Resident Strangers

Steve and Rich are back to it this week talking about the ascension. This is a very theologically significant event. The first thing that is significant about the ascension is the fact that His work in salvation was completed. The ascension also reminds us that heaven is a place - Jesus had to go somewhere! The future hope provided through the atonement is seen through this. Furthermore, the ascension points ahead to Jesus' final work when He returns. The spirit indwelling in Christ followers was brought about by this event. His mercy and grace was extended to us. Jesus' public display of victory does not just include the resurrection - it also includes the ascension. He not only came out of the tomb, but He visibly and bodily ascended to heaven. He is the Lord and victor. Certainly a significant event! You will have a deeper appreciation for the ascension after listening to this episode.

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

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Happy Thanksgiving! With this episode being released the week of Thanksgiving, Steve and Rich wanted to take a moment to talk about the practice of thanksgiving from a theological perspective. Is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday? Something we do know is that somewhere along the way Christians did have a desire to set aside specific and intentional time to give thanks to God for His blessings. As a believer giving thanks is important. How does humility play into the act of giving thanks? How do we push against the constant stream of discontentment our culture promotes (through social media, TV, etc.)? How do we use this national holiday of Thanksgiving to create within ourselves and in our families the discipline of giving thanks? Have you ever thought about how some of the most thankful people are those that have been through the most? 1 Thessalonians 5 challenges us to give thanks in everything. Philippians 4 encourages us to be content no matter the season. When you develop a true practice of thanksgiving there is a peace that comes as our eyes are more open to see the hand of God in our lives. You will be encouraged as Steve and Rich share about how they practice thankfulness in their everyday lives. We hope you take some time this week to intentionally give thanks to the Lord!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week Steve and Rich continue their discussion on the resurrection, specifically highlighting the incredible value it has. The latter part of 1 Corinthians 15 is referenced throughout this episode so we would encourage you to familiarize yourself with it. How does the resurrection affect your life today? Can you answer that? The resurrection affects everything about our lives. It is crucial that we understand this because there is an enemy who wants us to continue to live in the guilt and shame of our sin that has been paid for. Steve tells us that the resurrection reminds us that we stand today in the sight of our God in Jesus completely righteous. We are His beloved children. Rich reminds us that the resurrection brings so much hope and comfort in times of suffering and trial. Knowing that Jesus rose from the dead just like He said He would is certainly a comfort and truth to hold onto. Steve goes through a list of reasons that the resurrection brings value today and we've listed those below. Our understanding of the resurrection should give us an urgency to preach and share the Gospel. We are His ambassadors, preaching the reconciliation brought by the resurrection. This is an episode you'll want to share, and we would love it if you would do that!

Five Reasons Why The Resurrection Has Value Today:

The resurrection assures us of our standing in forgiveness 

We are assured that this world is not our home, of a better day and of life everlasting - all by the resurrection 

The power we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit who lives within us to live in victory

Jesus is Lord over all and we know that without a shadow of a doubt because He conquered death 

The resurrection gives us hope

Christ is Risen by Mack Brock - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEkKQtsy66o

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Today on Resident Strangers Steve and Rich are covering the hallmark of the Christian faith and that is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about what it would mean if Jesus did not rise from the dead? It is not possible to overstate how important the resurrection is for all of Christianity. This is a central issue of our Christian faith that cannot be comprised or disputed. Steve and Rich cover some ways that we can know for certain that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. They also go over some of theories that exist and how you can process those with Biblical and even historical truth. Something powerful to think about is that the fact that people even believed that Jesus rose from the dead is itself evidence for the resurrection. Rich explains that further in the conversation. Steve closes with talking about the life change that happened then and continues to happen now as a result of the resurrection. This is a crucial event to understand, be sure to listen!

Recommendations from Steve:

Who Moved The Stone? by Frank Morison - https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-Stone-Frank-Morison/dp/0310295610/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EG80Y6HTBT6J&keywords=who+moved+the+stone&qid=1699300482&sprefix=who+moved+the+stone%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1

The Resurrection Factor by Josh McDowell - https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-Factor-Compelling-Evidence-Proves/dp/1850786402/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23WV2RVI0JGQH&keywords=the+resurrection+factor&qid=1699300548&sprefix=the+resurrection+factor%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

Stand to Reason - https://www.str.org

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -
https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Welcome to a very spooky episode of Resident Strangers… just kidding! 

With today’s episode dropping on October 31, the hosts are tackling the big question: How should Christians think about Halloween?

Should you turn off the lights and skip the whole thing, or use it as an opportunity to engage your neighbors and point people to Jesus? And, of course, the hosts don’t all agree! What they do agree on is that Christians should have no part in witchcraft, demonology, or anything that glorifies the occult, and Halloween shouldn’t become an excuse for behavior that would otherwise be inappropriate.

Steve points to 1 Corinthians 8 and the idea of personal liberty in Christ, reminding us that so much of this comes down to our hearts. Rather than getting close to anything involving Satan or the occult, take time to prayerfully consider what the Lord is asking you to do.

Ultimately, the encouragement is simple: use cultural moments like Halloween as opportunities to engage people, love your neighbors, and point them to Jesus.

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Steve and Rich continue last week's discussion on the atonement. If you didn't listen to last week's episode, we would highly recommend you do that before diving into this week's conversation. As the listener you hopefully understand that the atonement accomplished reconciliation with God and purification and cleansing from sins. Some common questions are, why did Jesus even have to come in the first place? Does a good life get you to heaven? Is it possible for us to be good enough to save ourselves? How do you know that your sins are forgiven? The answer to so much of this is simple - it's faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus is to understand that He as the Son of God died for us and that we put our trust for our eternal life in Jesus and in Jesus alone. Jesus alone is key. Steve and Rich both reflect on trusting in Jesus as the best decision they have ever made in their lives. This and much more is discussed in this conversation and we hope it brings you to a deeper understanding of the importance and significance of the atonement. 

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week, Steve and Rich are talking about the fact that Jesus died for us and for our sins. It's the atonement. What it accomplishes is reconciliation with God and purification and cleansing from sins. Rich goes over some theories on how it is that Jesus' death brings these things but what is important to remember above everything else is that when Jesus died, He died in our place as a substitute for us. Steve puts it in simple terms saying, Jesus died for me. It might seem so simple, but we would consider it extremely important in understanding theology. Steve and Rich both express how it can be difficult to discuss this concept without getting emotional. It means everything. This theme was even seen in the Old Testament sacrificial system as Rich reminds us. Jesus was and is the perfect sacrifice. Steve finally urges us to remember that the atonement should not just be a fact we accept as knowledge but should be something that continuously moves our soul. 

Recommendations from Rich: 
The Exodus Narrative - Study Exodus 12-13

Mike Lockwood's Stories Collective interview - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4c32KuQqcQoOYQdeLClmzN?si=b38bbaae8f9c476d

*available wherever you listen to podcasts, Stories Collective Ep. 78

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
Email [email protected] 

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Let’s face it. Even as Christians and followers of Jesus, we don’t always agree. There are different viewpoints within the Christian faith, and sometimes those differences can lead to confusion, tension, and even division. So how do we know what really matters? Does all theology carry the same weight?

In this 10th episode of Resident Strangers, Steve and Rich dig into those questions. We can study Scripture, wrestle with difficult questions, and do our best to understand what is true, but there are some things we simply won’t have complete answers to until we meet God face-to-face.

While there are many areas of theology where Christians may hold different views, Steve and Rich identify five foundational truths that shouldn’t be compromised. They talk through how we can have confidence in these truths while also learning how to thoughtfully navigate the areas where faithful Christians may disagree.

And ultimately, it’s not just about what we believe, but how we talk about what we believe. Steve, Rich, and Sarah encourage us to approach these conversations with kindness, humility, and grace. Truth matters, but the way we communicate it matters too.

We hope this episode gives you some practical encouragement as you navigate theological differences and helps you hold tightly to what matters most while giving grace in the areas where Christians may disagree.

One quick clarification: At the beginning of the episode, while sharing his story about EE, Steve meant to say “Moravian church” but mistakenly said “Mormon church.” He would not teach in a Mormon church, as they do not hold to the five fundamentals of historic Christian faith discussed in this episode. The teaching took place in a Moravian church. Thanks for listening and for understanding!

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement

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If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week's discussion on Resident Strangers starts with asking the question, "who is Jesus to you?" Was Jesus just a good teacher? A good man? Or was (and is He) more than that? In essence, was He a liar, lunatic or Lord? Rich takes us from the personal aspect of Jesus to the deeper theological reality. So much of what differentiates Christianity from other belief systems is what they say about Jesus and His identity - that's important! Rich even takes us into some explanation on how the Greek language helps us truly know who Jesus is and Steve brings it around to a practical, everyday knowledge. Steve and Rich both address controversies that exist about Jesus and His nature doing their best to give a coherent picture. Steve ends the conversation with some encouragement to continue seeking Jesus and drawing near to Him. Jesus understands where we are now. How amazing that we can continue to know Him in a personal way!

The Now Life podcast - https://www.dscchurch.com/the-now-life

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Tuesday is here which means it is time for another episode of Resident Strangers! This week Steve and Rich are diving into one of the most important points on our doctrinal statement (linked below) as they discuss who Jesus is. This is such an important topic to talk about because as Steve says if you get the truth of who Jesus is wrong you are going to get it all wrong. To begin, how do we understand the two natures of Jesus? Rich walks us through the Chalcedonian Statement that was created in 451 AD and why that was important for our faith history. Steve talks with us about how impactful it is that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. Ultimately, the incarnation of Jesus was not a temporary thing and Rich talks through how that affects our faith today. It is truly incredible what God was willing to do for us with the gift of His son Jesus. As you learn this week you will certainly be encouraged!

Chalcedonian Creed - https://www.ccel.org/creeds/chalcedonian-creed.html

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?
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Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

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Questions or comments? Email [email protected] 

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.