Living The Message

Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Is it OK to tell white lies or speak in a way that’s “truth-y” without being fully honest? 

In this conversation, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss how to become people with hearts full of integrity. When Jesus speaks about avoiding oaths and simply saying “yes” or “no,” He’s really getting at the issue of our hearts. We are naturally people who seek to manipulate others for our own self-interest. If we are to become people of integrity, we need a new heart that only Jesus can give us.  

Pastor Philip also answers several of your questions from the sermon: 

• How do should you respond to questions like, "does this outfit make me look fat?" 
• What do you do when a work environment asks you to manipulate the truth for advantage? 
• Is there ever a time when you shouldn’t tell someone the truth? 
• Does everyone deserve the truth?

These kinds of situations are complex and nuanced, but ultimately they reveal something about the orientation of our hearts. When facing these difficult questions, ask yourself: what is the price you’re willing to pay for your integrity?

To watch the sermon for this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/v96P3E_b9jw 

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

Marriage difficulties are common inside and outside the church. How do we heal a hurting message?

In this two-part discussion, Pastors Philip and Eric address your questions on marriage and then lay out the steps you can take to heal a broken marriage.

Section 1--Questions from listeners

1. Can you leave an abusive marriage? (5:40)
2. Under what circumstances can a marriage be annulled? (13:40)
3. Is it permissible to divorce your spouse if they have a disease like Alzheimer’s? (15:45)
4. When could you remarry if you are previously divorced? (17:55)

Section 2--Steps to healing a hurting marriage (20:48)

1. What if you come from a family where divorce is common? How do you break the cycle? Get a new marriage template.
2. If you and your spouse are constantly fighting, what should you do? Seek to understand your partner’s needs and develop a curiosity for your spouse.
3. Is there any coming back from infidelity? How can a person learn to trust their spouse again? Work to rebuild trust.
4. What is some advice you might give for those who want a healthier marriage?
   • Put Christ at the center of your marriage.
   • Tend your heart before the Lord
   • Prioritize communication skills and listen well to one another
   • Serve one another in love

Additional recommended resources:

• "The Meaning of Marriage" by Tim Keller: https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Marriage-Facing-Complexities-Commitment/dp/1594631875/
• "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Marriage-What-Designed-Happy/dp/0310337372/
• "The Mingling of Souls" by Matt Chandler: https://www.amazon.com/Mingling-Souls-Design-Marriage-Redemption/dp/1434706869/
• "You and Me Forever" by Francis Chan: https://www.amazon.com/You-Me-Forever-Marriage-Eternity/dp/0990351408/

 Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

Our world is saturated with avenues to lust. The prevalence of pornography usage and sex addiction are major problems for men and women both inside and outside the church. Is there a way out?

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss how we can be freed from the constant struggle of lust. Have you ever felt trapped in an endless cycle of sin that you cannot break? When we lust, we’re trying to meet deep spiritual needs for security, significance, and satisfaction. The righteousness that God requires in this area is something that we cannot manufacture on our own. We need a new heart through the gospel message, which is that Jesus is our righteousness and the only one who can produce true heart transformation. So how do we get there?

There are 5 steps along the path to cultivating a heart of purity:

1. Grieve it
2. Get distance from it
3. Confess it
4. Get underneath it
5. Replace it

Additional recommended resources:

"Purity is Possible" by Helen Thorn: https://www.amazon.com/Purity-Possible-Helen-Thorne/dp/1909919845/

"The Death of Porn" by Ray Ortlund: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Porn-Integrity-Building-Nobility/dp/1433576694/

To watch the sermon for this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/wxWkdctiJGo

Are you angry? The world gives us plenty to be angry about. So is there a biblical way we can process our anger and deal with conflict in a healthy way?

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss why anger in our hearts is destructive to the image of God in us and in others. Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 5 offers us a way to have a new Kingdom heart that allows us to reconcile with others. Through this discussion we’ll see that forgiveness stops the cycle of sin in our lives and in the lives of others. Ultimately, this cascade of grace changes the world.

If you’ve ever struggled with forgiving yourself or others, this is a great conversation to listen to.

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

To watch the sermon from this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/iY1v35JZcG0

Additional recommended resources:

"Christ Centered Conflict Resolution" by Tony Merida: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1087733499/

"A Small Book About A Big Problem" by Edward Welch: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1945270136/

How do Christians relate to the Old Testament law? Are we picking and choosing, or has Christ set us free from it all?

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss the tension between adherence to the law and spiritual freedom that Jesus preaches in the Sermon on the Mount. They also unpack why behavior modification will never change your heart, but heart transformation always changes your behavior. If you've ever struggled with a sinful behavior that you just can't seem to shake, this is a great conversation.

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

What is Jesus calling us to when He says to be salt and light?

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss how everyone can fulfill the call of Jesus to change our world by focusing on the little things every day. The choices we make, the habits we form, and the influence we wield help shape and mold our corner of the world for better or worse.  

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

What does Jesus' upside-down kingdom tell us about living a truly blessed life?

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss Jesus' Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5. If you want to know the most important teachings of Jesus, and how they relate to you life, this is the Bible passage you want to read. 

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

What does it mean to live the sermon on the mount?

This famous sermon shook the world two millenia ago and continues to challenge us today. As we start a new sermon series titled, The Upside-Down Kingdom, join us next episode as Pastors Philip and Eric answer your questions and discuss what Jesus is asking of our lives. 

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

What you wait for shapes how you live. So, what are you waiting for?

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric look at two unusual characters from the Christmas story who give us some incredibly practical steps for learning to cultivate a hopeful mindset.

We are all living in the in-between space waiting for the promises of God to be delivered. The key to waiting well is in the discipline of doing the little things, opening our hearts to God and others, and holding onto the promises of God.

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected].

How can the manger inform our personal application of the Christmas message this season? 

In this episode, Pastors Philip and Eric discuss how a little piece of stable furniture was something that made the baby Jesus accessible to shabby shepherds. Are our lives making Christ accessible to others? We too can come to Jesus, battered and dirty like a manger, and be vessels that exalts the King of Glory. 

Watch the sermon from this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/pvW5_f6uwNE. 

Questions for Living the Message can be submitted to 312-682-1888 or by email to [email protected]