Join Jonathan as he discusses what it means to be Southern Baptist. Jonathan attended the Annual Meeting in Orlando this year and in this episode he talks about what it means to be Southern Baptist, why we cooperate, and what the greatest issue is in the world today.

In today's sermon, Happy Birthday America, Pastor Mark turns our attention to one of the most familiar and often-quoted verses in Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14. While this passage contains a powerful promise from God, Pastor Mark reminds us that it is fundamentally an "if/then" statement—a promise that includes both conditions and blessings.

Through this message, we are challenged to examine the response God calls His people to make:

Humble ourselves before Him.

Pray with sincerity and dependence.

Seek God's face above all else.

Turn from our wicked ways and change how we live.

Pastor Mark emphasizes that when God's people respond in obedience and seek Him according to His will, God promises to hear, forgive, and heal.

This sermon is a timely reminder that spiritual renewal does not begin in governments or cultural movements—it begins in the hearts of God's people. As we reflect on God's faithfulness, may we recommit ourselves to humility, prayer, repentance, and wholehearted devotion to Him.

Listen in and be challenged to seek God with your whole heart and trust His promises.

Text: 1 Chronicles 13:1–14

In today's sermon, Ox Cart Christianity, Pastor Mark takes us to the sobering account of David's attempt to bring the Ark of the the Covenant to Jerusalem. While David's intentions were good, his decision to take a shortcut instead of following God's instructions led to tragic consequences.

Through this powerful passage, Pastor Mark reminds us that we are often more like David than we would care to admit. We can be guilty of taking spiritual shortcuts when:

We ask others what we should do instead of first seeking God.

We try to balance what people want with what God wants.

We fail to carefully follow the details of God's Word.

We blame God for the consequences of our own disobedience and shortcomings.

This message challenges us to examine our own lives and ask whether we are trusting God's way or attempting to accomplish God's purposes on our own terms. Good intentions are never a substitute for obedience.

Listen in and be reminded that God does not call us to take shortcuts—He calls us to trust Him fully, obey Him completely, and follow Him faithfully in all things.

Pastor Mark takes us to the book of Joshua as we look at leaving a legacy.

In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon step directly into one of the fastest ways to start a church argument: music styles in worship.

Should church music be traditional? Contemporary? Hymns only? Full band? Choir and orchestra? Acoustic? Loud? Quiet? And perhaps the biggest question of all: does the Bible actually command one specific style of music for the church?

With a few spicy hot takes and some honest pushback against personal preferences disguised as biblical mandates, the guys discuss what Scripture does clearly command—namely that believers are to worship, sing, and glorify God together. At the same time, they challenge listeners to be careful not to elevate cultural tastes and personal opinions to the level of divine instruction.

Because while singing praises to God is absolutely in the Bible…

the commandment, “Thou shalt use only this musical style”?

Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

10 Key Bible Verses on Singing Article

In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon tackle a question that has quietly shaped modern church culture: Is worship just music?

When people say, “We’re going to worship,” do they simply mean the singing portion of the service? Or does the Bible describe worship as something much bigger than a Sunday morning list of songs? The sermon? Offering? Greeting time?

With some strong opinions, a few hot takes, and probably at least one moment that will make both worship leaders and church members slightly uncomfortable, the guys unpack what worship actually is—and what it is not. They discuss whether worship only happens on Sundays, what Scripture teaches about living a life of worship, and even look at what Jesus Himself said about worship.

Along the way, they challenge some common church language and remind listeners that while music is absolutely a component of worship, worship is ultimately about surrender, obedience, and glorifying God with your entire life.

Because while singing is definitely in the Bible…
reducing worship to only singing on Sunday mornings, but only verses 1,2, and 4?

Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

We messed up this episode from a few weeks ago by posting the wrong recording. We have corrected the original episode, but decided to re-release it as a new episode as well. Enjoy!

In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon take on a phrase we all use—and misuse—far more than we’d like to admit: “the church.”

Is the church a place you go… or a people you belong to?

With some strong takes (and a few self-inflicted callouts), the guys unpack what the Bible actually teaches about the church—and what it clearly does not. Along the way, they confess just how often even they slip into calling a building “the church”… sometimes even on this very podcast.

This episode highlights why words matter. When we get the language wrong, we can start to think about church incorrectly—shrinking it down to a location instead of living it out as a mission. Jonathan and Brandon challenge listeners to rethink their assumptions and recover a biblical understanding of the church as the people of God, called to live on mission together.

Because while buildings are useful…calling them “the church”?

Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

In today’s sermon, The Faith Test, Pastor Mark takes us into the opening chapter of James and one of the most challenging commands in Scripture: to count it all joy when we face trials of various kinds.

Drawing from James 1:2–4, Pastor Mark reminds us that spiritual maturity is not developed in comfort, but in trials and testing. God uses difficult seasons to strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence on Him, and shape us into the people He desires us to be.

This message highlights three key areas through which God often tests and grows our faith:

Difficulties – How do we respond when life doesn't go according to plan?

Demands – How do we handle the commands give to us by God in Scripture?

Dollars – What does our stewardship of money reveal about our trust in God?

Through every trial, God is at work producing perseverance and maturity in His people. The testing of our faith is never wasted when it is surrendered to Him.

Listen in and be encouraged to trust God in the midst of life's challenges, knowing that He is using every test to strengthen your faith and make you more like Christ.

In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon step directly into one of the most opinionated areas of church culture: what should people wear to church on Sundays?

Should Christians wear their “Sunday best”? Are suits and ties more honoring to God? Is casual clothing disrespectful? And at what point do our personal preferences quietly become unwritten church rules?

With plenty of spicy hot takes, honest conversation, and probably at least one accidental offense to everybody listening, the guys unpack the difference between biblical principles, cultural expectations, and church tradition. They discuss modesty, reverence, motives of the heart, and why churches across different cultures and generations often approach this topic so differently.

Most importantly, the episode reminds listeners that while God certainly cares about our hearts, many times we become far more focused on outward appearance than Scripture actually does.

Because while clothing is definitely in the Bible… the official dress code for Sunday morning worship? Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

In today’s sermon, The Cost of Following, Pastor Mark walks through Luke 9:51–62 and Jesus’ challenging call to true discipleship. As Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem, He makes it clear that following Him is not casual, convenient, or comfortable—it requires surrender and sacrifice.

Through this passage, we are reminded that discipleship demands that Jesus become the highest priority in every area of life. Pastor Mark highlights three powerful lessons from the text:

Jesus must have priority over our possessions

Jesus must have priority over our plans

Jesus must have priority over our past

This message challenges us to examine whether we are truly following Christ wholeheartedly or simply fitting Him into the margins of our lives. Following Jesus may require radical sacrifice, but it is always worth it.

Listen in and be encouraged to lay aside distractions, trust Christ fully, and count the cost of genuine discipleship.