Ever tried to out-good your flaws and still felt the weight won’t lift? We take a hard but hopeful look at why works can’t heal what’s broken in us and how John 3 reframes belief as surrender, not sentiment. From Nicodemus’ questions to the shocking link between the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 and the cross, we trace the thread that runs through Scripture: He who knew no sin became sin for us so we could become new.

We dig into the difference between condemnation and conviction, and why Jesus came first to save, not to condemn. The light exposes, but it also heals. That’s why hiding never frees us, and why looking to the One lifted up changes everything. We unpack how trust moves from “I think this is true” to “I commit my life,” how the Spirit seals and empowers, and how new birth breaks the power of sin. Along the way, John the Baptist models a liberated heart: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Calling becomes gift, not grind. Joy replaces jealousy. Repentance turns from self-effort to the Savior who actually cures.

If theology has felt abstract, this conversation makes it tangible. You’ll hear how ancient signs point straight to Jesus, how faith reshapes identity and ambition, and how stepping into the light becomes the doorway to life. We close by lifting our eyes to Christ’s authority, the Father’s love, and the Spirit given without measure—real hope for real people who are done pretending and ready to live.

If this encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope today, and leave a review to help others find the message. Your voice helps us bring this good news to more ears.

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

What if the doorway to the kingdom opens not through striving, but through looking up? We walk with Nicodemus into a late-night conversation that reframes everything we thought about earning our way to God. Through vivid images of living water, the cleansing Word, and the wind of the Spirit, we unpack why rebirth is a gift only God can give—and how our part is to stop resisting and trust the One who gives it.

We start where many of us live: thirsty and trying harder. Jesus meets that thirst with himself, promising rivers of living water and revealing how Scripture’s cleansing flows through the Word made flesh. From the well of Samaria to the heart of Israel’s teacher, we connect the Old Testament promise to a New Testament reality: transformation is not self-improvement; it’s the Spirit’s work within. The conversation turns as we explore the shocking sign from Numbers 21: the bronze serpent lifted up in the wilderness. Jesus points to the cross as the true cure, becoming sin for us so that sin would lose its claim. Like heals like; the poison meets the antidote, and the bitten live.

Along the way we press into what “believe” really means in John: not mental nods, but commitment—placing our confidence in Christ because he placed himself on the cross for us. We reflect on salvation over condemnation, the Father’s love for the world, and the hope of a kingdom that looks like Jesus: healing, joy, peace, and life stronger than death. If you’ve been trying to fix yourself, or if faith feels abstract, this conversation brings it home with honesty, Scripture, and a clear path forward.

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Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

Ever tried to grind your way into grace? We’ve all felt the pull to treat faith like a performance, counting spiritual reps and expecting salvation as a medal at the finish line. Today we slow down with John 3 and sit beside Nicodemus—a respected teacher who saw Jesus’ miracles and still missed the heart of it—to hear why new birth is something only God can do.

We start with the tension everyone feels: effort matters in life, yet Jesus says, “You must be born again.” What does that mean? We unpack the much-debated phrase “born of water and the Spirit” by tracing how Scripture uses water as cleansing, healing, and life. From living water at the well to rivers flowing in John 7, and the washing of water by the word in Ephesians 5, we connect the dots: the Spirit applies the word to cleanse and renew, not as a ritual we control but as a gift we receive. Along the way, we clear up common assumptions about baptism, flesh out why moral effort can’t earn heaven, and highlight the simple, freeing response—don’t resist the Spirit’s work.

Nicodemus asks the question we all ask: How can these things be? We explore Jesus’ picture of the wind, the mystery and evidence of the Spirit’s movement, and the striking “we speak” that echoes both the Trinity’s unified witness and the prophets’ testimony. Every sign points forward to the cross, where the sinless Lamb does the ultimate work we could never do, opening the kingdom to those who come with empty hands and trusting hearts. We close by inviting you to keep your spiritual fervor and recover awe: stay near the word that washes, welcome the Spirit who renews, and walk with a community that keeps your heart warm.

If this conversation stirred something in you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find these teachings. Your story matters—what does being “born again” mean in your life?

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

What if the God who loves you is also the God who clears the clutter that keeps you from him? We walk from Cana’s first sign to the courts of the temple, where Jesus overturns tables and expectations alike. This isn’t about spectacle. It’s about zeal rooted in love—protective, purifying, and fiercely committed to making a way for ordinary people to meet with God.

We unpack the shift from a marketplace that once helped pilgrims to a machine that preyed on them, and why Jesus’ actions echo Psalm 69 and Isaiah 9. Then we dig into one of his most provocative claims: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it.” The crowd hears building talk; Jesus points to his body, his cross, and the resurrection as the definitive sign. If he didn’t rise, faith is wishful thinking. If he did, everything changes—worship, identity, and the very meaning of righteousness.

Along the way, we talk candidly about shallow belief and why Jesus didn’t “commit” himself to the crowds who were dazzled by signs. He knows what’s in us. Our best efforts can’t impress a holy God or repair the distance sin creates. But grace can. Through substitution and union with Christ—crucified with him, raised with him—we become living temples where God dwells and works. That’s why the cleansing of the temple is more than history; it’s a pattern for our hearts. He overturns what exploits and distracts, restores prayer to the center, and invites us to trust him enough to let him work through us.

Listen for a clear, scripture-rich journey through John’s Gospel that ties together zeal, signs, resurrection hope, and practical faith. If this sparks something in you, share the episode with a friend, subscribe for more teachings, and leave a review to help others find the message. What table is Jesus turning over in your heart today?

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

Scarcity at a small-town wedding becomes the doorway to a larger story of joy, holiness, and hope. We walk through John 2, where Jesus turns water into wine and then turns over tables, and we explore why both moments flow from the same heart: the Bridegroom who loves his people and clears the way to the Father. The line “My hour has not yet come” threads Cana to the cross, showing how signs point beyond themselves to a purpose that makes us clean, whole, and alive.

We start with Mary’s simple invitation—“They have no wine”—and the servants’ quiet obedience. Stone waterpots used for purification become vessels of abundance, a living picture of the washing of water by the word and the promise that the new covenant is better than what came before. From there, we connect Paul’s vision of marriage in Ephesians 5 to the scene at Cana: Christ gives himself to make his bride spotless, and the best wine appears at the end because the Messiah has arrived to fulfill the feast. This isn’t party magic; it’s covenant mercy.

Then the mood sharpens in the temple. What had been set up to help worshippers had turned into a barrier, crowding out prayer and exploiting seekers. Jesus’ zeal is a jealous love that protects communion with God. He doesn’t rage for show; he restores a house meant for all nations. Along the way, we reflect on Jesus as fully God and fully man—feeling the weight of the hour, choosing obedience, and revealing glory in signs that call forth faith.

If themes like spiritual renewal, the meaning of marriage, and authentic worship speak to you, press play and join the conversation. Share this with a friend who needs fresh hope, subscribe for more journeys through John, and leave a review with your biggest insight so others can find the show.

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

A schemer lays his head on a stone and wakes to a vision of heaven open. From that ancient night in Genesis 28 to a conversation under a fig tree in John, we trace how Jacob’s ladder points straight to Jesus—the living bridge who reconciles earth and heaven and invites us into a faith that actually changes how we live. Along the way, Pastor Carl challenges us with a piercing question: do you believe God, or do you only say that you believe God?

We walk through God’s covenant to Jacob, the transformation from Jacob to Israel, and the holy shift from fear to reverent awe at Bethel. We talk about the power of remembrance—why altars, communion, and simple markers guard our hearts from drift. The symbol of the almond tree opens a window on hope, renewal, and provision, reminding us that while the world feels unsteady, Christ remains our blessed hope and our solid ground. That hope moves us to speak: neighbors, barbers, teachers, friends—will they hear the gospel while we’re here to share it?

We get practical about conditional vows, tithing as stewardship, and the difference an eternal perspective makes when bank accounts shrink or doors close for standing with Jesus. Suffering is not wasted; it often becomes a stage for God’s glory. You’ll hear a moving story of pastoral courage in the face of brain cancer and a reminder that sometimes God heals now, and sometimes he heals in a better country. Either way, the prayer is the same: Lord, be glorified.

If you’re longing to trade anxious scheming for surrendered trust, to carry hope into hard places, and to see every circumstance as a chance to witness, this conversation will steady your steps. Listen, share with a friend who needs courage today, and if it speaks to you, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: where has God met you lately?

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

What if the God who spoke galaxies into being also sees you in your quiet place of prayer? We walk through John 1 from “In the beginning was the Word” to the moment Jesus tells Nathanael, “I saw you under the fig tree,” and the story turns from big theology to a personal encounter that changes everything. The shift is subtle but seismic: knowledge gives way to knowing, and repentance becomes a doorway into Spirit-empowered life.

We unpack how John the Baptist prepared people for the Messiah, why his water baptism pointed forward to Jesus’ baptism with the Holy Spirit, and how that difference fuels real change. You’ll meet Andrew, Simon, and Philip, and watch Jesus rename Simon to Peter—an identity anchored not in hustle but in revelation. The path from scheming to surrender is messy and familiar, and it’s exactly where grace does its best work. Skepticism shows up too. Nathanael’s jab at Nazareth becomes a masterclass in honest inquiry answered by a simple, disarming invitation: come and see.

From the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world to the promise of “greater things,” we follow the thread that ties heaven’s logic to everyday lives. Jesus hints at Jacob’s ladder and reveals himself as the true meeting place between God and humanity. That means your hidden prayers are heard, your work can be led by the Spirit, and your next step of faith is more than wishful thinking—it’s participation in a story where heaven touches earth. If you’ve grown numb or restless, this conversation might be the nudge back to trust, to wonder, and to inviting a friend to see for themselves.

If this resonates, share it with someone who needs hope, subscribe for more Bible-rich, practical messages, and leave a review to help others find the show. Your voice helps more people hear the invitation to come and see.

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

Hungry for joy that actually lasts? We explore how John 1 moves us from believing about God to truly knowing Jesus—and why that shift changes everything. Pastor Carl unpacks what it means to receive Him, become children of God, and experience the fullness of grace and truth that doesn’t run dry. Along the way, we confront common assumptions, like “everyone’s a child of God,” and clarify the difference between bearing God’s image and being adopted into His family through new birth.

We walk through the mystery and beauty of the Word made flesh—God stepping into His own creation so we could behold His glory up close. Truth isn’t an abstract idea; truth is a person who speaks, heals, and restores. Grace isn’t a vague kindness; it’s unmerited favor that meets us where we are and brings us home. From John’s firsthand testimony to the humility of John the Baptist, we see how the spotlight shifts to Jesus: the One who came after, yet was before; the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire; the One who reveals the Father and invites us into real fellowship.

You’ll hear why new birth isn’t earned by effort, heritage, or human will, but received by faith through the Spirit. You’ll also hear a clear, practical invitation: turn from self‑reliance and bring your sin to the Savior who gives His righteousness in return. If you’ve longed for a relationship that anchors your soul, this journey through John opens a fresh path—grace upon grace, truth that liberates, and joy that grows as you walk with Him.

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more verse‑by‑verse teaching, and leave a review so others can find the message. 

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

What if the breath in your lungs is more than biology—it’s a sign of a grace that preceded your first thought and outlasts your best effort? We open John 1 and dwell on the staggering claim that the Word who spoke creation into being is the same Jesus who walked among us, full of grace and truth. The Logos isn’t an abstract idea or secret knowledge; He is personal, eternal, and creative, and His light still presses into today’s darkness.

We follow the thread from Genesis and the Psalms to the prologue of John: God’s speech makes worlds, orders storms, and lights the path of the faithful. Pastor Carl shows how this light is not just information but illumination that changes lives—and why so many fail to grasp it. Enter John the Baptist, the witness who points away from himself, preparing hearts to receive the One who comes after yet existed before. His humility and courage recast what true ministry looks like: directional, costly, and clear.

From there we wrestle with a vital distinction: bearing God’s image grants human dignity, but becoming God’s children belongs to those who receive and believe in Jesus. The Word became flesh confronts both ancient Gnostic errors and modern detachment, revealing a Savior who weeps, confronts injustice, loves outcasts, and embodies truth as a living presence. Grace upon grace doesn’t erase the law; it fulfills it, welcoming us into a relationship where truth frees and grace sustains. Join us as we seek deeper fellowship with the One who made us, saves us, and still holds all things together.

If this conversation stirred your curiosity, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so others can find the show. 

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.

A roll call of names becomes a roadmap for modern faith. We close our journey through Romans by meeting the often-overlooked servants of chapter 16—people like Hermas, Julia, Jason, Tertius, and Erastus—whose ordinary obedience carried the gospel through homes, cities, and social barriers. Their stories show how grace gathers a diverse family and assigns real purpose to every role, from hosting a house church to writing a letter by hand.

Then comes Paul’s sharp, loving warning: watch out for those who divide and teach a message that bends away from Christ. Smooth words and flattering tones can sound spiritual while hollowing out the cross. We unpack how to practice biblical discernment without sliding into suspicion, how to walk patiently with teachable believers, and when to step away from voices that refuse correction. The key is simple and searching—become wise in what is good. Like a bank teller trained on genuine currency, we learn the real thing so well that counterfeits lose their charm.

Anchoring it all is the promise and power of God: the God of peace will crush Satan under our feet, and the grace of Jesus will establish us. We reflect on the final benediction, the revealed mystery of the gospel for all nations, and why eternity clarifies our choices now. If you’ve ever wondered how a church stays united, guards the non-negotiable gospel, and still practices warm affection within its culture, this conversation offers both conviction and comfort.

If this encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more verse‑by‑verse teaching, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Come On Up is the radio ministry of The Mountain Cross in Waynesville North Carolina. To learn more about us please visit: TheMountainCross.com.