Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church! In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to explore one of Jesus’ most well-known parables—the Parable of the Sower.This powerful teaching, recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels, comes with a direct explanation from Jesus Himself. But why did Jesus speak in parables? Was it an act of judgment or mercy? And what does this parable reveal about the condition of our hearts?📖 Key Topics in This Episode:Why did Jesus use parables to reveal (and conceal) the secrets of the Kingdom? (Matthew 13:11–13)Understanding the meaning behind the four types of soil:🌱 The Path – A hardened heart where the Word is snatched away.🌱 The Rocky Ground – A shallow response that withers under trials.🌱 The Thorns – A distracted heart choked by worldly cares.🌱 The Good Soil – A fruitful heart that truly understands and bears lasting fruit.Are the first three soils describing unbelievers? What about those who struggle with worries and riches?How does this parable challenge us in self-examination and evangelism?🔍 Listener Question: Does the "good soil" describe the elect?Join the conversation as we unpack these deep truths and consider how we can cultivate hearts that truly receive and bear fruit for God’s kingdom.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to help spread biblical teaching!#ParableOfTheSower #JesusParables #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #FocusedOnChrist

What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Is it really unforgivable are we able to do it today? In this episode, Dr. Jeff Scott joins Mike for a conversation on Jesus' words in Mark 3. If you've every wondered whether you should be concerned about blaspheming the Holy Spirit this episode may help provide clarity and comfort. #holyspirit #blasphemous #satan #devil #spirituality #demons

In Matthew 7 Jesus says that we should "judge not lest we be judged" but what does that mean in the context of the Sermon on the Mount? Is Jesus teaching that we are never to make a judgement call or comment on sinful behavior? In this episode, Mike and Nathan unpack Matthew 7 in order to understand this important teaching of Jesus.

Show Notes: https://focusedonchrist.com/ep-119-judge-not-lest-you-be-judged/

#podcast #judgement #jesus #judgenot #love #hypocrites

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike and Nathan walk through the beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. What was the purpose of this sermon and what in the world is a beatitude? Are these rules to govern our lives or a description of what it looks like to follow Jesus? Sermon Outline: https://gamma.app/docs/Jesus-Bears-His-Fathers-Name-27b1vpta3d0un8y/preview

Is there a promise that all those who are in Christ will be healed? The answer is a resounding "yes" but the timing and context of that healing may be different than we think. In this reflection, Pastor Mike looks at Paul's encouragement from 2 Corinthians 4 & 5. We can be honest with out illnesses and struggles while at the same time finding hope in what is to come. #healing #miracle #jesus #hope #healing #overcome

Why was healing an important part of Jesus ministry? Was he simply desiring to show kindness or is there something more? In this episode Mike is joined by Dr. Jeff Scott, who is the Pastor of Biblical and Theological Resourcing at Heritage Baptist Church. They discuss 3 instances of healings from the Gospels in order to understand better the nature of Jesus and His plan of redemption. #healing #health #leprosy #jesus #miracles #gospels

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How should we approach some of the difficult passages of scriptures that confuse our understanding of the Godhead? In this Weekend Reflection, Mike points to the necessity of humility when approach these passages. When we examine our sinful corruption and God's perfect holiness we are better able to trust in His purposes - even we don't fully understand them.#faith #jesus #struggle #yahweh #bible #revelation #humility

Is there really a difference between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament? How do we reconcile some of the difficulty realities of stonings, conquest, and polygomy spoken about in the Hebrew Scriptures? In this episode, Pastor Joshua Hankins joins Mike for a discussion on this often misunderstood topic. #oldtestament #yahweh #lawofmoses #polygamy #jesus #focusedonchrist

Welcome to a new segment title, Weekend Reflections. Earlier this week Pastor Nathan and Mike revisited an episode on online convtroversies. In this weekend's reflection Mike looks at Romans 12 and the book of Jude for some biblical insight into how we are to engage people online who may be orthodox in their doctrine yet have a diffferent way of applying that doctrine to cultural issues. #focusedonchrist #relationships #church #orthodox #doctrine #argument

In this revisted episode, Pastor Nathan and Mike discuss online controversies that are connected to comments made last week about a theology of space. How do we make room for the transcendent in a culture of the common? Also, we look at the question of attending a gay wedding and how we can interact with those with a different stance on applied theology. #focusedonchrist #wedding #coffee #theology #gentleness #jesus