Beyond the Message

What does it look like to live a life free from approval? It's something many of us struggle with, and for some, it can become a real problem. But here's the good news: God already approves of you if you're in Christ. That changes everything, freeing us up to live with confidence, integrity, and without constantly comparing ourselves to others. When we know we're approved by God, we're more likely to focus on His work, and naturally take pride in Christ. Basically, being connected to Christ means we're secure in God's approval, and that sets us free.

Highlights from the message:The desire for approval is a battle for all, an addiction for some, and slavery for others.

Once you understand that because of the gospel, you belong to Christ and therefore have God's approval, you can live confidently, consistently, without comparison, and contently. As you live that way, your life is marked by boasting only in the Lord.

Big Idea: Belonging to Christ is the way to living in the freedom of God's approval, and boasting in Christ is the overflow of that freedom.

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Bright Hope for Tomorrow

In this episode, we continue our discussion on 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. In yesterday’s message, we explored how Paul's actions were driven by the life of Christ and how we can apply this to our lives. We also examined the dangers of spiritual strongholds and how to fight spiritual battles with biblical truth. Remember, spiritual warfare is powered by God and fought with the weapons of God!

Highlights from the message:Strongholds don't always look big and scary, but are spiritually deadly

Fight spiritual battles with Biblical truth

Spiritual warfare is powered by God and fought with the weapons of God

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Bright Hope for Tomorrow

In this message, Garrett explored 2 Corinthians 8-9, emphasizing that godly generosity starts with giving ourselves first to the Lord. He reminded us that true wealth is found in Christ, not in earthly possessions, and challenged us to reflect on whether our lives—particularly our stewardship of money—reflect our confession of faith. On the cross, Jesus gave his all for us, withholding nothing. As we recognize all that we have in Christ, may our generosity be motivated by his. What does it look like to give your first and best to the Lord this week?

Highlights from the message:Godly generosity begins with giving yourself first to the Lord

Godly generosity sets a trajectory for your heart that leads to abundant joy

True, godly generosity begins with a broken and contrite spirit that is humbly surrendered to Christ and lives in awe of the indescribable gift of the atoning blood of Christ. 

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp

A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity

In this text, we looked at three motivations for generosity: to expand the gospel by displaying the power of God in us, to express the gospel by authenticating the profession of God from us, and to experience the gospel through the provision of God to us. Glorify God and you will experience God.

Highlights from the message:Giving is a submission that comes from a confession.

Giving is the proving ground of faith.

We are never going to be good givers until we are good receivers

Glorify God and you will experience God

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp

A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity

In this text, we saw that generous Christian giving should not be an exaction, nor done sparingly, reluctantly, or under compulsion. Instead our giving should be a willing, generous, thoughtful, cheerful, confident decision!

Highlights from the message:How we give should honor God.Don't let sinful emotions undermine godly commands.Give intentional, gospel-minded thought to your giving decisions.Our giving should be a willing, generous, thoughtful, cheerful, confident decision.

Show Notes:

Gospel-Centered Finance class 3/9/25-4/13/25

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp

A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity

How does integrity shape the credibility of our faith? In 2 Corinthians 8:16-24 Paul goes to great lengths to prove his integrity to the Corinthian church. But, why was this so important to him? Because he understood that his integrity wasn’t just about his reputation—it was about defending the credibility of the gospel itself and helping the Corinthian church do so as well.

Highlights from the message:

Paul goes to great lengths to prove his integrity to Corinth

Paul desired to prove his integrity because he knew his integrity defended the credibility of the gospel

Paul calls Christ's church to pursue integrity with how we handle money and with our entire lives

Show Notes:

Gospel-Centered Finance class 3/9/25-4/13/25

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp

A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity

Does God care about us being rich and acting like it? The answer is yes, but definitely not in a worldly way. In 2 Corinthians 8:8-15, Paul encourages believers to attain spiritual wealth through Christ's salvation and to demonstrate this by generously giving to God's people. This giving should be complete, proportional, and selfless, reflecting a life transformed by God's grace.

Highlights from the message:Get rich by the grace of Jesus. Act rich by giving to his people.

Act rich by giving completely, proportionally, and selflessly

Show Notes:

Gospel-Centered Finance class 3/9/25-4/13/25

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp

A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity

Did you know there is a type of giving that dishonors God? Giving should not be dependent on wealth, circumstances, or comfort. Christian giving is a voluntary, sacrificial, joyful, overflow of God's grace, despite circumstances, testifying to a changed heart. The call for followers of Christ is to excel in giving out of an overflow of God’s ultimate act of grace to us. Our giving is a big deal.

Show Notes:

1/10/2021 Money Sunday Message mentioned in this podcast (not 2019).

Gospel-Centered Finance class 3/9/25-4/13/25

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp

A Short Guide to Gospel Generosity

People who are willing to cause and receive godly grief find deep joy. There are two kinds of grief, godly grief and worldly grief. Why you feel bad matters - the right kind of grief is key to deeper joy. Godly grief is good because of God's mercy.

Our holiness is key to our effectiveness for God and our intimacy with God. Holiness is something we should care about, and if we better understood why, we would have a greater passion for it. Christ died to remove the offense of sin and break the practical power of sin over us. The motivation for holiness is promises -- good news drives good behavior.