Donelson First Podcast

What does it really mean to be saved? Is Jesus truly the only way to heaven? If Christianity is true, does that mean every other religion is wrong? And perhaps most personally: Can you lose your salvation?

In Part 9 of May I Ask A Question... Again?, Pastor Jeffrey tackles some of the most important and deeply personal questions surrounding salvation, faith, other religions, and eternal security.

He begins with Jesus' unmistakable declaration in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." From there, he explores what Christianity means when it claims that salvation is found in Christ alone, how Christians can engage respectfully with people of other faiths, and why recognizing truth in another worldview does not mean affirming that worldview as a whole.

But the heart of this episode is the question: Can a genuinely saved person lose their salvation?

Looking at the fullness of Scripture, Jeffrey examines five biblical truths concerning the believer's eternal security: salvation is God's work, Jesus promises that His sheep will never perish, nothing can separate us from Christ, the Holy Spirit seals believers for the day of redemption, and eternal life truly is eternal.

Additionally, part 9 also wrestles honestly with the difficult passages about falling away and considering what Scripture says about those who appear to follow Christ but ultimately walk away.

This is not merely an academic theological discussion. How you understand salvation shapes how you understand grace, the cross, the character of God, and whether you live your Christian life in assurance or constant fear.

Join us as we ask some of the biggest questions of all - and look to Scripture for the answers.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 9: Salvation - The Only Way to Heaven

August 23, 2026

Hell may be one of the most difficult, uncomfortable, and often avoided doctrines in all of Christianity. But if we are going to take seriously what Jesus said about heaven, we must also take seriously what He said about hell. As this message reminds us, "What you believe about the eternal determines how you live today."

In Part 8 of May I Ask a Question… Again?, Senior Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith confronts some of the hardest questions surrounding eternal judgment: Is hell real? If God is loving, why does hell exist? Why did Jesus speak about hell so often? Why does Scripture describe hell with fire and darkness? And ultimately, what makes hell so terrible?

This message is not intended to produce fear for fear's sake or to cause Christians to celebrate judgment. Instead, it reveals how the reality of judgment magnifies the extraordinary beauty of the Gospel. The more clearly we understand what Jesus came to save us from, the more deeply we understand what He came to save us for - forgiveness, reconciliation, eternal life, the presence of God, and heaven.

Hell should never make the Church cold toward those who are far from God. It should break our hearts for them. If hell is real, our neighbors matter. Our enemies matter. Evangelism matters. And the Gospel becomes extraordinarily urgent.

The Jesus who loves us enough to promise heaven is the same Jesus who loves us enough to warn us about hell.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 8 - The Hardest Doctrine - A Study on Hell

August 16, 2026

What if heaven is not just something to look forward to someday - but something that should completely transform the way you live today?

In Part 7 of May I Ask a Question... Again?, Senior Pastor Jeffrey Smith explores one of life's greatest realities: eternity. Discover why the Bible repeatedly calls believers to set their minds on heaven, how an eternal perspective changes the way we face suffering, temptation, generosity, and obedience, what Scripture teaches about eternal rewards, and why every ordinary act of faithfulness carries eternal significance.

This message is both deeply encouraging and deeply convicting, reminding you that you are not simply preparing to die - you are learning how to truly live.

Because what you believe about eternity determines how you live today.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 7 - Living Forever

August 09, 2026

What happens in the first five minutes after you die?

It is one of humanity's oldest - and most important - questions. While the world offers endless opinions, only one Person has conquered death and returned to tell us what lies beyond it: Jesus Christ.

In Part 6 of our May I Ask a Question… Again series, Pastor Jeffrey Smith opens Scripture to answer some of the most profound questions people ask about eternity:

• What happens the moment after you die? • What will heaven actually be like? • Will we recognize our loved ones? • Will there be animals in heaven? • What will it be like to see Jesus face to face?

Discover the biblical hope that death is not the end for those who belong to Christ. Learn why believers can face eternity with confidence, what Scripture reveals about heaven, and why the greatest joy awaiting every Christian is not streets of gold, but standing forever in the presence of Jesus Christ.

If you have ever wondered what comes after your final breath, this message will challenge your thinking, strengthen your faith, and remind you that because Jesus lives, those who trust in Him will live also.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 6 - The First Five Minutes After Forever

August 02, 2026

Does God still speak today? If so, how can we recognize His voice?

In Part 5 of our May I Ask a Question... Again? series, Pastor Jeffrey Smith explores one of the most important questions every believer must answer: How does the Shepherd speak, and how do His sheep learn to hear Him? Drawing from John 10, John 17, 2 Kings 22, and the Psalms, this message reminds us that God is not silent - He has already spoken through His Word, He continues to guide His people through His Spirit, and He invites us into a relationship of growing intimacy with Him.

Pastor Jeffrey also addresses one of the greatest struggles in the Christian life: those seasons when God seems silent. Discover why God's silence is never His absence, how waiting often becomes God's greatest classroom, and why some of His deepest work happens when we cannot yet see His hand.

If you have ever wondered:

• Does God still speak today?
• How can I know when God is leading me?
• Why does God sometimes seem silent?
• What keeps me from hearing His voice?

...this message will encourage you to stop chasing another word from God and instead rediscover the wonder of the Word He has already given.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 5 - How to Hear God

July 26, 2026

Have you ever prayed, "God, I just need to hear from You"? Whether you are facing a difficult decision, carrying a heavy burden, or simply longing to know God's will, you are not alone. In Part 5 of May I Ask a Question... Again?, Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith begins a two-week focus on one of the most important questions every believer asks: Does God still speak today?

Drawing from John 10, this message reveals that God is not silent - He is a loving Shepherd whose sheep can recognize His voice. Discover why hearing God is not about mastering a technique but cultivating a relationship with Christ, how God primarily speaks through His Word illuminated by the Holy Spirit, and five biblical questions that help discern whether what you are hearing is truly from the Lord.

If you have ever wondered how to recognize God's voice, avoid confusing your own thoughts with His leading, or confidently follow His direction, this message will encourage you to know the Shepherd more deeply and trust His faithful guidance.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 4 - The Shepherd's Voice

July 19, 2026

The abundant life Jesus promised isn't lived by accident—it's lived with purpose. In this message, we discover that every believer is engaged in a spiritual battle and that our enemy's goal is to keep us from experiencing the fullness of life Christ offers. Through Scripture, we'll explore how to recognize the lies of the enemy, stand firm in our identity in Christ, and drink deeply from four life-giving streams: discipleship, the counsel of the Holy Spirit, healing, and spiritual warfare. Learn how God equips His people not just to survive, but to live fully alive in Him.

Wesley Meyer

Donelson First

Part 5 - The Spirit Filled Life (Part 2)

July 12, 2026

Many Christians know they're saved but still feel spiritually stuck. In this message, we explore Jesus' promise of the abundant life found in John 10:10 and discover that following Christ is about more than simply securing eternity - it's about experiencing true life today. Learn two foundational truths that will help you see the world through a spiritual lens and embrace your identity in Christ as you begin living the full, Spirit-filled life He offers.

Wesley Meyer

Donelson First

Part 4 - The Spirit Filled Life (Part 1)

July 5, 2026

Have you ever prayed with all your heart... only to be met with silence? In Part 3 of the May I Ask a Question... Again? series, "The Silence of God," we wrestle with one of the hardest questions every believer eventually faces:

What do you do when God seems silent? Through the honest words of Psalm 13 and the testimony of Scripture, we discover that God's silence is not evidence of His absence. Together, we'll explore why some prayers seem delayed, what can hinder our prayers, how to wait faithfully, and why prayer still matters even when God already knows the outcome. If you have ever wondered whether God hears you, whether your prayers make a difference, or how to trust Him when heaven feels quiet, this message offers biblical hope and encouragement for the journey.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 3 - The Silence of God

June 28, 2026

Why does God allow suffering? Why do prayers sometimes go unanswered? And how do you trust God when life doesn't make sense? In Part 2 of May I Ask A Question... Again?, Senior Pastor Jeffrey Smith tackles some of the most difficult questions believers face. Through stories from Scripture—including Joseph, Paul, Job, and Jesus— you discover that suffering is rarely simple, God's purposes are often bigger than your understanding, and His presence is more valuable than the answers you seek. This episode explores how to navigate pain, unanswered questions, and seasons of confusion while learning to trust God's character even when His ways seem impossible to understand. When understanding runs out, faith begins—and the cross reminds you that God is often doing His greatest work when it appears He is doing His least.

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Part 2 - When God Does Not Make Sense

June 21, 2026