Episode 14.  Happy New Year!  In this episode, we look back on 2023 and celebrate some of the good things that happened this year in three spheres - culturally, in the life of our church, and personally. In addition, we mention some of the resources that have been most helpful for us over the past year. 

Recommended Resources

Pastor Zach's Recommendations:

• Bible Talk Podcast

Andrea's Recommendations:

• Ministry Wives Podcast

Episode 13. Merry Christmas!  In this special Christmas episode, we have some fun talking about why Christmas is special for us and what makes it extra special for followers of Christ. 

Fun Questions:

• What is your favorite Christmas tradition in your family?

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - Meredith Andrews

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Episode 12. Why does the New Testament start with a genealogy? Why is this important for the story of Christmas?

• Matthew 1

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

This episode is a Theology Talk on the “missional.”  What does it mean to be missional as a Christian? What does it mean to live on mission?

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "How should Christians handle Santa Claus?"

Scripture references:  Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-18

Recommended resources:

1. "Saint Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus" by Stephen Nichols.

2. Advent Blocks/The King Is Coming

3. Luke 2:1-20

Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

In this episode, we are following up with some questions from Sunday's sermon from November 26, 2023 - Mark 5:21-43, Christ's Authority Over Disease and Death.  www.machiasvalley.org/sermons

Sermon Follow Up Questions/Thoughts:

1. Why did Jesus ask who touched Him? Doesn't He know everything?

2. The desperation of Jairus.

3. The doctrine of the intercession of Christ.

4. Song: Before the Throne of God Above

Recommendations:

• Essential Christianity by J.D. Greear

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

In this episode, we answer the question: “Is there a way to balance what Jesus says about not caring what people think of His teaching and not being unnecessarily offensive? What would the common principles be?”

Scripture references:  Ezekiel 34:1-6; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

In this episode, we answer the question, "How do I love my spouse when I don't love him?" 

• The purpose of marriage

Recommended Resources:

1. The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller

Got questions? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will answer in a future episode.

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

In this episode, we are following up with some questions from Sunday's sermon from October 22, 2023 - Mark 5:1-20, Satanic Swine and the Merciful Son.  www.machiasvalley.org/sermons

Sermon Follow Up Questions:

1.  Are there two demon possessed men or one? Matthew’s account indicates that there were two, but Luke and Mark only talk about one.  Is this a discrepancy in Scripture?

2.  In the text, the demon asks Jesus if he is there to torment him. Is that true? What does that mean?

3.  Despite all of our “sidebar” questions that we may or may not have answers for, what is the main point of the passage? What is a good application question for us to think about?

Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

This episode is a Theology Talk on the “gospel.”  What does the word gospel mean? How do we explain the gospel?

• Greek word is “euaggelion” which means “good news”

A summary of the gospel can be found on our website at https://www.machiasvalley.org/the-gospel

Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

www.machiasvalley.org/leadership