Sermon Notes

A woman, a child, and a great red dragon. Revelation 12 pulls back the curtain on the spiritual battle behind all of human history. In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, host Jay Strother and Brian Ball walk through Revelation 12:1-12, the Christmas story told from heaven's point of view. Satan is a powerful enemy, but he isn't all-powerful, and he was defeated at the cross. Jay and Brian look at what spiritual warfare means for everyday faith, why the dragon is still dangerous, and how God's people conquer him "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." In a world full of dragons, will you follow the Lamb?

The seals are opening. The four horsemen are riding. Should you be afraid? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, host Brian Ball and Hunter Melton walk through Revelation 6, where the Lamb opens the first six seals and the world asks, "Who can stand?" They unpack the counterfeit conqueror on the white horse, the realities of war, famine, and death, and the martyrs' cry of "How long?" Most of all, they show that judgment is held on a leash in the nail-scarred hand of Jesus. The right response to Revelation isn't fear but worship. It means building bigger tables instead of bigger bomb shelters, loving our neighbors well, and remembering that the day of salvation is now.

Who is worthy to open the scroll? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Senior Pastor Jay Strother and Brian Ball walk through Revelation 5. John weeps because no one in heaven or on earth can open the sealed scroll. Then an elder points him to the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and John turns to see a slain Lamb standing. Jay and Brian look at the Old Testament imagery behind the scenes, what the Greek word axios (worthy) tells us, and why all of heaven breaks out in a new song. Jay also shares how this passage gives him unshakable hope while he battles cancer, and how God keeps opening doors for him to share the gospel, even in the cancer clinic. Together, they talk about what this vision means for us today: hope that holds when fear feels real, holiness that sets us apart for a purpose, and a mission to carry the gospel to every tribe, language, people, and nation. Revelation isn't meant to scare us. It's meant to strengthen our faith in the King who's on His throne right now.

Before the book of Revelation gets to its seals, trumpets, and beasts, John sees one thing first: an occupied throne. In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, host Brian Ball and Campus and Teaching Pastor Aaron Bryant of The Church at Avenue South look at Revelation 4 and the throne room of heaven. They start with a quick tour of Revelation 1–3 and the letters to the seven churches, including what Ephesus can teach us about slowly drifting from our first love. Then they explain why persecuted believers needed to know that God, not Caesar, is in control. You'll hear what the jasper and carnelian stones say about God's character, why "holy, holy, holy" is the highest call to worship, and how the white robes of the redeemed point to the righteousness we receive through faith in Jesus. If you're carrying fear or uncertainty today, this conversation will help you look up and remember who's on the throne.

In this first episode of our new series on the Book of Revelation, host Brian Ball sits down with John Joseph, Campus and Teaching Pastor at the Church at Station Hill, for a verse-by-verse look at Revelation 1:1-8. Together they explain what it means that Jesus is "coming soon," the difference between kairos and chronos time, and why a book written to suffering first-century Christians still speaks hope into hard seasons today. Join us as we open Scripture together and consider what it truly means to worship the Christ these visions reveal.

In the final episode of the Chasing the Wind series, Jay Strother and Brian Ball close out the book of Ecclesiastes with a look at chapter 12, verses 9 through 14, the passage where Solomon lands on his final word after chasing wisdom, pleasure, and everything under the sun. Jay and Brian walk through ten takeaways from the whole series, touching on the connection between Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, the honesty of the book's hardest verses, and why every pursuit apart from God is structurally incapable of satisfying us. They talk candidly about time, rest, gratitude, and legacy, and land on Solomon's closing charge: fear God and keep His commandments, because in the end, that's the whole of it.

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother sits down with Brian Ball to continue their series through Ecclesiastes, Chasing the Wind: Finding What Lasts in a World That Doesn't. Together they dig into Ecclesiastes 11 and the phrase cast your bread upon the waters, exploring what it looks like to take active steps of faith even when we can't predict the outcome. From investing in people to giving generously to walking through hard callings, Jay and Brian talk honestly about trusting God with results that are His to give, not ours to guarantee. They also walk through a practical framework for wise decision-making rooted in Scripture, the Holy Spirit, godly community, and God-ordained circumstances. Whether you're facing a big decision or just learning to live with open hands, this conversation is a reminder that faithfulness, not certainty, is what God asks of us.

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball dig into Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and the truth that two is better than one. From bearing burdens and confessing sin to using our spiritual gifts, they explore why God designed us for biblical community — not as an optional add-on to the Christian life, but as one of the ways we bear His image and find real strength for the journey.

In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball continue the Ecclesiastes series "Chasing the Wind" by sitting with Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 and Solomon's words on a time for everything. They talk about the difference between chronos and kairos, why God builds rhythms like Sabbath into our lives, and what real repentance looks like when we're tired of chasing a clock we can't control. It's an honest conversation about learning to number our days, let go of the urge to be our own god, and find rest in a God who makes everything beautifully fitting in its time.

Solomon had more wealth, wisdom, pleasure, and power than anyone in history, and he still called life "meaningless." In this first episode of our new Ecclesiastes series, Chasing After the Wind, hosts Jay Strother and Brian Ball dig into Ecclesiastes 1 to unpack why the world's biggest promises — success, comfort, approval, and security — always leave us wanting more. They trace Solomon's story from faithful start to idolatrous drift, explain the Hebrew word hevel (often translated "vanity" or "futility"), and point to the one hope that doesn't fade under the sun: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether you're new to Ecclesiastes or have read it a dozen times, this conversation will help you see the book not as a threat, but as a gift.