Focused on Christ

In this mailbag episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith answer listener questions covering a variety of theological and practical topics.

They discuss why foot washing is viewed as an illustrative act rather than a church ordinance or sacrament, the biblical timeline and theological implications regarding the age of the Earth, historical and practical perspectives on children attending main worship services, and whether paid ministry staff still count as serving the Lord.

Ep. 175: Marriage, Divorce & Singleness (Part 2)

In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith conclude their two-part study of 1 Corinthians 7. They discuss why it can be difficult for Christians to talk openly and reverently about sexuality, how believers should understand God's providential placement in their lives (whether single or married), and what Paul's teachings on status, freedom, and undivided devotion mean for Christians today.

Ep 174: Marriage, Divorce, and SinglenessIn this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith begin a two-part study on 1 Corinthians 7, addressing the church's questions about sex, marriage, divorce, and singleness.

They unpack the biblical view of sex as a God-given gift reserved strictly for covenant marriage, address common fears around marital duties and single life, and offer practical, gospel-centered wisdom for navigating complex relational dynamics—including marriage to an unbelieving spouse.

Ep 174: Should I Sue my Brother in Christ?

In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith examine 1 Corinthians 6 to unpack Paul's instructions regarding lawsuits among believers. They discuss how internal church discipline relates to civil legal matters, why believers should settle grievances within the church rather than before secular courts, and how the reality of the gospel reshapes our understanding of personal rights, forgiveness, and glorifying God with our bodies.

Ep 172 - Sexual Immorality in the ChurchIn this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith walk through 1 Corinthians 5 to examine Paul's direct confrontation of sexual immorality within the church. They discuss how the church must hold a tension between confronting the destructive nature of sin and extending grace to those struggling, the biblical context for God-given gifts like sexuality, and what it truly means to exercise church discipline and practice bold, loving truth over mere "niceness."

Ep 171: What are the Mysteries of God? | Focused on ChristHosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into 1 Corinthians 4 to explore what Paul means by "the mysteries of God" and how church leaders are called to steward them. They discuss human intrigue with the unknown, counteracting pride through the Gospel, and the posture of biblical stewardship.

Is Carnal Christianity a Thing? | Focused on Christ Ep. 170

In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith walk through 1 Corinthians Chapter 3. Together, they tackle the difficult questions surrounding church division, spiritual maturity, and the true role of pastors and leaders within the body of Christ. When is it appropriate to leave a church, and how should it be handled?

What is the difference between an embattled Christian wrestling with the flesh versus someone living a lifestyle of carnal Christianity? Join the conversation as Mike and Nathan break down Paul's contrast of spiritual milk versus solid food, warn against the dangers of leader worship, and examine what it means to build your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ using gold, silver, and precious stones rather than fleshly wood, hay, and stubble.

Join Pastor Nathan and Mike as they open up 1 Corinthians 2 to discuss the foundational message of the church. What did Paul mean when he said he "decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." Does that mean we can't teach anything else? How does that correspond to instructing the church about marriage, family, work, government, etc?

Summer is coming to a close, and host Mike Crump is back in the studio with Dr. Nathan Smith! After sharing a few summer updates—including a wild story about battling elephants before church in East Africa—Mike and Nathan jump into a brand-new study on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

Why are Paul's epistles so vital for the Christian life? In this episode, we explore the background of the church in Corinth, the danger of church division and tribalism, and why the "foolishness" of the cross is actually the power and wisdom of God.

Welcome to Focused on Christ, a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church. In this episode, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the final chapters of the Book of Romans (Chapters 15 and 16) to explore powerful themes of Christian unity, humility, and the global proclamation of the Gospel.

As they wrap up their study before taking a summer break, Mike and Nathan unpack what it truly means for the "strong" to bear with the weak, how God uses personal relationships to spread His message, and the powerful hope found in Paul's closing doxology.

• True Strength is Humility: Following Christ's example means giving up our own rights for the sake of others.

• The Medium is the Person: God didn't just write His message in the sky; He embodies it through personal relationships and flesh-and-blood messengers.

• A Call to Harmony: Christian unity isn't just about getting along—it reflects the very nature and goodness of God to a fractured world.