By the Book | Christ-centered teaching with Dr. Stephen Reynolds

By the Book | Christ-centered teaching with Dr. Stephen Reynolds

by Joseph Tate
Christianity
Season 2

Discussion Series | Rooted | 5. How to read the bible without making it about you

Most of us were never taught how to read the Bible. We were just told to read it. And when you figure it out on your own, you end up with a faith built on verses taken out of context, personal feelings dressed up as Scripture, and a Bible that somehow always agrees with you. In today's conversation, we break down the difference between devotional reading and proper interpretation — and why learning to read the Bible correctly changes everything about your faith. Key Topics Covered The difference between devotional reading and biblical interpretation Why context, genre, and author intent matter How to approach different types of writing in the Bible How proper Bible reading always leads you back to Jesus Key Scriptures Referenced 2 Timothy 2:15 — Correctly handling the word of truth 2 Timothy 3:16–17 — All Scripture is God-breathed Luke 24:44–46 — Jesus opening the whole Bible to His disciples Nehemiah 8:8 — Reading with understanding and meaning Key Takeaways The Bible was not written to you — it was written for you. That distinction matters. A text without context becomes a pretext. The Bible contains many genres — narrative, poetry, prophecy, letters, wisdom literature — and each one reads differently. Meaning doesn't change. Application does. Random verse-picking produces a fortune cookie faith — sweet for a moment, no real substance. The goal of Bible reading isn't to find yourself in every story. It's to find Jesus. Reflection Questions When you open your Bible, are you reading to hear from God — or to hear from yourself? Has a verse ever meant something personal to you that turned out to be taken out of context? How did that shape your faith? What would change if you started reading whole books of the Bible instead of single verses? How do you balance personal encounter with Scripture and proper understanding of it? Want to Go Deeper? According to Plan — Graeme Goldsworthy How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth — Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart The Jesus Storybook Bible — Sally Lloyd-Jones (a great reminder that every story whispers His name)
S2 · E5
Apr 22, 2026
26:51

Discussion Series | Rooted | 6. "Why The Old Testament Matters"

The Old Testament isn't a confusing collection of ancient laws and violent stories. It's the first half of one unified story — and it's impossible to fully understand Jesus without it. Today Pastor Steve walks us through covenants, sacrifices, and the logic of blood — and shows us how all of it points directly to Christ. Key Topics Covenants A covenant is a binding promise God makes with His people Every major covenant points forward to Jesus Key covenants: Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise God ever made Sacrifices The sacrificial system was God's way of showing His people what sin actually costs Leviticus isn't boring — it's a detailed picture of what it takes to approach a holy God The system was never meant to be the final answer — it was always pointing forward Why So Much Blood? Leviticus 17:11 — the life of the flesh is in the blood Blood represents life given in place of another life Every sacrifice was a preview of one moment — the cross John 1:29 — "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" How It All Points to Christ Luke 24:27 — Jesus opened the Scriptures and showed how they were all about Him Abraham and Isaac → the Father giving His Son The Passover Lamb → Jesus whose blood causes judgment to pass over us The High Priest → Jesus our permanent High Priest The Suffering Servant → Isaiah 53, written 700 years before the cross Key Scriptures Leviticus 17:11 2 Samuel 7:12–13 Jeremiah 31:31–34 Isaiah 53 John 1:29 Luke 24:27 Hebrews 10:1–4 Hebrews 4:14–16 Reflection Questions What part of the Old Testament has always confused you most? How does understanding the sacrificial system change the way you see the cross? If the Old Testament is one long arrow pointing to Jesus — what does that change about how you read it? Want to Go Deeper? According to Plan — Graeme Goldsworthy How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth — Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been avoiding the Old Testament. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E6
May 7, 2026
28:12

Discussion Series | Rooted | 7. Law Vs. Grace

Episode Summary Pastor Grant joins the conversation to help us work through one of the most important tensions in the Christian life — the relationship between law and grace. Why do Christians still struggle with sin after salvation? Why does guilt linger even after forgiveness? And what does sanctification actually look like day to day? Key Topics Covered What the law does — and what it was never designed to do What grace does — and what it doesn't excuse Why guilt lingers after forgiveness What sanctification actually looks like in real life Key Scriptures Romans 3:20 — Through the law comes knowledge of sin Romans 6:1–2 — Grace is not permission to sin Romans 8:1 — No condemnation in Christ Jesus Galatians 3:24 — The law as a tutor leading us to Christ Philippians 2:12–13 — Work out your salvation 1 John 1:9 — He is faithful to forgive Key Takeaways The law is a mirror — it shows the problem but cannot fix it Grace doesn't lower the standard — it meets it on your behalf Conviction leads to repentance. Condemnation leads to despair. They are not the same thing. Sanctification is not you trying harder — it is you cooperating with what God is already doing in you You are justified. You are being sanctified. You will be glorified. Reflection Questions Was your faith growing up more law-based or grace-based — and how did that shape you? What's the difference between conviction and condemnation in your own experience? Are you relating to God more like a slave trying not to get in trouble — or a child who is already loved? What does your sanctification actually look like day to day? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been carrying guilt they were never meant to hold. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E7
May 22, 2026
24:08

Discussion Series | Rooted | 8. Why Do I Still Sin If I'm Saved?

In today's conversation, Pastor Steve walks us through one of the most honest questions in the Christian life. Why do believers still struggle with sin after salvation? We cover the ongoing battle every believer faces, spend real time in Romans 7, and draw a crucial line between struggling with sin and being enslaved to it. Key Topics Covered Why the Christian life is still a war after salvation What Paul actually means in Romans 7 The difference between struggling with sin and being enslaved to it How to live between despair and dismissiveness Key Scriptures Romans 6:17–18 — freed from slavery to sin Romans 7:15–25 — Paul's honest description of the ongoing battle Romans 8:1 — no condemnation in Christ Jesus Romans 8:11 — the Spirit who raised Jesus lives in you Galatians 5:16–17 — the flesh and the Spirit in active opposition 1 Peter 5:8 — your enemy prowls like a roaring lion 1 John 1:9 — He is faithful to forgive Hebrews 12:1 — throw off the sin that entangles and run Key Takeaways You are justified — declared righteous. You are being sanctified — becoming righteous. You are not yet glorified — and that's why the battle continues. The war between flesh and Spirit is not a malfunction. It is the normal Christian experience. Romans 7 is Paul being honest — not defeated. The war itself is evidence of new life. A person with no Spirit has no war. They just sin. The answer to ongoing sin is not trying harder. It is Jesus. Slavery says — I can't stop and I don't want to. Struggle says — I fell again, but I'm getting back up. The difference is not perfection. The difference is direction. Reflection Questions Does Romans 7 sound like your experience — and does that comfort you or concern you? What's the difference between a struggling believer and someone who was never saved? Which are you more prone to — despair over your sin or dismissiveness about it? What does getting back up look like for you practically? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been carrying the weight of wondering if their struggle means they aren't saved. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E8
Jul 10, 2026
21:22

Discussion Series | Rooted | 9. What Do We Do When a Brother or Sister Won't Repent?

Episode Summary : What do you do when someone in the church is clearly living in unrepentant sin? Today Pastor Steve and Pastor Grant walk us through what Scripture says about confronting a sinning brother or sister, the Matthew 18 process, and how to tell the difference between a believer who is struggling and one who has simply settled. Key Topics Covered Why we can't look the other way when a fellow believer is in sin The Matthew 18 process — step by step The difference between struggling with sin and being unrepentant How to confront well — and what restoration looks like Key Scriptures Matthew 7:1–5 — judge not, in context Matthew 18:15–17 — the process Jesus gave us Galatians 6:1–2 — restore gently, watch yourself 2 Timothy 2:24–25 — patient and gentle instruction 1 John 1:8–9 — confession and forgiveness 2 Corinthians 2:6–8 — restoration after repentance Key Takeaways Staying silent about someone's sin is not grace — it’s avoidance. Matthew 7:1 doesn’t mean never confront sin. It means check yourself first. The Matthew 18 process has one goal at every stage — restoration. The difference between struggling and unrepentant is not the presence of sin — it’s the posture of the heart toward it. You cannot force repentance — but you can create the conditions for it. The church that disciplines well also restores well. The Matthew 18 Process Go privately — Matthew 18:15 Bring one or two witnesses — Matthew 18:16 Bring it to the church — Matthew 18:17 The hard step — treat them as outside the fellowship — Matthew 18:17b The goal at every stage is restoration. Reflection Questions Have you ever stayed silent about someone's sin and called it minding your own business? What's the difference between judging someone and lovingly confronting them? Is the person you're thinking about struggling toward repentance — or settled into their sin? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been trying to figure out how to love a friend through a hard season of unrepentant sin. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E9
Aug 7, 2026
31:39

Discussion Series | Rooted | 10. How Do I Know I'm Really Saved?

How do you know you're really saved? Pastor Steve opens with historian David Bebbington's definition of evangelicalism and works through what Scripture says about assurance of salvation. Grounded in John 6, John 10, and 1 John, this conversation gives believers a biblical foundation for confidence in their faith — not based on feelings, but on the promises of God. Key Topics Covered What Jesus promises about the security of those who belong to Him The difference between struggling with sin and never truly belonging to Christ What fruit, faith, and perseverance actually look like in a genuine believer Why assurance is grounded in God's promise — not your performance Key Scriptures John 6:38–40 — Jesus will lose none of those the Father has given Him John 10:27–29 — His sheep hear His voice and no one can snatch them from His hand Matthew 10:22 — the one who endures to the end will be saved 1 John 2:19 — they went out from us because they were never truly of us Philippians 1:6 — He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion Key Takeaways Assurance is not arrogance. It is taking God at His word. Jesus makes a clear promise — He will lose none of those the Father has given Him. No one can snatch a true believer out of the hand of Jesus — John 10:28–29. 1 John 2:19 draws an important distinction — those who walk away were never truly part of the body. Perseverance is not the condition of salvation — it is the evidence of it. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion — Philippians 1:6. Opening Framework — Bebbington's Quadrilateral Pastor Steve referenced historian David Bebbington's four marks of evangelical belief: Conversionism — the belief that lives need to be changed Activism — the expression of the gospel in effort and mission Biblicism — a particular regard for the Bible as the authority Crucicentrism — a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross These four marks frame what genuine evangelical faith looks like — and set up the question of what it means to truly belong to Christ. The 1 John Tests Do you believe the right things about Jesus? — 1 John 4:2 Do you walk in obedience — not perfectly but genuinely? — 1 John 2:3–4 Do you love other believers? — 1 John 3:14 Do you feel conviction when you sin? — 1 John 1:8–9 Is the general direction of your life toward Christ? — 1 John 2:6 Reflection Questions What does it mean to you personally that Jesus promises to lose none of those the Father has given Him? How does John 10:27–29 change the way you think about your own security in Christ? What is the difference between someone who walks away from faith and a true believer who struggles? Is your assurance based on how you feel — or on what God has promised? Where do you see Philippians 1:6 at work in your own life right now? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been quietly wrestling with whether their faith is real. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E10
Aug 27, 2026
25:31

Discussion Series | Rooted | 11. What Is God's Will for My Life?

"What Is God's Will for My Life?" Key Topics Covered What God's revealed will actually is — and why it's not hidden How God sometimes gives us options based on our passions and gifts Why we are called to live normal, happy, Christ-centered lives What faithfulness in ordinary life actually looks like Why joyful obedience is the will of God for every believer Key Scriptures 1 Thessalonians 4:3 — sanctification is God's will for you Micah 6:8 — act justly, love mercy, walk humbly Matthew 22:37–39 — love God and love your neighbor Genesis 12:1 — Abraham had the next step, not the full map Proverbs 3:5–6 — trust Him and He will direct your paths Proverbs 16:9 — the Lord establishes your steps Psalm 119:105 — a lamp to my feet, not a floodlight on the whole path Romans 8:28 — all things work together for good Colossians 3:23 — work at it with all your heart as for the Lord Luke 16:10 — faithful in little, faithful in much Ephesians 5:15–17 — walk wisely and make the most of every opportunity 1 Peter 4:10 — use your gifts to serve others Zechariah 4:10 — do not despise small things Key Takeaways God's revealed will is not a mystery — Scripture makes it plain. Start there. Within God's revealed will, He often gives us freedom to pursue the passions and gifts He has already placed in us. You are not one wrong decision away from ruining God's plan for your life. The Christian life is not about decoding a hidden blueprint — it is about joyfully living for Christ in the life you already have. Normal, faithful, Christ-centered living is not a consolation prize. It is the calling. Joyful obedience and prayerful living within God's revealed will is where most of the Christian life actually happens. What Biblical Guidance Looks Like Scripture — the primary and most reliable way God speaks — 2 Timothy 3:16–17 Wise counsel — Proverbs 15:22 — plans fail without counsel Prayer — staying connected to the God who guides Wisdom — Ephesians 5:15–17 — making the most of every opportunity Circumstances — open and closed doors can be helpful but are not infallible on their own Reflection Questions Are you obeying what God has already clearly revealed — before asking for more specific direction? What passions and gifts has God placed in you that you may not be taking seriously? Are you pursuing joy in your ordinary life — or are you waiting for something bigger before you start living? What would it look like to pray and live joyfully within God's revealed will starting today? How does knowing God sometimes gives you options change the way you approach decisions? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who has been paralyzed trying to figure out what God wants them to do next. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E11
Sep 16, 2026
27:33

Discussion Series | Rooted | 12. Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Pastor Steve and Pastor Grant sit down to tackle one of the oldest and hardest questions in the Christian life — why does God allow suffering? They're upfront that this question doesn't get a clean, tidy answer. But Scripture gives us something better than an answer. It gives us a framework, a Savior, and a hope. Key Topics Covered Where suffering actually comes from — Genesis 3 and the fall Why not all suffering is punishment — the difference between discipline and punishment What suffering produces in the life of a believer How the cross is God's ultimate answer to the problem of suffering Why suffering is never just about you — John 9 and God's glory What to actually do when you're in the middle of it Key Scriptures Genesis 3 — The origin of suffering in the fall James 1:2–4 — The testing of faith produces endurance, character, and maturity Romans 5:3–5 — Affliction produces endurance, endurance character, character hope Romans 8:28 — He works all things for the good of those who love Him 1 Peter 4:12–16 — Don't be surprised by the fiery ordeal — rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings 2 Corinthians 12:9 — My grace is sufficient; my power is perfected in weakness John 9:1–3 — Sometimes suffering is so God's work might be displayed John 11:4 — This sickness is for the glory of God John 11:35 — Jesus wept Galatians 6:2 — Carry one another's burdens Hebrews 4:15 — We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weakness Key Takeaways Suffering entered the world through the fall — it was never part of God's original design. Not all suffering is punishment. Sometimes God is disciplining, growing, and refining us through it. Suffering is not always about you. Sometimes it exists so God's work can be displayed — John 9. The cross is God's ultimate answer to suffering. Jesus entered it so it wouldn't have the final word. His grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in weakness — 2 Corinthians 12:9. The end of the Bible promises a day when suffering will be no more for the people of God. Pray first. Store up Scripture. Let the church walk with you. Don't isolate. What To Do When You're Suffering Pastor Grant's practical framework from the episode: Cry out to God first — like Jesus in the garden, bring it to the Father before anyone else Store up Scripture — the more Word you have memorized, the more vocabulary you give the Holy Spirit to speak into your suffering Lean on the church — Galatians 6:2; you were never meant to carry it alone Cling to the promises — Romans 8:28, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9 Reflection Questions Have you ever confused God's discipline with punishment? How did that shape the way you processed what you were going through? Is there suffering in your life right now that you've been carrying alone instead of bringing to God or your church community? How does knowing that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope change the way you frame what you're walking through? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who is walking through a hard season and needs a reminder that their suffering is not without purpose. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend
S2 · E12
Oct 2, 2026
26:22
Season 3

Sermon Series | The End Is All About Jesus | 1. The Revelation of Jesus

The End is All About Jesus The Revelation of Jesus Revelation 1:1-8 The Main Point: The book of Revelation is all about Jesus. We learn something about the book: The Revelation from Jesus Christ (1:1-2)Revelation is God’s Word. Revelation includes symbolic visions. (Dan 2:28-29, 45b) Revelation includes historical realities. We learn something about the reader: The Revelation of Blessing to the Church of Jesus Christ (1:3-4a)God’s people will be blessed by the book of Revelation. God’s people should read the book of Revelation. God’s people should obey the book of Revelation. God’s people should study the book of Revelation. We learn something about God: The Revelation about Jesus Christ (1:4b-8)Greeting from God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ. (vv4b-5a)Our God is the eternal Father. (Ex 3:14) Our God is the all-powerful Holy Spirit. (Isa 11:2) Our God is the Davidic king, Jesus Christ. (Ps 89:27-29, 36) Glory to Jesus Christ (vv5b-6)God’s people are loved by Jesus Christ. (Rom 8:37) God’s people are saved by Jesus Christ. God’s people are servants of Jesus Christ. God’s people glorify Jesus Christ. Declaration of Jesus Christ (vv7-8)Jesus is coming. (v7; Dan 7:13-14; Zech 12:10; Mt 24:30) God is in control. (v8) Next week’s sermon: The Vision of Jesus (Revelation 1:9-20)
S3 · E1
Apr 27, 2026
39:20

Sermon Series | The End Is All About Jesus | 2. The Vision of Jesus

The Vision of Jesus Revelation 1:9-20 The Main Point: In Revelation, we encounter Jesus so that we will worship Jesus. John heard the voice of Jesus. (vv9-11)Rev 2:9-10; Ezek 2:2; 3:12; Jn 4:24; Ex 19:16 The book of Revelation is God’s word to a suffering people. John saw the appearance of Jesus. (vv12-16)Ex 25:37-38; Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; 10:4-6 The book of Revelation promises God’s glorious presence among an exiled people. John received a commission from Jesus. (vv17-20)Dan 10:7-9, 10, 12 The book of Revelation shows God’s grace to a sinful people.
S3 · E2
May 4, 2026
41:38
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