ngExtras

Drew Mathews and Kaleb Glaze tackle the difficult topic of human depravity—the reality that, because of sin, no person is completely righteous or spiritually good before God. They explore the doctrine of original sin, including inherited guilt and the sinful nature passed down from Adam.

The conversation traces human depravity back to Genesis 2–3 and explains how Adam's disobedience affected all humanity. But the story doesn't end with our sin. Drew and Kaleb connect humanity's need for a Savior to the Gospel, showing how Christ's righteousness provides the answer to Adam's sin.

They also connect depravity to last week's discussion of general revelation, considering how God's moral law is reflected in human conscience even as sin and culture can distort our understanding of right and wrong.

Human Depravity

• Romans 3:23 — All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

• Romans 5:12–19 — Adam's sin brought condemnation and death, while Christ brings righteousness and life.

• Psalm 51:1–5 — David recognizes his sinful condition.

• Jeremiah 17:9 — The human heart is deceitful.

• Romans 7:18 — Nothing good dwells in our sinful nature.

• Titus 1:15 — Sin affects the mind and conscience.

Where Did It Begin?

• Genesis 2:16–17 — God gives Adam the command regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

• Romans 5:17–19 — Paul connects Adam's disobedience with humanity's condemnation and Christ's obedience with righteousness.

The Gospel

• 2 Corinthians 5:21 — Christ became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God.

• Isaiah 53:2–5 — Christ bears our sin, grief, and punishment, bringing peace and healing.

Depravity & Conscience

• 1 Timothy 4:1–2 — Paul warns about consciences becoming seared.

• Romans 3:12 — Humanity has turned aside; no one does good on their own.

Key Takeaway: We cannot save ourselves from the guilt and corruption of sin. Our universal need for a Savior points us to Jesus Christ and His righteousness.

Pastors Derek and Hunter sit down with Drew Mathews and Kaleb Glaze to go deeper into the sermon "Jesus the Cosmic Christ," the first in Pastor Derek's series "Jesus Revealed in Revelation."

They cover topics such as interpretation of the Lord's day, the appearance of Jesus, the idea of being "slain in the Spirit," and more.

If you have questions after a Sunday sermon, email them to [email protected] to add it to the discussion on that weeks "Beyond the Message."

Drew Mathews and Kaleb Glaze explore general revelation—what God has made known about Himself through creation, human history, and the human conscience. They discuss how the order of creation and our awareness of right and wrong point us toward God's existence, power, wisdom, and moral authority.

They also tackle an important question: Can someone be saved through general revelation alone? As they examine what Scripture says, the conversation points toward the necessity of the Gospel and Jesus as the only way to salvation. This discussion sets up next week's question: Who is innocent?

General Revelation

• Psalm 19:1 — Creation declares God's glory.

• Acts 14:16–17 — God leaves a witness of Himself through creation and His provision.

• Romans 1:18–21 — God's nature and power are evident through what He has made.

• Romans 1:32 — Humanity has an awareness of God's moral judgment.

• Romans 2:14–15 — God's law is reflected in the human conscience.

Special Revelation
God's specific revelation through Scripture and His revealed Word, providing the Gospel and knowledge necessary for salvation.

Can General Revelation Save?

• 2 Timothy 2:4 — God desires people to be saved.

• John 14:6 — Jesus declares that He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Drew Mathews and Kaleb Glaze take a deep dive into one of Christianity’s most historic statements of faith: the Nicene Creed. Together, they unpack where the creed came from, why the early church felt it was necessary, and what it actually teaches about God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Their conversation explores the controversy surrounding Arianism and the question at the heart of the Nicene Council: Who is Jesus? They discuss why the church affirmed that Jesus is not a created being, but fully God and fully human, and why that truth matters for the Gospel itself.

Drew and Kaleb also walk through several passages of Scripture that support the major claims of the creed, showing that the Nicene Creed wasn’t intended to create new doctrine, but to clearly articulate foundational biblical truths. Finally, they discuss why understanding these doctrines still matters for Christians today—and how the creed can help believers recognize teachings that move away from historic Christian orthodoxy.

The Nicene Creed
The full creed discussed in the episode includes affirmations about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Jesus’ incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and return; the Church; forgiveness of sins; the resurrection; and the life to come.

The Councils of Nicaea and Constantinople
The episode discusses the two ecumenical councils that form the historical background of the Nicene Creed: the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 and the Council of Constantinople in AD 381.

Arianism
Arianism was the theological controversy that prompted the Nicene Council. The episode explains Arius's teaching that the Son was begotten by the Father and therefore had a beginning, rather than being coeternal with the Father. The Nicene response affirmed the Son as fully divine and of the same essence as the Father.

Key Biblical References

• Deuteronomy 6:4 — The oneness of God.

• Mark 12:29 — Jesus affirms the oneness of God.

• 1 Corinthians 8:4–6 — One God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus Christ.

• Acts 5:3–5 — The Holy Spirit is identified with God.

• Matthew 28:19 — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are named together in baptism.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 — Paul identifies distinct roles for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Genesis 1–2 — God as Creator.

• John 1:1–4, 14–18 — Jesus as the Word who was with God, was God, and became flesh.

• Colossians 1:15–20 — Christ as the image of the invisible God and the one through whom all things were created.

• Hebrews 1:1–4, 8–12 — The Son as the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of His nature.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — Christ’s death for our sins and resurrection.

• Acts 1:9–11 — Jesus’ ascension and promised return.

• Hebrews 2:14 — Christ sharing in flesh and blood and defeating the power of death.

Further Reading Mentioned

• Logos — The Nicene Creed
  https://www.logos.com/grow/nook-nicene-creed/

Athanasius — On the Incarnation of the Word of God
The discussion references Athanasius's work on the incarnation and his explanation of why Christ had to be truly God in order to accomplish the work of salvation.

Pastor JJ looks at the ten lepers Jesus healed. Out of all ten how many came back and expressed gratitude for something great done in their lives? Are we like those lepers that left, or do we remember to go back to God and thank Him for his blessings?

Students looked at 2 Corinthians 5:17 and the truth that Jesus doesn’t just make us better — He makes us new. When we are in Christ, Jesus gives us a new identity, a new life, and a new direction. We are no longer defined by our past, our failures, the opinions of others, or who we used to be. Our identity is found in Jesus, and because we belong to Him, the direction of our lives begins to change. We also talked about how baptism is the outward picture of that inward transformation. Baptism doesn’t save us... Jesus does, but it publicly declares, “My old life is gone. My life belongs to Jesus now.” Our challenge was simple: Have you been made new? Because when Jesus changes a life, we can look back and say, “That was part of my story, but it’s not who I am anymore. By the grace of God, I’m not who I was.” 

Pastor JJ explores the powerful contrast between the two thieves hanging on either side of Jesus at the cross. Both were close to Jesus. Both had the same opportunity. But each made a very different choice.

Then the story becomes personal: Which thief are you like?

One rejected Jesus. One believed—and found salvation. The choice each man made mattered for eternity, and so does yours. This message challenges middle and high school students to consider the most important decision they will ever make: What will you do with Jesus?

Pastor JJ continues the study of inviting people to meet Jesus. Come and See talks about Andrew bringing his brother Simon (later called Peter) to meet Jesus and everything that came from that choice. Who are you called to bring to church? Who do you love who needs to meet Christ?

In John 1, Philip invites Nathanael to meet Jesus. Listen as Drew breaks down how Philip approached the invitation, how he stood firm in Christ's identity, and how an invite can change a life.

Pastor JJ leads the students into Luke 14:15-24 to explore the idea about who is invited to the party, and whose job it is to do the inviting!