Focused on Christ

Discover the fascinating story behind Jesus's family tree and the events leading to His birth. From Abraham to David, explore how God worked through both saints and sinners to bring about His perfect plan.

In our first show of the new year we open up the mailbag and cover some questions sent in last year. One listener asks if it's possible for those apart from Jesus to experience a life of happiness? Other questions include whether a mega church is biblical and whether cremation is a sin. The answers to these questions may surprise you!

Explore the profound lessons from the letters to the churches in Sardis and Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation. Discover the true relationship between faith and works, and understand the dangers of spiritual complacency. Sardis, a wealthy city, had a church that appeared alive but was spiritually dead, highlighting the need for genuine faith and repentance. Philadelphia, though weary, was commended for its faithfulness and endurance, with promises of eternal rewards. Learn how to examine your motivations, return to the Gospel, and hold fast to your faith.

The Church of Thyatira, located in a commercial hub, faced challenges from various religious influences. Jesus commends their love, faith, and endurance but condemns their tolerance of false teachings led by a prophetess called Jezebel. The message emphasizes the importance of adhering to biblical guidelines, the call to repentance, and the promise of reward for those who remain faithful. Reflect on areas where you may be tolerating sin and commit to upholding biblical standards.

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike and Nathan look at the letters to the churches in Smyrna and Pergamum who both dealt with persecution. What role does persecution play in the local church? What happens when persecution leads to compromise in the church?

In Revelation 2-3 Jesus Himself speaks to the churches. This message to specific, historic churches rings through the ages to the churches today. How are we to understand these messages to the churches?

Now that the election is complete and the next administration is returning in 2025, we thought it may be helpful to remind ourselves of God's sovereignty over the nations. Last year Pastors Mike and Nathan had a conversation about the prophecies of Daniel and how God's revelation about future nations bring us great comfort and hope.

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastors Mike and Nathan explore eight humanistic errors that have subtly infiltrated the church, impacting faith and community. Continuing a conversation from the previous episode, they examine the concept of individual autonomy, highlighting its potential to lead to moral decay and a life devoid of true spiritual guidance. They also addresses the flawed idea of being 'spiritual but not religious,' emphasizing the biblical importance of community for mutual support and growth. Furthermore, they contrasts the pursuit of happiness with the pursuit of holiness, explaining that true joy is a byproduct of a holy life and a relationship with God. Lastly, they clarify the Christian perspective on enlightenment and truth, asserting that Christians are not anti-science and that truth is revealed through Scripture and the natural world.

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith delve into how Christians should approach content from questionable or theologically problematic sources. They emphasize the importance of #discernment and personal #conviction when consuming #christian media, urging believers to evaluate content based on its alignment with Scripture.

Discussion Questions