Reverberate: A Berean Bible Church Podcast | Knoxville, TN

Title: Faith that Justifies
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Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.
Romans 1:17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Hebrews 10:38
but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” (ESV)
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The sermon titled “Faith that Justifies” explores the profound meaning of the phrase “The righteous shall live by faith” as found in Habakkuk 2:4 and echoed in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. Jed Gillis emphasizes that this phrase captures the core of the Gospel: justification through faith alone. In Habakkuk’s context, the prophet wrestled with God’s justice during a time of rampant evil and impending judgment. God’s response pointed to a profound truth—life and righteousness are not earned through human efforts but granted through faith.
Drawing on Paul’s writings, the sermon explains how faith, not works, establishes a right relationship with God. This faith is a reliance on Christ’s finished work, not on personal performance or adherence to the law. The righteousness God demands is the very righteousness He provides through Jesus. This liberates believers from the burdens of performance-based religion and the pride of self-reliance, offering rest in Christ’s sufficiency.
The sermon challenges listeners to examine their trust: Are they relying fully on Christ, or are they tempted to add their works to the Gospel? Faith, like a parachute, is only real when relied upon entirely. Ultimately, the message invites believers to find life, rest, and assurance in the beauty of the Gospel—Jesus’ righteousness, counted as theirs by faith.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Loved, Safe, and Thankful
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Psalm 118
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let Israel say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.”
Out of my distress I called on the LORD;
the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
All nations surrounded me;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
They surrounded me like bees;
they went out like a fire among thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off!
I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Glad songs of salvation
are in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
the right hand of the LORD exalts,
the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”
I shall not die, but I shall live,
and recount the deeds of the LORD.
The LORD has disciplined me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD;
the righteous shall enter through it.
I thank you that you have answered me
and have become my salvation.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
This is the LORD’s doing;
it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Save us, we pray, O LORD!
O LORD, we pray, give us success!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
We bless you from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God,
and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
up to the horns of the altar!
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever! (ESV)
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Jed Gillis explores Psalm 118, focusing on the steadfast love of God, the righteousness He provides, and the refuge He offers. The psalmist begins with a call to give thanks, grounded in the enduring and loyal love of God—a love that combines deep emotional delight with unbreakable commitment. This love, described as “hesed,” is not earned by human merit but flows from God’s goodness.
Gillis emphasizes that righteousness, as highlighted in the psalm, signifies a right relationship with God, made possible through Jesus, the cornerstone of salvation. True gratitude springs not from entitlement or self-righteousness but from recognizing our need for God’s grace and taking refuge in His love. Taking refuge is an active trust in God amidst distress, where believers find both safety and joy.
The psalmist’s declaration, “This is the day the Lord has made,” celebrates God’s perfect plan of salvation, reminding believers that every day is filled with His loyal love. Gillis calls listeners to embrace this love personally, take refuge in it, and overflow with gratitude, making Thanksgiving distinctly Christian. True thankfulness is rooted in the assurance of God’s enduring love, found through Christ.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Sundial faith in a stopwatch world: Faith that Asks | Habakkuk 1-2
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Habakkuk 1-2
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This sermon explores the prophet Habakkuk’s faith amid the turmoil of his time. Set against the backdrop of Judah’s decline under corrupt leadership and the rise of the ruthless Babylonian empire, the message highlights Habakkuk’s candid questions to God. Habakkuk wrestles with the apparent silence of a holy and just God, grappling with why evil prospers and justice seems delayed. Through God’s responses, we see a call to worship and trust in His sovereign plan, even when it unfolds in unexpected ways.
The sermon emphasizes three key lessons:
Faith Engages God: Genuine faith asks questions, seeking understanding while trusting in God’s character.
God’s Justice is Certain: Although delayed from a human perspective, God’s justice is inevitable, like the movement of a sundial. Evil sows the seeds of its own destruction, and God’s righteousness will prevail.
God’s Glory is Ultimate: Babylon’s arrogance contrasts with God’s enduring purpose to fill the earth with His glory, as waters cover the seas.
Through Habakkuk, we are called to live by faith, longing for God’s glory rather than our comfort, and trusting His timing with patient, expectant worship.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Arm Yourselves: A Conversation with Jake Bishop on Spiritual Formation and Discipline

Title: Teaching the Next Generation
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Matthew 6:9–13
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. (ESV)
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In his sermon “Teaching the Next Generation,” Jon Farra emphasizes the church’s duty to model and teach God’s truth, particularly through the Lord’s Prayer, as a foundational guide. Farra explores how this prayer outlines key aspects of our relationship with God: He is our Father who loves us, our holy King whose will is supreme, our Provider who meets our needs, our Redeemer who forgives us, and our Protector who guards us from evil. 
Drawing on passages like Psalm 145, Matthew 6, and 1 Thessalonians 5, Farra highlights that we are called to actively pass down these truths to the next generation by embodying prayer, gratitude, forgiveness, and holiness. He challenges the congregation to prioritize these God-given responsibilities over fleeting cultural trends, ensuring that children and youth grow up seeing genuine faith in action. Farra concludes that as we engage in this work, we align ourselves with God’s will, shaping future generations who value the eternal truths of the kingdom of God.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Called to Glory
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1 Peter 5:8–14
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ. (ESV)
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In his sermon on 1 Peter 5:8–14, Jed Gillis explores the profound truth of belonging to God and the implications this has for our lives, especially as we face challenges and spiritual opposition. He emphasizes that believers are called to be vigilant and firm in faith, knowing they have an enemy—Satan—who actively seeks to harm them, seducing, lying, and accusing them. However, Peter reassures his readers that the God of all grace will ultimately “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” them after a period of suffering. This assurance of God’s eternal power and faithfulness encourages believers to rest in God’s strength rather than their own.
Gillis highlights the relational aspect of God’s grace, which is experienced within the community of believers. Through the greetings from fellow Christians and Peter’s encouragement to “stand firm,” the sermon stresses that grace is shared and strengthened through fellowship. Believers are urged to resist the devil not by avoiding hardship but by standing firm in their faith and fully trusting God’s promises.
The sermon concludes with a call to worshipful humility, where believers surrender personal control and embrace God’s dominion. This surrender allows them to experience true peace, as they trust in God’s authority and steadfast commitment to their ultimate good. Through this passage, Gillis reminds listeners that belonging to God brings both profound responsibility and unshakable security, as God promises to uphold them and bring them into eternal glory with Christ.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: All-Powerful Care
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1 Peter 5:6–7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (ESV)
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In this sermon, Jed Gillis explores how humility and trust in God are deeply connected, using 1 Peter 5:6–7 as the foundation. True humility is not about comparing ourselves to others or thinking less of ourselves, but about recognizing God’s authority and submitting to His care. All people live under God’s mighty hand—either as protection or judgment—and pride distorts that relationship by tempting us to take control of what only God can manage.
Humility, Gillis explains, is demonstrated by “casting all your anxieties” on God. Holding onto worry is a subtle form of pride, a way of saying, “I must carry this burden myself.” Whether concerns are sinful fears or legitimate cares for others, believers are called to cast all their burdens on God, knowing He is both powerful and caring.
Worship plays a key role in humility, starving pride and fostering trust in God. Practices like prayer, Bible reading, and even everyday activities—like sleep or hobbies—can remind us of our limits and point to God’s sufficiency. Humility involves resting in the knowledge that God’s wisdom, power, and timing are perfect. It also means trusting that the same God who saved us through Christ’s sacrifice will care for us in all things.
Ultimately, humility is surrendering control and allowing God to reign as King, trusting that He cares deeply for us and will exalt us in His perfect time.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: Trusting Shepherds
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1 Peter 5:1–5
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (ESV)
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The sermon on 1 Peter 5:1–5, titled Trusting Shepherds by Jed Gillis, emphasizes the responsibility and character of church leaders and how trust in God transforms both leadership and followership. Elders, who are called to shepherd the church, must lead with humility, willingly, and eagerly—not for personal gain or power. Their role is to guide and care for others as examples, reflecting Christ, the chief Shepherd. This passage also reminds everyone—elders and church members alike—that leadership within the church involves serving others and entrusting their souls to God. In any capacity of influence, whether as a pastor, parent, or friend, believers are to shepherd others by pointing them to Jesus, trusting that He is the faithful Creator who sustains both leaders and followers. Humility before God and one another allows for leadership and submission to flourish in unity.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Title: In the Hands of God
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1 Peter 4:12–19
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (ESV)
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In this sermon on 1 Peter 4:12–19, Jed Gillis speaks about the Christian’s response to suffering and trials, highlighting trust in God as the foundation. He explains that suffering is inevitable in a fallen world, especially for followers of Christ. However, Peter calls believers not to be surprised by trials but to rejoice, as suffering for Christ connects us to His glory. Gillis stresses that Christians should not suffer due to sinful actions, but if they suffer for their faith, they are blessed because God’s Spirit rests upon them. The sermon focuses on entrusting our souls to God, who is faithful and sovereign, even when suffering seems overwhelming. Through suffering, God purifies, refines, and deepens our faith, shaping us to reflect Christ’s image. Instead of wallowing in self-pity or trying to defend ourselves, we are called to glorify God, trusting that He will uphold and protect our souls. The ultimate comfort is that our suffering is part of God’s will, with His good purposes guiding it, and we are in the hands of a faithful Creator.
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Berean Bible Church is a non-denominational church in East Knoxville, TN. We are grounded in the Word, celebrating the transformative power of the Gospel. Our community thrives on worship and mutual encouragement, fostering deep connections among members. Committed to our mission, we reach out with compassion and hope, reflecting God's glory throughout our city and beyond.
Learn more at berean.church.

Understanding First Peter 3: Submission, Leadership, and Christ's Sacrifice