Gospel Points

Welcome back! It’s been quite a long time since I’ve been able to post a podcast, but I am back! After a few weeks of closing out the school year and moving back to Wisconsin, I’m glad to be back in the podcasting chair cranking out some new episodes. This week we pick up right where we left off with author Mark Ward and his book Can I Smoke Pot? In this final segment we compare marijuana with alcohol and also discuss possible medicinal benefits. We wrap things up with a quick discussion of how to answer issues like this that are not directly addressed in Scripture.

Today is April 20 or 420 a time that has become associated with Marijuana smoking. As several states have legalized pot, Christians have begun to discuss the morality of its recreational use. Authors Tom Breeden and Mark L. Ward ask this question in the title of their book - Can I Smoke Pot? To tackle this question, Mark L. Ward joins us on the podcast. This week we discuss the larger question of how to apply a Biblical theology to this topic and look at how we can see this in light of the Word of God.

This week we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, so on this episode of the Gospel Points podcast we focus on the importance of the resurrection. Many would agree that Jesus was a great moral teacher who inspired millions of people for thousands of years. Does it really matter if he actually rose from the dead? His teaching and his reputation will live on forever regardless. I ask this question and several others to Pastor Jeremy Scott of the Memorial Baptist Church in Verona, WI.

This week on the Gospel Points podcast we are again joined by Pastor Aaron White of the River Hills Community Church in Janesville, WI. We’re discussing Pastor White’s book, When Shadows Fall: The Grieving Saint and the Granite Promises of Romans 8. In this final segment we walk through the promises found in Romans chapter 8 or the "Great 38."

This week on the Gospel Points podcast we are joined by Pastor Aaron White of the River Hills Community Church in Janesville, WI. We’re discussing Pastor White’s book, When Shadows Fall: The Grieving Saint and the Granite Promises of Romans 8. Listen in as we talk about how believers in Christ grapple with the loss of their loved ones in light of the precious promises of the Word of God. You can purchase the book here - http://amzn.to/2mCaiKy

This week on Gospel Points we welcome back Pastor Cody Almanzar of the Grace Family Church in Canon City, CO. In this final segment with Cody, we chat about the challenges of bi-vocational ministry, ways congregations can help their bi-vocational pastor and then we wrap things up by talking about his Ordinary Pastor Podcast (that is well worth your time to download, AFTER you're all caught up with Gospel Points episodes).

This week on Gospel Points we welcome Pastor Cody Almanzar of the Grace Family Church in Canon City, CO. In addition to pastoring, Cody is the host of he Ordinary Pastor Podcast that features interviews with pastors, pastor's wives, missionaries and church members. Check it out here - http://ordinarypastors.com In this first segment, Cody and chat about the challenges of being an "ordinary" pastor in world (and even a church) that is obsessed with celebrity and notoriety.

This week's Gospel Points Podcast features part 2 of our interview with Pastor Matt Trewella of Mercy Seat Christian Church in Milwaukee. We're talking about his book, the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates. In this final segment we chat about Romans 13 and then spend the remainder of our time we get a history lesson as we travel back in time to discuss the Magdeburg Confession. You can purchase the book here - http://amzn.to/2l2z95r

This afternoon, Donald J. Trump will place his hand on a Bible, take an oath to uphold the Constitution and then officially become the 45th President of the United States. As we recognize this formal transition of power, religious leaders such as Paula White and Franklin Graham will stand before the Capitol Building and speak a few words. For some reason, I was not invited to speak at this event. If I wrote a message anyway. This past week I delivered this message, based from the advice given to King Lemuel in Proverbs 31, at a chapel service at Rock County Christian School. I think it's worth your time to listen to my charge to the new President.

This week we wrap up our interview with Pastor Jeff Durbin, pastor of the Apologia Church and host of the Apologia Radio Podcast. We're talking about Jeff's new initiative to End Abortion Now. This week we chat about his ministry at local abortion clinics and some of the objections people have about such an outreach. Don’t forget to check out www.endabortionnow.com for more details and to show your support.

This week Gospel Points returns for season five! To get things started right, this week’s podcast feature’s the one and only Pastor Jeff Durbin from the Apologia Church in Tempe, AZ. Pastor Jeff is launching a new ministry called End Abortion Now and is raising quite a bit of money to get this off the ground. Listen in to this week’s segment to hear about how the Apologia Church got involved in the fight against abortion and how they plan to help your church get involved as well. Don’t forget to check out www.endabortionnow.com for more details and to show your support.

This week on Gospel Points we will be talking about civil disobedience. When is it ok to disobey the civil authority God has placed in your life? Our guest is Pastor Matt Trewella of Mercy Seat Christian Church in Milwaukee. He is also the founder of Missionaries to the Pre-Born and the author of the book, the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, the book at the center of our discussion. Check out the website at https://lessermagistrate.com

On this week’s episode of Gospel Points we finish up our look at Christians and depression with our final segment with Pastor Jim Oakley. Last week Jim walked through his personal journey and in this segment he takes us through the Scriptures for encouragement and strength. Be sure to check out his blog at www.pastorjimsblog.weebly.com

On this week’s edition of Gospel Points we continue our look at depression from a Christian perspective. Listen in as Pastor Jim Oakley describes his own personal journal and the struggles he has experienced. In our conversation we encourage Christians to strip away the mask of fake happiness and be real about our issues. We also discuss when to consider seeking medical attention and wrestle through the question of medication. Check out Pastor Jim's blog at http://pastorjimsblog.weebly.com

With the theology of Calvin and the thirst of Luther, this week we’re talking about the Reformed Pubcast (www.reformedpubcast.com), the wildly popular podcast hosted by Les Lanphere and Tanner Barfield. The podcast seeks to discuss reformed theology while also talking up their love for craft beers. Les Lanphere joins us once again to chat about how the podcast was started and how the Pub Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/reformedpub) grew into huge discussion group that takes up much of my newsfeed each day. Also, don’t forget about the documentary Les old us about last week. There’s still time to give your support! Check it out here – www.calvinistmovie.com.

Though many have found the doctrines of grace to be highly offensive, Charles Spurgeon suggested that Calvinism was only a mere nickname for the gospel. This week we’ll be talking about Calvinism with Les Lanphere of the Reformed Pubcast. Les will chat with us about wide range of topics regarding this issue, including his personal journey and will fill us in on his exciting new project, a documentary about Calvinism featuring such names as James R. White, Michael Horton, Tim Challies, and Joe Thorn. Learn more at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1832273783/calvinist-documentary-film

Welcome back to the Gospel Point Podcast! After over a month’s hiatus we are finally back in action. We begin picking up right where we left off with part two of our interview with Caleb Kolstad of the First Baptist Church of Freeport, IL. In this final segment we talk about how the Bible can be authoritative if the text of Scripture is subject to so many different interpretations. We then conclude with a discussion of what Biblical authority looks like practically within our local churches.

This week on the Gospel Points Podcast we are chatting with Pastor Caleb Kolstad of the First Baptist Church of Freeport, IL. The issue at hand is the importance of Biblical authority. In an age where every authority is questioned, the authority and priority of God’s Word is especially under attack. In this first segment, Pastor Caleb defines for us just what Biblical authority is and how even some within the church may be tempted to abandon it in favor of something else. We also discuss the difference between a Reformed and Catholic understanding of this doctrine. Read Pastor Kolstad's blog here - http://preacherboy316pt2.blogspot.com

If there is one thing that kills any sort of gospel emphasis or progress in true sanctification, it is legalism. Of course no one would even identify themselves as a legalist, it is always that person to the right of me, the one whose standards are stricter than mine that has that issue. Yet the problem is everywhere, especially in my own heart. We all struggle with the temptation to think that my standing with God is based upon my own striving and effort. In this podcast, I’ve asked my old college friend Brian McLaughlin (Pastor of the Fairview Baptist Church in Decatur, AL) to talk about identifying legalism and then overcoming those legalistic tendencies that sometimes tempt us to take pride in ourselves.

Join us this week on Gospel Points as we talk about what everyone has been talking about, the latest Star Wars release. Don’t worry, there won’t be any spoiler alerts! However, I did decide to bring in the biggest Star Wars nerd I could find to get his perspective. So, listen in as Pastor Phil Allen (Daystar Christian Fellowship) and I look at the Star Wars genre from the lens of a Christian worldview. Avoiding the clichés of merely talking about possible New Age aspects the movie may endorse, we delve into such topics as how believers may enjoy such movies in the first place and we examine elements in the series that reflect the reality of man’s fallen condition that ultimately points us to our need for redemption.