Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis

Struggling with controlling your thoughts? The battle for the Christian life is the battle for the Christian mind. In this episode, we dive deep into Romans 12:1-2 and explore seven biblical principles for renewing your mind and experiencing true transformation.

This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. To join thousands living in Freedom with nothing to hide visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin.

**Use our unique code: DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family Plan**

Key Topics:

- Biblical mind renewal

- Overcoming sinful thoughts

- Neuroplasticity and Scripture

- Breaking free from worldly conformity

- Spirit-filled living

- Christian sanctification

- Fighting temptation

- The explosive power of greater affections

As a man thinks within himself, so he is (Proverbs 23:7). Learn how to practically renew your mind through Scripture meditation, rejecting lies, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Key Scriptures: Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:2, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 4:23

In this powerful conversation, apologist and author Alisa Childers discusses the dangers of progressive Christianity, how to respond to deconstruction, and why every Christian needs to be equipped to defend their faith.

This episode is sponsored by The Master's University. To learn more about how you can invest in a college education devoted to Christ & Scripture, visit: https://www.masters.edu

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• What is Progressive Christianity and how to identify it

• The three expressions of progressive theology (theological, cultural, political)

• How deconstruction is impacting young adults and families

• Why TikTok theology is undermining biblical truth

• The intellectual shallowness of modern church culture

• Practical apologetics tips for everyday Christians

• How parents can disciple their deconstructing children

• Why asking good questions is more important than having all the answers

KEY QUOTES: "I'll have moms come up to me and say, 'My young adult child is deconstructing... What's the best resource that I can give them?' And I always say, 'You're not going to like my answer. It's you.'"

"Progressive Christianity is the idea that Christianity itself is progressing... Christianity is always arriving but it never arrives."

"You don't have to be an apologist or theologian to engage with people. You just need to know how to ask a few good questions."

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• "Another Gospel" by Alisa Childers

• The Alisa Childers Podcast

• AlisaChilders.com

Perfect for: Christian parents, youth pastors, apologetics students, believers facing doubt, anyone concerned about progressive Christianity or deconstruction movements

Prior to Pastor John MacArthur going home to be with the Lord, Jonny Ardavanis sat down with Pastor John as he breaks down the biblical meaning of discipleship and why it's essential for every Christian. Jesus commanded us to "make disciples," not just converts—but what does that really mean?

Key Topics Covered:

• The true definition of a disciple (mathetes - a lifelong learner)

• Why discipleship is more than a prayer or church attendance

• How to build Christ-centered friendships that last a lifetime

• The difference between making converts and making disciples

• Practical steps to find someone to disciple you

• How to start discipling others in your church

Main Takeaways:

✓ Discipleship is a friendship with a spiritual core

✓ It involves teaching believers to observe all of Christ's commands

✓ True discipleship creates lifelong relationships and accountability

✓ Find someone who knows more than you AND someone who knows less

✓ The local church is essential for biblical discipleship

Pastor MacArthur emphasizes that discipleship isn't just a program—it's walking through life with someone, applying God's Word together, and creating deep spiritual friendships that accumulate over a lifetime.

Perfect for: Christians seeking spiritual growth, church leaders, small group leaders, new believers, and anyone wanting to understand the Great Commission better.

Are you truly fighting sin, or just "struggling" with it? In this powerful episode, we dive deep into Romans 8:13 and the biblical concept of mortification—putting sin to death through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. To join thousands living in Freedom with nothing to hide visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin.

**Use our unique code: DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family Plan**

KEY TOPICS COVERED:

• What it means to mortify sin (and why the language is so violent)

• The difference between struggling with sin vs. fighting sin

• How to identify areas where you're making provision for the flesh

• The role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification

• Why accountability is crucial (and what real accountability looks like)

• John Owen's classic teaching: "Be killing sin or sin will be killing you"

• Practical steps to wage war against temptation

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

• Romans 8:13 - Putting to death the deeds of the body

• Colossians 3:5 - Put to death what is earthly in you

• Galatians 5:24 - Crucifying the flesh with its passions

• Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart

This isn't about earning salvation through works—it's about living out the new identity Christ has given us. Every believer must engage in this daily battle until we meet Jesus face to face.

Remember: You take a day off from mortifying the flesh, the flesh grows.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• John Owen's "The Mortification of Sin"

• Accountable2You (accountability software) - Use code DIALIN for 25% off

Share your thoughts: What practical steps are you taking to fight sin in your life?

What does it mean to be "pure in heart" and why does Jesus promise that those who pursue purity will see God? In this powerful message on Matthew 5:8, we explore the radical promise of spiritual intimacy that comes through purity of heart.

In This Episode:

• Understanding what "blessed are the pure in heart" really means
• Why purity isn't restriction—it's the path to seeing God
• How singularity of heart leads to deeper intimacy with Christ
• The difference between positional and progressive purity
• Practical steps to pursue purity in your daily walk
• Why resisting sin shouldn't feel like holding your breath

Key Timestamps:

• The Nature of Purity (10:54)
• The Promise: They Shall See God (16:57)
• The Pursuit: 5 Practical Steps (24:20)

The world says purity is restrictive, but Jesus says it's the doorway to experiencing the nearness of God. This isn't just about sexual purity—it's about unmixed devotion, singularity of affection, and positioning your heart to truly know and see God.

Bible Verses Referenced: Matthew 5:8, Psalm 119, James 4:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Ezekiel 18:31, 1 John 3, Psalm 86, Proverbs 23:7, John 14:1

Practical Applications:

1. Draw near to God's Word
2. Walk with the wise
3. Make no provision for the flesh
4. Pray for purity
5. Think with total commitment to Christ

This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. To join thousands living in Freedom with nothing to hide visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin.

**Use our unique code: DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family Plan**

Is God sovereign in salvation, or is man responsible? This is one of the most asked questions in theology. In this episode, we dive into Scripture to answer whether Calvinism or Arminianism is correct.

We explore key passages like John 3, John 6, Romans 9-10, and Matthew 11 to show how God's sovereignty and human responsibility are both clearly taught in Scripture. You'll learn:

✅ What hyper-Calvinism gets wrong 

✅ Why human responsibility matters for evangelism 

✅ How election and "whosoever believes" work together 

✅ What an antinomy is (and why it's not a paradox) 

✅ How to answer "Am I one of the elect?"

Whether you're wrestling with predestination, struggling with evangelism, or just want to understand what the Bible actually teaches about salvation, this conversation will ground you in Scripture.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: John 3:3-7, 16 | John 6:37-47 | Romans 8:29-30 | Romans 9:15-18 | Romans 10:9-17 | Matthew 11:27-28 | Ephesians 1:4-11 | Ephesians 2:1-10

What does it mean to have biblical wisdom? In this episode, we dive deep into James 3:13-18 to explore the 8 characteristics of wisdom from above versus worldly wisdom.

📖 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

- The difference between godly wisdom and demonic wisdom

- 8 hallmarks of biblical wisdom: pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, full of good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy

- Why wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7)

- How to practically grow in biblical wisdom

- The role of humility and service in true wisdom

- Why wisdom is something we receive, not just achieve

🔑 KEY VERSES:

James 3:13-18 | Proverbs 1:7 | Colossians 2:2-3 | Matthew 7:24-27

⚡ 3 WAYS TO GROW IN WISDOM:

1. Come to know Christ personally

2. Study and apply God's Word

3. Pray for wisdom (James 1:5)

Biblical wisdom isn't just knowledge—it's skilled living that honors God. True wisdom is sincere, servant-hearted, and marked by integrity. Learn how to pursue this wisdom that comes from above!

📩 Subscribe for more biblical teaching on Christian living, wisdom literature, and practical theology.

This episode is sponsored by The Master's University. To learn more about how you can invest in a college education devoted to Christ & Scripture, visit https://www.masters.edu

What does it mean to fear God? And why is it essential for gaining biblical wisdom? In this episode, we dive deep into Proverbs 8 and explore the foundational principle that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

In this video, we discuss:

✓ What biblical wisdom really means (it's more than just knowledge)

✓ The true definition of fearing God and why it matters

✓ How the fear of the Lord transforms your daily life

✓ Practical steps to grow in godly wisdom

✓ Why wisdom is more valuable than wealth

✓ The difference between being afraid of God vs. fearing God

✓ How God's forgiveness leads to greater awe and reverence

Key Scripture References:

• Proverbs 8:1-11 - Wisdom calls out to you
• Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
• Proverbs 9:10 - Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
• Psalm 86:11 - Prayer for an undivided heart
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 - Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord

Whether you're facing difficult decisions, seeking direction, or wanting to live more faithfully, this conversation will help you understand why fearing God is the foundation for everything else in the Christian life.

What is biblical courage and why does God command it? In this episode, we explore one of the most overlooked commands in Scripture: "Be strong and courageous."

When Moses died, Joshua faced an impossible task—leading Israel into the Promised Land without their greatest leader. God's response? A repeated command to be courageous. This isn't just ancient history—it's a blueprint for Christian living today.

In this video, you'll discover:

• The biblical definition of courage (it's not what you think)
• Why courage is a command, not just a personality trait
• How God equipped Joshua to defeat 31 kings
• The two ingredients for living courageously as a Christian
• Why courage requires community, not isolation
• How to overcome fear through God's Word and His presence

KEY SCRIPTURE: Joshua 1:6-9, Deuteronomy 31, Matthew 28:20

Courage in the Bible isn't the absence of fear—it's obedience to God despite fear. Whether you're facing spiritual battles, living with conviction in a compromised world, or sharing the Gospel, God calls every Christian to spirit-filled courage.

Are you making the most of the time God has given you? In this episode, we dive deep into Ephesians 5:15-16 and explore what it means to "redeem the time" as followers of Christ.

Key Topics Covered:

• What does "redeeming time" really mean in Scripture

• Why time is your most precious commodity

• 5 biblical reasons you need to redeem your time NOW

• 7 practical ways to steward your time wisely

• The difference between rest and wasting time

• How to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."

Practical Takeaways:

• Limit screen time (average person spends 7 hours/day on screens!)

• Create a daily schedule

• Learn to say no to good things for the best things

• Build godly discipline and rhythm into your life

• Practice biblical rest

The average person will spend 6.5 years of the next 20 years looking at screens. What if you could redeem that time for God's glory? Your time is short, uncertain, and once it's gone, it's gone forever. Learn how to steward it wisely.

Subscribe for more biblical teaching and practical discipleship content!