In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we explore what Scripture teaches about women, gender, identity, and transgenderism.

We begin by looking at the role of women throughout the Bible—from creation and the Old Testament to the ministry of Jesus and the early Church. We then turn to the biblical understanding of God's design for humanity, sex, gender, and identity, and consider how Christians should respond to the modern conversation surrounding transgenderism.

We dive into questions like:

• What does the Bible teach about women and their role in God's story?
• What does Scripture say about how God created humanity?
• How should Christians understand biological sex and gender through a biblical lens?
• How should followers of Jesus respond to transgender people with both truth and compassion?
• What does it look like to disagree with a cultural belief without demeaning the person who holds it?

This isn't a conversation about attacking people. It's an opportunity to open Scripture, wrestle with difficult questions, and consider what it means to follow Jesus faithfully in a culture where questions of identity and gender are increasingly important.

As always, our goal is to seek truth, show grace, and keep Jesus at the center of the conversation.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 47
📖 Topics: Women in the Bible, Gender, Identity, Transgenderism, Biblical Anthropology, Christian Living
✝️ Focus: Truth & Grace
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we continue our journey through Romans 12, exploring what it looks like for Christians to live out their faith in a culture where biblical convictions are increasingly challenged.

As we walk through the second half of Romans 12, we discuss how Christians should respond to difficult cultural issues—including abortion—while remaining faithful to the character and commands of Christ.

We dive into questions like:

• What does Romans 12 teach us about responding to a hostile culture?
• How should Christians stand for the unborn?
• Can we oppose abortion while still loving and serving those who disagree with us?
• What does it mean to overcome evil with good?
• How should Christians balance truth, conviction, compassion, and action?

Paul's message in Romans 12 is not simply to believe differently from the world, but to live differently. Christians are called to pursue justice, love their neighbors, defend what is good, and represent Christ even when doing so comes with a cost.

This conversation challenges us to consider not only what we believe, but how our lives, words, and actions reflect Jesus in the public square.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 46
📖 Scripture: Romans 12:14–21
✝️ Topics: Romans, Abortion, Sanctity of Life, Christian Ethics, Culture, Faith & Action
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we continue our journey through Romans 10 and 11 and tackle two questions that have sparked significant discussion within Christianity: Is the Sinner’s Prayer biblical? And should Christians support Israel?

As Paul explains God's plan of salvation and His relationship with Israel, these chapters raise important questions about faith, confession, salvation, God's promises, and the future of Israel.

We dive into questions like:

• Is the Sinner’s Prayer found in Scripture, or is it a modern Christian practice?
• What does Romans 10 actually teach about salvation and confessing Jesus as Lord?
• What does Paul mean when he says, “all Israel will be saved”?
• How should Christians understand God's ongoing relationship with Israel?

This conversation isn't about reducing complex biblical questions to simple answers. It's about opening Romans 10 and 11, examining Paul's argument in context, and wrestling honestly with what Scripture teaches.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 45
📖 Scripture: Romans 10–11
✝️ Topics: Salvation, The Sinner’s Prayer, Israel, God's Promises, Romans, Biblical Theology
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we dive into one of the most challenging and debated doctrines in all of Scripture: predestination.

Walking through the second half of Romans 8 and into Romans 9, we unpack Paul's teaching on God's sovereignty, election, and salvation. What does it really mean to be predestined? Does God choose who will be saved? Do humans have free will? And how should Christians approach these passages with humility and faithfulness to God's Word?

We explore questions like:

• What does Romans 8 teach about predestination?
• Why does Paul discuss God's sovereignty in Romans 9?
• How do God's sovereignty and human responsibility work together?
• What do the words "foreknew," "predestined," "called," "justified," and "glorified" mean?
• How should Christians navigate different views on predestination?

Whether you've wrestled with these passages for years or you're reading Romans for the first time, we hope this conversation encourages you to trust God's wisdom, marvel at His grace, and find confidence in the gospel.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 44
📖 Scripture: Romans 8:28–39 & Romans 9
✝️ Topics: Predestination, Election, God's Sovereignty, Free Will, Romans, Salvation, Theology
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we dive into the first half of Romans 8 and explore one of the greatest promises of the Christian life: freedom from the power of sin through the Holy Spirit.

So many believers feel trapped in cycles of temptation, shame, and defeat. But Romans 8 reminds us that the Christian life isn't about trying harder—it's about walking by the Spirit. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives in every believer, empowering us to live in true freedom.

We dive into questions like:

• How do we break free from habitual sin?
• What does it mean to "walk according to the Spirit"?
• Why do we continue to struggle even after coming to Christ?
• How can we cultivate a deeper desire for the Holy Spirit than for the things of the flesh?
• What does it look like to set our minds on the things of the Spirit?

Whether you're battling a specific sin, longing for a deeper relationship with God, or simply wanting to understand Romans 8 more clearly, this conversation will encourage you to fix your eyes on Christ and experience the life the Holy Spirit offers.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 43
📖 Scripture: Romans 8:1–17
✝️ Topics: Romans, The Holy Spirit, Sanctification, Freedom from Sin, Christian Living
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

Link to the book Dark Journey, Deep Grace: https://a.co/d/0hxnb8UI

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we tackle one of the most debated theological questions in Christianity: Can a believer become completely free from sin in this life?

Walking through Romans 7, we examine Paul's honest struggle with sin and why this chapter has been central to the Church's understanding of sanctification for centuries. We also discuss the doctrine of sinless perfectionism—the belief that Christians can reach a state of complete sinlessness in this life—and why we believe it is inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture.

We dive into questions like:

• What is the doctrine of sinless perfectionism?
• What does Romans 7 teach about the believer's ongoing battle with sin?
• Why does Paul say, "I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing"?
• Does God's grace excuse sin, or empower us to fight it?
• What does biblical sanctification actually look like?

The Christian life is not about achieving perfection through our own effort—it's about being transformed by the grace of God as we grow in Christ. While believers are called to pursue holiness, Scripture also reminds us that the battle against sin continues until we are fully glorified with Christ.

Whether you're wrestling with sin, seeking a deeper understanding of Romans, or wanting to grow in your walk with Jesus, we hope this conversation points you to the hope found in the gospel—not in your own perfection, but in Christ's.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 42
📖 Scripture: Romans 7
✝️ Topics: Romans, Sanctification, Sin, Holiness, Sinless Perfectionism, The Gospel
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we ask a challenging question: If Paul were writing a letter to the American Church today, what would he say?

Using Romans 6 as our foundation, we explore Paul's call to die to sin, live in the freedom of Christ, and become slaves to righteousness rather than slaves to sin. In a culture that celebrates self, comfort, and compromise, Paul's words are just as relevant today as they were nearly 2,000 years ago.

We discuss where the modern American church has drifted from biblical Christianity and what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus in a world pulling us in the opposite direction.

We dive into questions like:

• What does it mean to be a slave to righteousness?
• How does Romans 6 challenge cultural Christianity?
• Where has the American church compromised with the culture?
• Can grace become an excuse for ongoing sin?
• What does genuine obedience to Christ look like today?

Whether you've been following Jesus for years or you're just beginning your faith journey, we hope this episode encourages you to examine your heart, pursue holiness, and live fully surrendered to Christ.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 41
📖 Scripture: Romans 6
✝️ Topics: Romans, Sanctification, Holiness, Grace, The American Church, Christian Living
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we discuss one of the most talked-about conversations in the Church today: Should women hold the title of pastor?

Following a recent vote within the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the role of women in pastoral ministry, we examine what Scripture teaches, why this issue has become such a significant point of discussion, and how Christians can approach it with both biblical conviction and humility.

We also continue our study through Romans 6, exploring what it means to be united with Christ, set free from the power of sin, and called to live a new life through His grace.

We dive into questions like:

• What does Romans 6 teach about dying to sin and living for Christ?
• What was the recent SBC vote, and why has it generated so much discussion?
• What does the Bible say about the office of pastor?
• How should Christians navigate disagreements on secondary theological issues?
• How can we hold firmly to biblical truth while demonstrating love and respect for one another?

Whether you're studying Romans, following current events within the SBC, or simply wanting to better understand the biblical discussion surrounding church leadership, we hope this conversation challenges and encourages you.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 40
📖 Scripture: Romans 6
✝️ Topics: Romans, Women in Ministry, Southern Baptist Convention
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we explore Romans 4 and the powerful truth that our standing before God is based on faith—not our performance.

As we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as a nation, we also discuss a far greater freedom: the freedom found in Jesus Christ. Through the example of Abraham, Paul shows that righteousness has never been earned through works, religious rituals, or personal achievement. It has always been received by faith.

In a world that constantly tells us to prove ourselves, Romans 4 reminds us that salvation is a gift of grace. We are not made right with God because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has already done for us.

Whether you're exploring Christianity for the first time or looking to deepen your understanding of the gospel, this conversation will point you back to the freedom, hope, and assurance found in Christ alone.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded – Episode 39
📖 Scripture: Romans 4
✝️ Topics: Faith, Freedom, Justification, Abraham, The Gospel
🇺🇸 Special Discussion: Freedom in Christ & Country
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info

In this episode of Make Heaven Crowded, we dive into one of the most important questions a person can ask: How can we be made righteous with God?

Using Romans 3:21–31 as our guide, we explore Paul's powerful explanation of the gospel and the good news that righteousness is not something we earn—it's something God provides through faith in Jesus Christ.

For centuries, people have tried to earn God's favor through good works, religious rituals, and moral living. But Paul makes it clear: every person has sinned, and our only hope is found in the finished work of Jesus.

We explore questions like:

-  What does it mean to be "righteous" before God?
-  Why can't our good works save us?
- Why legalism is sending people to hell

Whether you're new to Christianity or have been following Jesus for years, Romans 3 reminds us that salvation is not about what we do for God—it's about what Christ has already done for us.

This is the heart of the gospel: sinners made right with a holy God through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

🎙️ Make Heaven Crowded
📖 Scripture: Romans 3:21–31
✝️ Topics: Righteousness, Justification, Grace, Faith, The Gospel
🌐 Learn more at teamfbc.info