New Work Fellowship Podcast

If Life Were a Garden - "The Garden of Gethsemane - Where Life Was Won" - Matthew 26:36-46

The garden of Gethsemane is a place of both beauty and deep sorrow—the very ground where the battle for our salvation was fought and won. On that heavy night, Jesus chose not to walk away, but to draw near to the Father in honest, agonizing prayer. Even in overwhelming grief, betrayal, and pressure, He remained rooted in God’s presence. This powerful reflection invites us to become “garden people”—those who pray deeply, stay close to God in every season, and trust Him even in life’s hardest moments. Because it is often in the darkest gardens that God is doing His greatest work.

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This week’s conversation with Hannah Buttram, Josh Hensley, Paxton Redd, and Michael Shearon brings a fresh look at the beginning—walking through the Garden of Eden and how something that didn’t seem dangerous became irresistible. Through a fun (and surprisingly revealing) food game, the team highlights how small additions can transform something ordinary into something hard to resist—mirroring how temptation often works in our lives. Sin rarely appears destructive; instead, it appears appealing, subtle, and justifiable. The discussion unpacks how sin is greedy, contagious, and ultimately separates us from God, while also reminding us that the enemy often tempts us with things God has already promised—just twisted or mistimed.

The conversation moves deeper into how sin spreads—not just through actions, but through relationships, habits, and even family patterns. From gossip to comparison to hidden struggles, the group reflects on how easily we drift when we’re tired, isolated, or trying to carry things alone. Yet even in the weight of sin’s reality, there is a strong thread of hope: God’s mercy is woven into the story from the very beginning. What may feel like consequence can actually be protection, and what feels like defeat has already been overcome through Jesus. As Easter approaches, the invitation is clear—step out of the cycle of sin and into the life and freedom that Christ has already secured.

If Life Were a Garden - "The Garden of Eden - First Life" - Genesis 2:4-15

From the very beginning, God chose a garden as the place where life would begin—a space full of beauty, purpose, and His presence. Adam and Eve had everything they needed, and most importantly, they walked closely with God. But sin disrupted that perfection, bringing brokenness not only to humanity but to all of creation.

Still, the story doesn’t end in ruin. Though sin damages every “garden” it touches, God—the true Gardener—never abandons His creation. Even in the midst of our mess, He is at work, restoring, redeeming, and bringing life again.

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This week’s episode brings a long-awaited guest to the table—Tammy Witty, one of the podcast’s most faithful listeners, finally stepping into the conversation. After some fun (including a Disney vs. Scripture game that keeps everyone guessing), the tone shifts into something deeper as the team reflects on what it truly means for love to endure. Through laughter, stories, and honest moments, the conversation builds around the idea that real love isn’t just felt—it’s proven over time through perseverance, sacrifice, and intentional daily choice.

Tammy shares a powerful and personal testimony of walking through hardship with her husband’s health crisis, offering a living picture of love that endures disappointment, difficulty, and requires intentional faith. Her story becomes a reminder that enduring love is rooted in a strong foundation with Christ, and that even in seasons of struggle, God is at work shaping something meaningful. The episode closes with encouragement for anyone feeling weary or ready to give up—pointing back to Jesus as the perfect example of love that never quits and always makes a way forward.

Living on Purpose - "Be Loyal...to the End" - 1 Corinthians 13:7; John 13:1-5, 12-17

Love that truly lasts doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intention. In a world that often drifts toward convenience and self-interest, followers of Jesus are called to something deeper. If we want love to endure, we must choose it daily by following the way of Jesus. This means loving God wholeheartedly and loving others faithfully, just as He did. Real discipleship isn’t passive; it’s a lifelong commitment to live and love like Christ—faithfully and fully, all the way to the end.

This week on Beyond Sunday, Josh Hensley is joined by Michael Shearon, Brandon Tubbs, and Justin Eshenbaugh for a lively conversation centered on truth, honesty, and the cultural confusion surrounding absolute truth. The episode kicks off with a fun game called “Absolute Truth?”, setting the tone for a discussion about how culture often blurs the lines between personal opinion and objective truth. From humorous takes to deeper reflections, the group explores how quickly conversations about truth can shift depending on perspective.

As the conversation deepens, the team reflects on the biblical claim that truth ultimately has a source—Jesus Himself—and how that reality challenges the modern belief that everyone gets to define truth for themselves. They talk about how lies shape behavior, why culture often resists the idea of absolute truth, and why Jesus’ bold declaration of who He is demands a response from every person. With a mix of humor and thoughtful discussion, the episode invites listeners to consider whether their beliefs are rooted in opinion or anchored in the truth revealed through Christ.

Living on Purpose - "Just Be Honest" - 1 Corinthians 13:6; John 8:31-59

In John 8:31–59 we encounter a powerful “truth conflict.” Jesus boldly speaks truth, yet those around Him reject it because it doesn’t fit their version of truth. The tension feels strikingly familiar in our culture today. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we truth tellers? Does the truth shape the way we live? Or is there a gap between what we say and how we live? In the end, this story calls us to lives of integrity and fidelity—letting the truth of Christ win out in us and through us.

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This week on the Beyond Sunday podcast, Josh Hensley is joined by Steve Buttram, Michael Shearon, and special guest Keion Brown to unpack Paxton Redd’s sermon on forgiveness. The conversation opens with a fun segment called “The Scoreboard,” where the hosts confess the petty and often humorous ways people keep score in everyday life—at home, in relationships, and even in ministry. That playful start leads into a deeper reflection on one of the sermon’s central truths: forgiveness means choosing not to keep a record of wrongs. The group talks about how easily people track who did more, who apologized first, or who carried the heavier load—and how grace calls believers to lay down those invisible scorecards.

The discussion then moves into the deeper work of forgiveness, especially the important distinction between forgiveness and reconciliation. The hosts talk honestly about setting healthy boundaries, how unresolved wounds can shape our relationships, and why forgiving ourselves can sometimes be the hardest step of all. They remind listeners that forgiveness flows from receiving God’s grace first—and that lingering shame often keeps people stuck long after God has already offered freedom. It’s a thoughtful conversation about grace, healing, and learning to live in the freedom Christ provides.

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.