I'll Be Honest

According to Romans 9, you might wonder why we should even evangelize. But if you keep reading into Romans 10, you see that God uses means and messengers — and that we must go and proclaim the gospel. People often overreact in two ways: either they think predestination makes evangelism pointless, or they fear evangelism denies God’s sovereignty. Both extremes miss how Scripture holds these truths together.

In this deeply personal interview, Pastor Mack Tomlinson recounts his year-long battle with spiritual darkness and chronic insomnia, how the Psalms became his lifeline, and the miraculous moment when God delivered him through a trusted friend’s counsel.

In this message Mack Tomlinson walks us through Psalm 73’s honest journey from envy and self-absorption back to a Christ-focused heart. You’ll see how comparing yourself to others feeds “me-ism,” why bitterness clouds your vision, and how a single shift in perspective—fixing your gaze on Christ—breaks the cycle and renews your strength.

In this two-part walk, Mr. O speaks gently to those weighed down by life’s sudden storms. Part 1 addresses the crushing feeling of being overwhelmed—when everything hits at once and you don’t know where to start. Part 2 explores those unexpected waves of discouragement that seem to come out of nowhere. If you've ever felt like giving up or like you're drowning in responsibilities, this quiet walk might be what your soul needs.

Why do fiery mornings with God so often fade into apathetic nights? In this honest dialogue, a young believer mourns a wasted evening while mentor Mr. O unmasks the devil’s quiet ambush and the prayer Jesus commands for daily defense.

In this first conversation from A Walk with Mr. O, Stuart Olyott responds to two deeply honest questions: “Why am I still sinning so much?” and “I want to be a better Christian, but I’m failing.” With warmth and clarity, Mr. O uses a simple illustration to show how growing awareness of sin is often a sign of drawing closer to Christ, not further away. He reminds us that our hope rests not in our progress, but in our Saviour’s perfect righteousness.

Q&A session from the 2025 Fellowship Conference with Stuart Olyott, Michael Durham, and Geoff Thomas. Topics include worship, emotions, sanctification, relationships, and more.

0:00 Introduction

6:28 How Can I Stir Up My Affection in Private and Corporate Worship?

13:21 The Role of Emotions and Feelings in the Christian Life

27:52 Two Essential Books for New Christians

30:05 How Do I Abide in Christ?

34:29 Why Some Questions Can't Be Answered Without More Context

36:20 Do Infants Die and Go to Heaven?

41:22 What Does It Mean to Be Unequally Yoked in a Relationship?

43:25 What Does Sanctification Really Mean?

49:12 How Can I Show Genuine Compassion?

55:08 What Does God Expect from Mothers?

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”—were first addressed to “Israel, my servant Jacob,” yet in Christ belong equally to “offspring of Abraham,” Jew and Gentile alike. My aim is to show you how to meditate on those five promises during your trials, hold fast to the confidence they provide, and trust that God truly remains present—strengthening, helping, and upholding you through every challenge.

In this preaching class Stuart Olyott shows that “preaching is not the most important thing” and that “being an example is much more important than preaching.” Drawing on 1 Timothy 4:11, 1 Peter 5, and Ephesians 2:14–17, he explains why the “sort of life you live” must precede your words, why “little Jesus’s” must speak from a heart-to-heart place, and how true preaching is “the exposition and application of the word of God.” By focusing on character, conscience, and clear, Christ-centered illustration rather than mere lecture, Olyott equips pastors to leave their congregations “longing” rather than “loathing” at the close of a sermon.

Even if everything else falls away, hold fast to this: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again—and in that simple, life-changing truth you stand saved. There is nothing in all creation more important than the gospel that brings us to Christ again and again.