Living on Purpose - "Forgive...Wisely" - 1 Corinthians 13:5

Forgiveness is hard. Not just hard to do — but hard to do well. Hard to do without reopening wounds. Hard to do without stepping back into the crossfire of hurt. Jesus was all about forgiveness. He came to bring it. And yet even in His relationship with Peter, we see how painful forgiveness can be. The bold leader. The confident voice. “Even if all fall away…” And then the denial. Three times. Followed by that moment — locked eyes across the courtyard. That had to sting. And later, by a charcoal fire — again — Jesus gently, deliberately restores what had been broken. Three denials. Three questions. Three declarations of love. It stung. But it healed. Forgiveness is good for us. Necessary for us. But it must be applied with wisdom. Forgiveness does not mean remaining endlessly vulnerable to someone’s sin. It does not ignore truth. It sets the wounded free. And often, when you finally let it go, you discover that you are the one who has been set free.

Michael Shearon is joined by Hannah Buttram, Paxton Redd, and first-time guest A.B. Rushing for a lively episode of Beyond Sunday, stepping in while Josh is out sick. The crew kicks things off with a relatable “this-or-that” game around everyday frustrations, setting up an honest and practical conversation about anger, irritation, and the small moments that reveal what’s really happening in our hearts. Through humor and personal stories, the team explores how reactions in everyday life can expose deeper spiritual patterns.

The discussion then turns toward Michael’s message on Jesus, Lazarus, and the reality that anger isn’t always sinful—but it must be guarded well. The group reflects on accusational anger, bitterness that drains hope, and how Christ’s compassion reshapes our responses. They share real-world practices like slowing down, stepping away, praying honestly, and asking better questions of our emotions, while also looking ahead to next week’s focus on forgiveness and highlighting upcoming church events and volunteer opportunities.

Living on Purpose - "Guard Your Anger" - 1 Corinthians 13:5, John 11:32-44

Maybe we should just skip this one. What do you say? But if you’re tempted to gloss over it, it might be the very thing you need most. We have anger problems. And not always the kind we recognize. We’ve all been wounded by someone’s anger. And we’ve all wounded others with our own. Maybe what we need isn’t avoidance—but a little remedial anger rehab. Anger itself isn’t evil. It’s an emotion God designed—an important response system involving our mind, body, and soul. Ephesians 4:26 tells us to “be angry, and yet do not sin.” That’s the tension. That’s the challenge. And that’s exactly what we see in Jesus. The Gospels clearly show moments when Jesus was angry. His anger wasn’t selfish or impulsive. It was purposeful. Compassionate. Rooted in righteousness. There are times when anger is appropriate. Jesus knew that. The real question is this: Am I angry? Why am I angry? Am I angry about the right things? And ultimately— Is my anger rooted in not getting my own way? Or is it rooted in godly compassion? That difference changes everything.

Chaney Guffey, Cliff Hines, Michael Shearon, and Josh Hensley kick things off with humor and honesty as they unpack the “My Way Meter,” using real-life scenarios to explore how self-control shows up at home, in friendships, and under pressure. The conversation connects directly to Sunday’s message about spotting the “my way” attitude, protecting margin, taming our words, and choosing servanthood, reminding listeners that spiritual growth is a practice shaped by everyday decisions.

The team also dives into cultural trends around convenience, AI, and efficiency, asking how those influences shape relationships and discipleship today. They reflect on why serving strangers often feels easier than serving family, highlight Jesus as the ultimate model of self-control, and preview next week’s focus on guarding anger while preparing hearts for the busy Easter season ahead.

Living on Purpose - "Practice Self-Control" - 1 Corinthians 13:5; Mark 10:35-45

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say… is nothing at all. But silence requires something rare: self-restraint. Self-control. The “sons of thunder” learned that lesson the hard way. In a moment that probably felt bold and justified, they made it about themselves—only to discover that following Jesus means something radically different. “It is not about you.” That’s a hard truth for a two-year-old. It’s just as hard for us. When Jesus said, “Not so with you… Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” He drew a clear line in the sand. Among you it will be different. But is it? Is it different in your marriage? At your workplace? In your leadership? Self-control and submission walk hand in hand. And servant leadership only works when it flows from a surrendered heart. Even if you are the leader—especially if you are the leader.

This week on the Beyond Sunday podcast, Steve Buttram, Michael Shearon, Kevin Lee, and Josh Hensley dive into the idea that love is not rude — and how tone, stress, and everyday reactions can either build honor or quietly tear it down. What starts with a fun conversation about how the same phrase can sound completely different quickly turns into a real look at how believers reflect Christ through the way they speak, respond, and treat the people closest to them.

Along the way, the team shares honest stories about marriage, parenting, leadership, and learning to slow down enough to choose grace over impulse. With humor, conviction, and practical wisdom, the episode invites listeners to examine their own tone, embrace humility, and prepare their hearts for what God may be shaping next in their relationships and service.

Living on Purpose - "Be Polite" - 1 Corinthians 13:5; Luke 7:36-50

Pride often begins quietly—as an attitude of the heart—but it eventually shows itself in public ways, including rudeness. Just as patience expresses itself through kindness, pride reveals itself through how we treat others. In Jesus’ visit to the home of Simon the Pharisee, we’re given a striking lesson on courtesy, hospitality, and the spiritual weight of small actions. It’s easy to dismiss polite behavior as insignificant, but Jesus shows us otherwise: the small things are often the big things.

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This week on Beyond Sunday, Paxton Redd, Evan Ryan, Josh Hensley, and Michael Shearon gather around the table to unpack Sunday’s message on pride and humility, with plenty of laughter and real-life stories along the way. From snow-shoveling injuries and driveway disasters to a fun game of “I Got This or That’s Not Me,” the conversation disarms listeners while revealing how pride often shows up in subtle, everyday moments. The group reflects on how confidence, competence, and humility can blur together—and how wisdom sometimes means knowing when to step up and when to bow low.

Evan recaps his sermon from Luke 18, contrasting the Pharisee and the tax collector and highlighting three core truths: be honest about your condition, do nothing out of performance, and stay low before God. The discussion deepens as the team explores false humility, conflict, and why our posture before God shapes how we treat others. The episode closes with encouragement around what God is doing in the next generation through FCA, student ministry, and young adults—reminding listeners that humility isn’t self-deprecation, but rightly placing God at the center of everything.

Living on Purpose - "Be Humble" - 1 Corinthians 13:4; Luke 18:9-14

Pride is often hardest to see in ourselves and easiest to spot in others—a sure sign of our blind spots. Jesus exposes this hidden danger through a parable where pride quietly disguises itself as righteousness. Which character do you see yourself in? Which one would you want to live with, work alongside, or serve under? The invitation is simple, but challenging: embrace humility, recognize your blind spots, and get over yourself.

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The conversation then moves into deeper territory, unpacking the tension between envy and contentment through the lens of Kevin Lee’s recent message. The group talks candidly about comparison, ambition, gratitude, and humility—how envy acts like a warning light in the heart, and how contentment is something practiced, not stumbled upon. With encouragement rooted in Scripture and real life, the episode invites listeners to recognize what God has already placed in their hands and to walk faithfully with it, while also looking ahead to what’s coming next at New Work Fellowship, including the rescheduled Out of the Box serving opportunity.