Hebrews 11:4 says of Abel, “Through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” Similarly, the legacy of faith left by historical figures like Augustine of Hippo continues to speak to us. Born in AD 354 in what is now Algeria, Augustine lived ...

Athanasius. His name alone carries the weight of church history. Known as Athanasius contra mundum ("Athanasius against the world"), this 4th-century bishop from Alexandria stood firm in defending a single theological point that came d...

Last Sunday, we stood with Jesus before Pilate in John 18, a showdown of truth and power that sets the stage for every moment of courage that follows. This week, we’re transported to another courtroom in Acts 26, where the apostle Paul stands t...

Let’s talk about Peter. I think we all get why he drew his sword that night. The soldiers are coming for Jesus, and Peter thinks, Not on my watch. You can almost hear him muttering, "I’ll save you, Jesus!"—sword flailing, ear flying. P...

We return to Ephesians 6:18-20, focusing on the pivotal role of prayer in spiritual warfare. While Paul vividly illustrates each piece of the "armor of God," he leaves prayer without an analog—perhaps intentionally. Prayer is not merely an acce...

This episode takes an in-depth look at the phrase "take the helmet of salvation" from Ephesians 6:17. Though brief, these words carry profound significance for believers, especially when viewed in the broader context of the spiritual battles fa...

In this episode, we delve into the rich imagery and profound teachings of Ephesians 6:16, focusing on the "shield of faith." This discussion aims to deepen your understanding of spiritual warfare and how faith acts as a crucial defense against ...

How can we defend ourselves against the devil’s relentless attacks since he is so clever, subtle, and disguised? The apostle Paul answers, “Take up the whole armor of God.”

As it happens, the cure for a fractured heart is anything but law-keeping. According to James, the only cure is the gospel—that is, humbly receiving the grace of God.

We can readily see how James deals with two distinct issues in James 4:13-5:6, but pride and materialism tie them together.

We may consider ourselves God-pleasing people, but James says, “I see pride, double-mindedness, and a desperate need for repentance.” Thankfully, God gives greater grace.

If anything reveals our double-mindedness and fractured hearts, it is our tongues, speech, and the words we speak. There is a direct connection between the heart and the mouth.

The greatest danger is knowing about God, accepting Christ and his gospel intellectually, and identifying as a Christian without it transforming our lives.

Whether it’s a celebrity, winning the championship game, or the breathtaking view at the top of a mountain, our hearts are attracted to glory for better or worse.

James is trying to show us how to mend our divided hearts and lead us toward singular devotion to God. Where does that start? It starts with the word of God. Get full access to On Life & Scripture at

James’s overarching theme is that we become whole and people of integrity. However, James does not instruct us to rely on ourselves. He continually points us to God. Get full access to On Life & Scripture at

James may not be the most systematic author of the Bible, but there is a central theme connecting all of his epistle’s various teachings—double-mindedness.

Jesus said salvation is the end for his disciples, but what about everything before the end? He said it would require endurance.

Suffering is inevitable. Following Jesus requires trusting in God’s sovereign plan and looking forward to the day when God will make all things new and remove suffering forever.

What should we do to be good stewards of our money and possessions? How do we honor and glorify God with our wealth? How do we follow Jesus with what we own?

How are we supposed to feel about our occupations? How do Jesus and the gospel shape our perspective and approach to work?

To follow Jesus is to be a fisher of men. It requires we love people enough to warn them about the wrath to come and share with them the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ.

How do we know the Lord’s will for us? How can we follow Jesus if we don’t know what he wants for us? What does the Bible tell us about his will?

Following Christ is a process of growth. It’s spiritual growth, growth in our understanding, growth in our conviction, growth in our maturity, and growth in wisdom.Books referenced in this episode:

Come as you are, but don’t expect to stay that way. Justification explains how we are declared holy. Sanctification explains how we become holy.Books and sermons mentioned in this episode: