In this episode, Ryan and Steph turn the page to chapter two in the book of James and discuss James' strong warning against partiality. James says showing partiality and favoritism is evil thinking that is treasonous to King Jesus because it is diametrically opposed to the Kingdom of God. He then gives us three ways to guard against the treasonous mindset of partiality.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (5:21) Evil Thinking
3. (14:18) Submit to King Jesus
4. (28:21) Obey the Royal Law

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

Up to this point in his letter, James has been teaching us how to cultivate genuine faith. Now, James tells us faith that is truly genuine is going to produce good fruit. If we hear the Word but we don't do what the Word says, we can deceive ourselves into believing we are followers of Jesus when we are, in fact, not followers of Jesus. Ryan and Steph discuss this sobering warning from James.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (4:38) Slow to Speak
3. (13:14) Look in the Mirror
4. (28:23) Circling Back

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

Ryan and Steph continue their conversation on the book of James by heeding James' warning about temptation. Sin may seem harmless at first, but it will eventually turn and destroy you. James encourages us to overcome temptation by remembering who God is and remembering who we are in Christ.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (3:31) Testing vs Tempting
3. (9:03) Sin Will Kill You!
4. (20:21) Remember Who God Is
5. (25:34) Remember Who You Are

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

In the opening words of his letter, James instructs us to count it all joy when we face trials and difficulties, because the exercising of our faith develops endurance to weather any storm. This is certainly a tall order, but in this episode, Ryan and Steph discuss two ways we can be anchored in joy in the midst of the raging sea.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (3:01) Count It All Joy
3. (15:11) Faith Muscles
4. (24:06) Change Your Perspective
5. (40:15) Change Your Pursuit

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

In this episode of Bible Banter, Ryan and Steph begin a verse-by-verse study through the book of James. The key to understanding James' letter is a word he uses seven times: "perfect." This word, in the original Greek, means "whole, complete, genuine." James is challenging his readers to turn away from hypocrisy and cultivate a genuine faith that practices what it preaches.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (6:39) Who Was James?
3. (21:45) To Whom Did James Write?
4. (28:25) Why Did James Write?

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

In the conclusion of their salvation conversation, Ryan and Steph shift gears slightly and talk about the invitation to become a disciple of Jesus. Every time someone asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" the answer He gave seemed to be very personalized. Ryan and Steph discuss how, in order to follow Jesus, we must turn away from our old identities and become new creations in Christ.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (3:40) Make Disciples
3. (14:28) A Personalized Call
4. (30:53) Repent and Be Baptized
5. (44:10) A New Creation

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

In part three of their conversation on salvation, Ryan and Steph tackle a mammoth question: Can you lose your salvation? First, Ryan presents a few key verses for the Eternal Security (once saved, always saved) side of the debate. Then, Ryan presents some key verses for the Conditional Security (you can lose your salvation) side. After considering both sides of the argument, Ryan and Steph discuss where they land.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (6:26) Eternal Security
3. (20:11) Conditional Security
4. (34:02) Hebrews 6
5. (44:56) Which Is It?

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

Ryan and Steph continue their conversation on salvation by asking the question, "Can you earn your salvation?" First, they consider the explicit words of Paul in Ephesians 2 that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works. Then, Ryan and Steph turn to James 2 and discuss the seemingly contradictory words that faith without works is dead. Is salvation a gift to be simply received, or is it something we must achieve through our good works?

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (4:20) Saved By Grace
3. (14:33) Through Faith
4. (26:55) Faith Without Works
5. (43:10) Let Your Light Shine

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

What are we talking about when we talk about salvation? Is salvation a ticket to heaven, personal redemption, or perhaps so much more? In this episode, Ryan and Steph begin a four-part series on salvation by tracing the storyline of salvation throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God is on a rescue mission to deliver us from our sin and restore all that was lost and broken.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (4:22) Waiting For Salvation
3. (19:22) Unexpected Savior
4. (37:45) Present Evil Age
5. (47:38) The Age to Come

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show

In this stand-alone episode, Ryan and Steph explore the fascinating symbolism of east in the Bible. On the first page of the Bible, we are told that God plants a garden on the east side of Eden. After the humans rebel, God expels them eastward. As you continue reading the biblical story, humanity keeps moving further east, away from the Garden of Eden. But, the prophets envisioned a day when humanity would ultimately return to Eden.

CHAPTERS:

1. (0:00) Introduction
2. (4:06) A Garden in the East 
3. (14:26) Moving East 
4. (22:48) A Call Back Home 
5. (35:33) Wise Men in the East 
6. (43:33) The Sun Will Rise 

VIEW FULL SHOW NOTES ▶

Support the show