Quentin Road Baptist Church

As Quentin Road concludes its America 250 series, Pastor Jim Scudder asks the question hiding behind a single punctuation mark: In God We Trust — or do we? Celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, he weaves together the faith of America's founders and Abraham Lincoln with a searching look at where our own trust really rests. What does it mean for a nation — and for you — to still trust God? And when the good news breaks through, will you receive the one gift no country could ever give? Scripture referenced: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Psalm 19:9; Matthew 22:21; Philippians 3:20-21

Have you ever been promised a "free" vacation—only to discover the fine print? Pastor Jim Scudder opens Acts 25 with an unlikely offer hidden right in Scripture: an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid trip to Rome. Two years after his arrest, the Apostle Paul faces a brand-new Roman governor, Festus, while his accusers revive an old plot to have him killed. But with a few well-chosen words, Paul turns the tables and sets his course for the very heart of the empire—where kings and governors will have to hear the gospel. A corrupt court, a notorious royal family, and a reminder that from servants to rulers, no one who hears the good news is left without excuse. What are the "magic words" that change everything—and what free trip is offered to everyone who says yes to Christ? Scripture referenced: Acts 25:1-27; John 8:44; Acts 9:15.

As America marks its 250th birthday, Pastor Jim Scudder opens a two-part series with a pointed question: is "In God We Trust" still true of us? Part 1 celebrates the nation's biblical and Christian foundations—and pushes back on the popular narrative that America is simply a bad country—while sounding a clear caution against ever placing our ultimate trust in a nation rather than in God. From the convictions of the founders to where we stand today, it's a call to be grateful, clear-eyed Americans whose deepest hope is not in a flag but in the One who sits on heaven's throne. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Scripture referenced: Psalm 33:12; Romans 13:1; Judges 17:6; Proverbs 3:27; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 3:16.

Two thousand years ago, in the seaside city of Caesarea, the Apostle Paul stood on trial before a corrupt Roman governor—and what unfolded reads a little like a championship game. Pastor Jim Scudder walks through Acts 24 play by play—kickoff, offense, defense, the fumble, and the punt—as a smooth-talking lawyer's flattery collides with Paul's fearless defense of the resurrection. But the real drama begins the moment Felix starts to tremble. At the heart of it are three things every one of us must face: yesterday's sin, today's temptation, and tomorrow's judgment. So why did a governor who came "so close" still walk away—and what will you do with the very same choice? Scripture referenced: Acts 24:1-27; Acts 23:3; Proverbs 26:28; Romans 3:22-23; Acts 17:31.

"When the Bible makes a claim, you can put it to the test." In this tribute message, Pastor Jim Scudder tells the remarkable story of his father—Dr. James Allen Scudder Sr., the founder of this ministry—who would have turned 80 this summer. From a University of Kentucky fraternity house, where a lost but religious young man was "living like the devil" while somehow pastoring a church, to a lonely creek in the Kentucky hills where God forever changed the direction of his life, it is the story of a man who put the promises of God to the test and finished strong. Featuring clips from the video series "Finish Strong" and the two simple verses that transformed everything. The question it leaves with each of us: are you on course to finish strong? Scripture referenced: Isaiah 53:6; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23.

"Anybody can say anything about anything." Dr. Phil Stringer traces the ancient—and suddenly resurging—wave of "blood libels" against the Jewish people: false accusations that, if believed, have been used to justify unspeakable violence all through history. Where do these conspiracy theories come from, why are they now spreading through churches with wildfire speed, and what does God's Word actually say about Israel and the peace of Jerusalem? Drawing on his book by the same name, Dr. Stringer warns that when people are given the wrong history, it creates a spiritual crisis—and that the responsibility to tell the truth falls to the church. A timely and sobering call to discernment. Scripture referenced: Psalm 105:6-11; Psalm 122:6; Proverbs 14:15; Exodus 12:35-36; Revelation 3:9.

Have you ever walked through a season of life and thought, "What is actually happening to me?" It's easy to lose our spiritual balance—to get disoriented, frustrated, and confused about what God is really doing. In this message, Pastor Mark Julian pulls back the curtain on the process every believer is walking through, and the three "T's" God uses to shape us into the image of His Son. One of them is either happening in your life right now, or it's about to—so how do you stand when it comes? Discover why understanding the difference changes everything about the way you face what lies ahead. Scripture referenced: John 3:16; Psalm 139:23-24; Hebrews 11:17; Psalm 66:10; Romans 8:28-29; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 1:20; Hebrews 4:15; Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5.

Beginning the book of Exodus, this message explores the slavery and oppression of the Israelites in Egypt and what archaeology reveals about the historical accuracy of this pivotal biblical account. From the discovery at Avaris to the identity of the Pharaoh of the Exodus, the evidence for Scripture continues to grow. But the deeper message is this: physical slavery is not the worst bondage we face. We are all enslaved to sin — and only one person in history fits the prophecies of Isaiah 53, having come to set us truly and permanently free.

Who does God bless — and why? In this message, Dr. Phil Stringer opens the Scriptures to explore a question that is both timeless and intensely practical. Drawing from Proverbs 11, the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, and decades of ministry experience, Dr. Stringer traces the marks of a life and a ministry that God delights to bless. He examines God's blessing on soul winners, on those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, on the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and even those who suffer persecution for doing right. Along the way, Dr. Stringer weaves in candid and often humorous stories from the mission field and the pastorate that bring these principles to life. An encouraging and challenging message for anyone who longs to see the hand of God at work in their life and ministry.

On the occasion of the dedication of Dayspring Bible College & Seminary's new campus on Salem Lake in Long Grove, Illinois, Pastor Jim Scudder delivers a message of celebration and faith rooted in Joshua 4. Just as God commanded Israel to set up twelve stones as a memorial of His miraculous provision at the Jordan River, this message calls believers to recognize and remember the miracles God works — both the extraordinary and the less noticed. Drawing on the remarkable story of Dayspring's two campus acquisitions, Pastor Scudder challenges the congregation to cultivate eyes of faith that see God's hand in all things. The message concludes with a call to the greatest miracle of all — the redemption of a sinner through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.