Sound in Faith

by Sound in Faith

Season 2

War And Peace - How God is Working in Ukraine

Today we have the privilege to talk with Oleksandr Dimov. He’s the regional Senior Pastor for the Baptist Union in the Odesa region of Ukraine. Oleksandr, tell us a little about yourself. When did you become a believer? How long have you served as a pastor in Ukraine? What does your work entail as the regional director now? What are some difficulties and challenges the church in Ukraine has faced since the war began? How are Christians dealing with these difficulties? How have you seen God provide for the church during this difficult time? Do you have some stories about how you’ve seen God change lives despite the difficult circumstances? What are some ways we can be praying for the church in Ukraine? Please pray for: A just peace for Ukraine; Seeking God and revival for the people of Ukraine Holding educational pastoral conferences; Training new ministers (pastors and deacons); Planting new churches in Odesa and the region Conducting health camps and constant work with refugees, children and people with special needs; Service to the families of fallen soldiers If you would like to support the ministry in Ukraine, visit https://www.convergeheartland.org/donate and select “Ukraine Relief Fund”

Prepare For Battle! Waging War Against The Sin of Lust And Pornography

Episode Questions 1. How common is the struggle with pornography, and why is it so common today? 2. Is it more common with men or women? 3. Do you have any initial advice for a listener who is secretly struggling with pornography? 4. What does the Bible have to say about it? 5. Isn’t pornography a victimless sin? 6. How does porn affect our spiritual lives? 7. How do we fight pornography and the sin of lust? 8. How does the church help in this? 9. Do you suggest any books on this subject? Listener Questions: For non-believers, is death the end or are they facing eternity as well, yet separated from God? John 3:16 talks about perishing versus eternal life. One of the definitions of perish is to suffer death, complete ruin, or destruction. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 talks of eternal destruction and separation from our Lord. – Max Is there a time when compromising is biblically justified - say in passages like Matthew 17:24-27? Can you give some practical advice about when to compromise and when not to in things like friendship, marriage, and disagreements at work? – Anonymous Links FaithSF.com/SoundinFaith FaithSF.com/Store

Sound in Faith Podcast - 2-2 - Keep Calm And Follow Jesus (Even When Life is a Mess)

Why is life SO hard for SO many? Is the doctrine of providence helpful during suffering? How do we battle the discouragement that comes with difficult circumstances? What is lament, and how is it different than grumbling? Does God really expect me to rejoice in all things? What part does the church play during the suffering of the saints? Suggestions for how to draw into the church during my difficult circumstances. Would you suggest any helpful books to read on this subject Ways To Minister to Someone Who is Suffering Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) Share Scripture with them Pray with them Serve them (e.g. Bring them a meal, give them a gift card, come clean their house, etc.) Just be with them (e.g. Go for a walk, come sit with them, have coffee with them)

Settle Down Now! Why Church Hopping is Bad for Your Spiritual Health

Questions What do you mean by the term ‘church hopping’? How common is church hopping today? What are some reasons why Christian’s church hop? Can you describe healthy reasons/circumstances for changing a church (that would not qualify as church hopping)? Why is church hopping harmful… to the church? And to the Christian? Can you offer advice to Christians struggling to love their church? Can you offer encouragement to churches and church leaders in the wake of significant church hopping. Is this just a passive-aggressive message to everyone who has ever left your churches? Listener Questions: “Can you lose salvation? If not, what reward is being referred to in Matthew 10:42?” - Anna

Season 1

How Can Christians Show Hospitality?

What is hospitality? What does the Bible have to say about hospitality? Is hospitality something all Christians should be doing? What if it’s not my “gift”? What are some practical ways we can show hospitality? How might we approach hospitality with our church family and with other Christians? How might we approach hospitality with our neighbors and non-Christian friends and acquaintances? What’s a time you were impacted by receiving Christian hospitality? What’s a time you were able to show Christian hospitality and God used it? Listener Questions: What are your thoughts on Mark 9:38-40? “38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.” - Anonymous

Don't Waste Your Summer

Define wasting your summer. What is the opposite of wasting your summer? What is at stake? What is the connection between wasting your summer and wasting your life? Why is God so interested in how we use time? Why is it so easy to let the summer slip by? How can we not waste our summer? What part does church play in this? The spiritual disciplines? How can I help others to make the most of the summer? Book/summer reading suggestions? Listener Questions: How and when does God harden a heart? - Anna

How Can Christians Be Discerning About Music?

Why talk about evaluating “secular” music? Can Christians ever listen to songs that aren’t explicitly “Christian?” What are some things we should be careful about when listening to music? How can I be discerning about the songs I listen to? How would you evaluate some popular songs? 1960s - “Sound of Silence” - Simon and Garfunkle 1970s - “Imagine” - John Lennon 1980s - “Living on a Prayer” - Bon Jovi 1990s - “Bittersweet Symphony” - The Verve 2000s - “Viva La Vida” - Coldplay 2010s - “Happy” - Pharrell Williams What about Taylor Swift? Conclusions: How should we think about the music of pop culture and what we listen to as Christians? Listener Questions: How is one chosen by God? Can you be unchosen? - Anna

How Should Christians Deal With Conflict?

Episode Questions: Why a podcast on interpersonal relationships and conflict? Why do Christians sometimes struggle to get along? How does the gospel relate to and influence human conflict? What are some biblical principles to navigate conflict? Does turn the other cheek mean be a doormat? What is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? What are some preventative measures when it comes to conflict? How do we know if we should push a conflict or cover it with love? How can I begin to repair a broken relationship? Listener Questions: Philippians 4:7 says “...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Does this mean true Christians can’t struggle with mental illness and things like depression, trauma, or PTSD? Is taking medication sinful? - Anonymous

How Do We See The Word in Our Gathered Worship? Part 2 - The Lord's Supper

In this week's episode we continue our series on "See the Word" as we discuss the second ordinance of the church, The Lord's Supper. Briefly describe what we do in the Lord’s Supper. Is there an Old Testament background to what we’re doing? How might we define the Lord’s Supper and why do we observe it? Definition: “The Lord’s Supper is a church’s corporate act of remembering and proclaiming Christ’s salvation through his atoning sacrifice by partaking of bread, representing his body, and the cup, representing his blood, and a believer’s act of acknowledging Christ’s benefits and renewing his or her commitment to Christ together in fellowship with other believers, until Christ returns.” Why is observing it corporately as a church important? Why are the elements important? Should we be using “real wine” at Faith? Do the elements change? How does the Lord’s Supper “proclaim Christ’s salvation”? 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 warns of taking in an “unworthy manner.” What does this mean? Who should NOT take the Lord’s Supper? Who SHOULD take the Lord’s Supper? Listener Questions: How can we as believers pray for the world and talk to our unbelieving friends and family as international tensions create fear of a possible World War III. What should our perspective be as believers and how can we point others to Christ in the midst of unrest and uncertainty about the future? - Maria Reading 1 Peter 3:15. How would you interpret this text? Is every Christian instructed study to Apologetics or is Peter perhaps just discouraging blind faith? - Max

How Do We See The Word in Our Gathered Worship? Part 1 - Baptism

In this week's episode we talk about the ordinances, baptism and the Lord's Supper and how they are visual depictions of the word in our gathered worship. We then dive first into baptism, what it signifies, who should receive it and why mode of baptism is important. What do we mean by “See the Word”? What are the ordinances and why do Baptists prefer the term “ordinances” to “sacraments”? Briefly cover different views. What is believer’s baptism? Who should be baptized? Why do we make such a big deal about the mode of baptism (by immersion)? Why does Faith require baptism by immersion for membership? What if I was baptized as a baby or sprinkled as an adult, should I get baptized? Should I be baptized if I’ve already been a Christian for a long time but have not been baptized? How can I get baptized at Faith? Listener Questions: Can you further explain what Jesus did during the time between his death and resurrection? (I Peter 3:19) Did he give those "spirits in prison" which had already rejected God an opportunity for salvation? - Raquel Frequently in Leviticus it has the phrase “cut off from his people”. What did that mean, and was it ever practiced? - Mary Why do you believe the Bible over say the Koran, Torah, or another religion’s holy book? - Max

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