There is so much evil and pain in this world, and in this life. It all just feels too much to bear. We don't just face the evils of men; day by day, we are confronted with truly wicked and demonic powers that look to steal our hope.

Expository preaching has been very popular for the last 30 to 40 years, and we are thankful for that. But the Bible actually tells us how the Word is to be explained and expounded, and that is what this episode is about. Jon and Justin are going to make the argument that if Christ is not part of the explanation, then technically it is not a Christian sermon. It is not a biblical sermon. It is not biblical exposition. It is a bold claim, but this conversation really matters. We are going to argue from Scripture what biblical expositional preaching actually is. To avoid burying the lead: it is about Jesus.

Is there a man who sits on the throne of God? And what does that mean for us? Can Jesus identify with us and have compassion on us in the midst of our struggle, our fear, and our discouragement? Does He feel things for us? Is Jesus of Nazareth a man of feeling? The answer to those questions is yes. He is a man of feeling. He is with us, compassionate, merciful, and gentle. This has everything to do with the fact that He is not only God; He is truly human. Jon and Justin are going to have that conversation today, and we hope it encourages and comforts you in Christ.

Today's episode is definitely a little more in your face, as you can tell from the title, but it's so important. Jon and Justin want to talk about preaching and how we understand Scripture in general, including expository and exegetical preaching. We want to help you see that if your conclusion is not Jesus, then something is missing. And we have reasons for saying that, based on the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. So if your sermon is exegetically and historically sound but does not end with Christ, we are going to challenge that. Because without Jesus, the sermon is ultimately empty.

When you read Genesis or Exodus, the very first books of the Bible, what comes to mind? Do you think of creationism versus evolution? An ark in Kentucky? Or do you think about Christ, how He has been present from the very beginning and is woven through every book of Scripture, including Genesis and Exodus? Jon and Justin are having a conversation today about Christ in the beginning. We’re going to survey Genesis and Exodus and help you see Jesus, not in a strange or forced way, but in a sound, biblical, apostolic way. Christ is there. He is for you. He has always been the Redeemer. We hope this encourages and comforts you.

Some of you may feel like your testimony isn’t exciting enough to be worth sharing. Maybe you’ve wondered if you're even saved because you haven’t experienced a dramatic life transformation. Others may think only those who’ve hit rock bottom can truly understand grace. In this episode, Jon and Justin talk about why that’s not true; and why every believer, no matter their story, needs the same amazing grace.

Many of you have probably prayed the prayer of Paul: “Lord, please take this away from me.” Not just once, but many times. It can become exhausting, frustrating, and even lead to doubt. That’s why today’s podcast is so important. We need to talk about trials and God’s grace, and how the two go together. What promise do we actually have from God? We dive deep into the reality of His love for us, especially how it’s not transactional, even in the midst of our suffering. We hope this encourages you. And if you find it helpful, please share it with someone. It might give them strength and hope in their own season of suffering.

In this life, we’re offered all kinds of reasons and purposes to live. But when you try them, you often realize that, in the end, you’re still weak, still unsatisfied, and still not measuring up. Then comes the question: “What is the purpose of my life? Why am I even here?” That’s a really tough place to be. This episode connects closely to last week’s: “Jesus Knows You’re Tired.” So what now? Do we just give up? Is that the message of Christ? No. He gives us new hope, a new identity, and a new purpose. And it’s in our weakness that we find our greatest significance. That’s what today’s episode is all about. We hope it encourages you.

Maybe you’ve heard the term arrival fallacy; the idea that once we reach a certain point in life, things will finally get easier. We can fall into the same mindset in the Christian life, believing that one day suffering will lessen, trials will be lighter, or the battle with sin won’t be as intense. Some even think that if we just get church and doctrine right, the problems will go away. But that’s not biblical. In this episode, Jon and Justin talk about the ongoing reality of weakness, struggle, and suffering in the Christian life. You’re not alone, you’re not crazy, and Christ is for you and with you.

James 4 gives us an interesting warning: Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. In Ephesians 4, Paul talks about not giving the devil a foothold—don’t give him room in the congregation. What we want to talk about today is this: What does that actually look like, and what is Satan after in both of those contexts? We would argue that, throughout the New Testament, the writers are trying to protect something specific from Satan—and it’s vitally important that we understand what that is. Why? Because it’s directly connected to our spiritual health and life. These are real attacks from a real enemy.

Should we be brute-forcing sanctification? Are we relying on our own strength to produce holiness? The American church often places heavy emphasis on the growth of the Christian—living each day simply to behave better than the day before—instead of emphasizing trust and rest in the finished work of Christ. It becomes more about avoiding sin than clinging to Jesus. In today’s episode, Jon and Justin are joined by a panel of pastors from the recent Grace Reformed Network 2025 General Assembly conference. Together, we discuss key doctrinal failings within the broader American church and how the Holy Spirit truly brings about sanctification in us.

In Reformed circles, we can be wary of the word experience—often for good reason. Emotional manipulation and manufactured moments have led many to question what’s truly spiritual. But Scripture is clear: God promises His supernatural presence in the gathering of His people. Church is an encounter with the living God—a true spiritual experience where our souls are fed and refreshed. In this episode, we explore how God meets us in real, tangible ways and why we should expect to walk away encouraged by Him.