between stuffing or venting anger and what it means to bring our emotions to Jesus with hone...

This week on Further , Brenton is joined by Nate Todd and Tony Esslinger for a deep dive into John 11. They reflect on the story of Lazarus and how Jesus redirects Martha’s hope from an event to Himself. The conversation highlights the importance of slowing down when reading familiar passages, paying attention to what the people in the story were really experiencing. They also explore how real tru...

Andrew joins Brenton this week to give an update on global missions at Harmony, highlighting several student and adult trips happening over the summer. He shares stories of impactful missionary biographies, including Adoniram Judson, Amy Carmichael, and Jim Elliott, emphasizing their perseverance through suffering. The conversation then shifts to John 11 and the topic of suffering, with Andrew off...

In this episode of Further , Brenton and Chris dive into the issue of church hurt, exploring why it happens and how believers can respond in healthy, biblical ways. They discuss the importance of honest confrontation, following Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18, and how both real mistreatment and misinterpreted correction can cause pain. The conversation highlights the need for church cultures where p...

In this episode of Further , Brenton and Chris dive into John 10 and explore what Jesus meant when He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” They unpack the dangers of prosperity gospel interpretations, particularly how such teachings distort the gospel and harm vulnerable communities. Drawing connections between John 10, Psalm 23, and Ezekiel 34, they highlight the biblica...

In this episode of Further , Brenton Grimm is joined by Nathan Williams and Matt Mitchell to reflect on their recent sermons covering John 9. They discuss how Jesus’ reference to himself as the “Son of Man” ties directly to Daniel 7, signaling his divine identity—a point that would’ve been clear to the religious leaders of the time. The conversation then moves to a nuanced discussion of suffering,...

Brenton and Chris kick off the episode catching up on summer plans and family get-togethers. The conversation then shifts into a deep dive on John 8, focusing on Jesus’ statement about Abraham rejoicing to see his day. Chris explains the biblical and theological background behind this, drawing connections between Abraham’s faith and Jesus’ identity. They also explore how Jesus' calm response...

Brenton Grimm and Chris Carr explore the tension between biblical authority and personal interpretation in this episode of Further . They discuss the dangers of reading the Bible only through affirming or familiar lenses, emphasizing the need for humility and the willingness to be challenged. Chris explains why disagreement among scholars doesn't negate the clarity of essential gospel truths....

Brenton and Chris discuss the recent election of a new Pope and its cultural impact, especially from an evangelical perspective. Chris expresses concern over evangelicals being too enthusiastic about the Catholic Church without acknowledging key doctrinal differences—particularly around justification, papal authority, and Scripture. They transition into a deep dive on the doctrine of the persevera...

This week on Further , Brenton Grimm hosts a full house with Matt Mitchell, Andrew Weise, and Paul Fischbach as they unpack different angles on the same passage from John. The group reflects on how Jesus' words about being "from above" challenge us to listen and respond with humility. Paul shares how preaching on sin—especially on Mother’s Day—required a careful balance of truth and...

In this week’s episode of Further , Brenton sits down with Nate Todd and Matt Mitchell to discuss what it means to “walk in the light” from both theological and personal perspectives. They explore the tension between our identity in Christ and our tendency to return to darkness, clarifying how walking in the light involves both a spiritual state and an ongoing practice. Both pastors share vulnerab...

In this episode, Brenton and Chris dive into the textual challenges of John 8:1–11 and why it still deserves our attention. They explore how we can trust the Bible despite manuscript differences, why both grace and truth are essential to gospel culture, and how the church can hold conviction without condemnation. They also discuss how the church can be a place where people are free to struggle whi...

Brenton and Chris reflect on the completion of the first two-year phase of their church journey, emphasizing that the work is far from over. They discuss the recent Commitment Sunday. Chris dives into the challenging but essential message of dying to self, unpacking the Greek words for "life" to clarify the biblical call to transformation. The episode also features an acorn analogy, symb...

On this week's episode of Further Brenton and Chris reflect on the recent Advance Commitment event, sharing personal takeaways and anticipation for Commitment Sunday. They dive into the story of Zacchaeus, challenging the surface-level, flannel-graph version many remember from childhood. Chris emphasizes the deeper themes of heart transformation, judgment, and the purpose of Jesus’ mission. T...

Brenton and Chris kick off the episode by announcing the winners of their recent giveaway and celebrating the engagement from listeners. They discuss the significance of generosity, emphasizing that giving is not about the amount but about the heart behind it. The conversation explores how financial stewardship is a discipleship issue, not just a church resource matter. They also address the feeli...

In this special 100th episode, Brenton and Chris reflect on the journey of the podcast and how it has evolved over the past two years. They dive into an important conversation about shame, its impact on our lives, and how it connects to sin. Chris shares insights from his personal journey and biblical study, highlighting how the church often struggles to address this issue effectively. They also d...

Brenton and Chris kick off the episode by discussing upcoming events and the feeling of being in the homestretch of their current season. They dive into Chris’s latest sermon on generosity, focusing on 2 Corinthians 9:6 and what it truly means to reap bountifully. Chris clarifies the difference between biblical giving and the prosperity gospel, emphasizing that financial blessings are meant to fue...

In this episode, Brenton and Chris talk about an upcoming church event, the Advanced Commitment Event, and why it’s more than just pledging—it’s about worship, community, and stories of faith. They dive into the topic of stewardship, exploring what the Bible says about managing what we’ve been given. Chris breaks down Jesus’ teachings on generosity and how giving isn’t just about money—it’s a way...

Brenton Grimm and Chris Carr kick off another episode of Further with a discussion about Chris’s upcoming nine-week preaching stretch, including an in-depth dive into transformation. They reflect on the start of the All In series and the unique energy it brought to the congregation. The conversation shifts to the church’s ministry expansion and the reasoning behind investing in new facilities, emp...

Brenton and Nathan discuss the heart of surrendering to Jesus, emphasizing that outward behaviors are just symptoms of a deeper issue—our sin nature. Nathan shares his approach to helping people recognize their need for Christ, focusing on the root problem rather than just their actions. They explore why some see the message of the cross as foolishness, diving into biblical wisdom and human pride....

In this episode of Further, Brenton Grimm sits down with Nate Todd and Paul Fischbach to discuss the importance of knowing God's Word and theology in everyday life. The conversation dives into the challenges of sermon preparation, the significance of the Feast of Booths, and how Jesus' teachings at the festival pointed directly to His identity. They also explore common misconceptions abo...