Regularly attending and being a part of a local church seems like a no brainer for a Christ follower, right? Unfortunately, it can no longer be assumed that someone who follows Christ and calls themself a Christian is a part of a local church and actively attends. You might be shocked as Steve begins the episode with some statistics about how church attendance has changed over the years. What are the positives and negatives of participating with a church through a live stream? It leads to a greater question, what exactly is the purpose of church outside of the weekend service? Isolation has been an epidemic in our country. Is it possible that a lack of commitment and involvement with a church could be contributing to that? Rich brings up the point that if you read the New Testament and look for all of the instructions given on how to live the Christian life it is almost always centered on the local church. Our prayer is that wherever you're listening you have a church that you're connected with. Though Steve, Rich and Sarah count it a privilege to connect with you through this podcast remember that podcasts and online video content could never replace the impact of a local church. We hope this episode encourages and challenges you!

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The practice of communion is being discussed on Resident Strangers today. Steve, Rich and Sarah all share their personal experiences with communion growing up before getting into what the practice is and what it means for believers. 1 Corinthians 11 is a central passage on communion. The practice of communion was first introduced on the night that Jesus was betrayed. Why is it something that Christ followers still practice? Simply, it is a practice that is done in remembrance of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection while also looking forward to Jesus' return. Churches differ in the frequency of taking communion but how should someone posture their heart so that the taking of communion is not reduced to a routine? It is important to remember that the practice is something that should be done all together and not alone. It is about community which is even seen in the word "communion." A humbleness of the heart is crucial when taking the elements. However it is taken it is important to remember the seriousness of Christ's sacrifice. With all of this in mind, should someone who has not placed their faith in Jesus practice communion? Steve and Rich answer this and emphasize the importance of remembering Christ's sacrifice not just through communion but regularly in the walk of a Christian.

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How do you view the person who was once a follower of Jesus but their life no longer reflects that? Is it possible for someone to truly know another person's standing before God? Has their salvation been lost? Were they never saved to begin with? Rich begins with a clarification on how to think about these particular issues, specifically highlighting personal salvation first. Steve reminds that it is not someone's job to judge someone's salvation simply by what is seen. Ultimately a believer should be proclaiming truth whether the people around them are saved or not. This does not mean that believers should be constantly listing out and confronting other people's sin but that the truth of who Jesus is should be consistently shared. These conversations about personal sin are much better on a personal level when there is a relationship that has been established. Like many things there can be nuances in how the conversations happen and what is confronted. 1 Corinthians 5 gives a lot of wisdom on how to deal with this. Steve and Rich get into specifics on how to deal with sin issues with fellow believers. Speaking the truth in love is a major key whether dealing with a fellow believer or someone in the world. All of this goes to show just how incredibly important it is so be actively involved in a church community.

The Bondage Breaker by Neil T. Anderson

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Is being a "good person" enough for salvation? What does someone have to do to become a child of God? Is it faith and faith alone? Or is it faith and something else? Steve starts right off the bat by reminding that salvation is by grace alone. Titus 3:5-7 is very clear about this. Rich reminds us that God gives us the gift of salvation even though no one can truly earn it. Both hosts give a lot of scripture and explanation to show that salvation is by grace alone. You may want to make note of all the scripture references mentioned! How do faith and repentance fit into this? What does repentance mean? Steve and Rich spend time breaking down repentance, especially when considering faith and works. A major thing it comes down to is the perspective on who Jesus is and who we are in light of who Jesus is. If works are not what saves us, then where do works fit into the context of the Christian life? Steve and Rich discuss this and so much more. Make sure you come back for part 2 next week!

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What happens when political issues become theological issues? Should a Christian worldview be considered when looking at policies that are presented? With the U.S, Presidential election happening in a month Steve and Rich wanted to take time to talk through how a Christian should think through political issues. The important thing to remember is that our citizenship is not in this world or even in America but in Christ's kingdom. In America we are blessed with the ability to vote, and Christians should be good stewards of that privilege. Steve and Rich talk a lot about how to recognize a believer's place in this world while getting involved in certain politic issues. It is important to assess the worldview that is behind policies that are presented. A key thing for all believers to take hold of is to commit to speaking the truth in love and kindness, even showing love to those who might disagree. Sarah gives some challenges on how Christians should interact on social media when it comes to politics. Rich points out that Christians should actually be the least anxious about elections because of the knowledge of God's sovereign hand. We must always understand that our hope and our confidence is in God - not in any politician or political power.

Vote NO on Prop 139 (Arizona)

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Does everything happen for a reason? It is important for Christians to understand the problem of evil because so often it is what the world uses to attempt to disprove God and who He is. In a lot of ways these two episodes on the problem of evil provide an apologetics approach to this issue. Let this be a resource for you in discussions you are having with those who do not know Christ or do know Christ but have a severe misunderstanding. Rich takes a good portion of the episode to bring us into some different arguments and how to think through them using scripture. A specific argument covered is The Greater-Good defense. An important thing to understand is the difference between natural suffering and the consequences of sin. As we've said before, there is a lot discussed in this episode that is difficult to sum up here. Make sure you listen and let us know what you think!

The Stories Collective podcast

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Natural disasters, disease, terrorist attacks, criminal activity, injustice - why does God allow these things to happen? Why doesn't God intervene and do something about the evil experienced daily? What does it mean for God to be all good? Rich gets philosophical but breaks down why this problem is often so difficult to accept and understand. Steve states that God is sovereign and overall, having the ability to do whatever He wants but He also has the ability to allow man's choices to play themselves out. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God does not wish for any to perish but that all would reach repentance. God wants to be in relationship with those He created. This is an episode you may want to take notes on and come back to again later. There is a lot packed in and Rich and Steve will continue the discussion on the problem of evil next week. 

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What do you do when suffering just doesn't make sense? What about suffering that seems to have no clear reason? Does everything happen for a reason? How do you support someone who is going through an intense time of suffering? As Steve and Rich continue the conversation on suffering from last week, they do their best to address and answer these questions. They spend a few minutes on the idea of there being a "reason" or even a "punishment" seen in suffering. It can be incredibly damaging when believers try to tell others what the reason for their suffering might be. Rich talks about the suffering seen in Luke 13:1-5 and how Jesus responds. Steve and Rich both share more personal stories this week as they talk about the theology of suffering. The phrase "God will never give you more than you can handle" is one that is problematic. Many things are addressed in this episode, but the key takeaway is that no matter what God will be in the midst of suffering, He is the God of all comfort. He will never leave or forsake. 

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 100
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 45
*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Trials of Many Kinds by Rita Springer + Brooke Ligertwood

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Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is God doing this to me? This might be the most vulnerable, real and raw episode of Resident Strangers yet as Steve and Rich do their best to address these questions. This conversation begins a series of episodes on suffering while being under God's sovereignty. A key mindset to have when thinking through this is remembering that as believers this world is not our home. One day we will experience perfection, but that day has not yet come. Steve brings up the story of Cain and Abel to talk through how God's sovereign hand was present in the midst of tragedy and sin. Another big factor is remembering that no matter what happens believers are called to represent Jesus and live like Him. That can be easy to understand but harder to do. Rich and Steve both reference a lot of scripture passages to support these ideas while also speaking from the heart. They each share very personal stories about suffering in their own lives. Thankfully God is at work in both the good and the bad; He can redeem any tragedy. Steve, Rich and Sarah pray this conversation speaks to you right where you are.

Steve Engram's testimony on The Stories Collective, Episode 100

Rich Holland's testimony on The Stories Collective podcast, Episode 45

Trials of Many Kinds by Rita Springer + Brooke Ligertwood

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What are spiritual gifts and what are they for? What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift? Today's episode is a continuation of the conversations from the last few weeks. Steve defines a spiritual gift as a special enabling that a Christian is given to primarily serve the body of Christ and to build up the body of Christ. Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 are where much of the understanding about this comes from. Each believer in Christ has been given a spiritual gift so that the person can function in a local body of believers for Christ's honor and glory. With this in mind it is important to know that no gift or person is better or more important than another. Every part is needed for the health of the body of believers. Rich describes it beautifully by saying that each believer is a gift to the Church. What is the connection between a spiritual gift and a natural talent? Steve and Rich break that down and give insight into how to use natural abilities for the Church. An easy way to sum up this whole episode would be to say that if you have placed your faith in Christ when the Holy Spirit came to reside in you, He gave you a spiritual gift. Exercising this gift in the body of Christ is so important, it is the main purpose. It is so important that every Christian grasps and understands this. 

S.H.A.P.E. Test 

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