Skeptics & Saints

What if the Church isn’t a social club, but a dangerous place where heaven breaks into earth? ⚡️🏛️

In this episode, we dive headfirst into Acts 5 and the unsettling story of Ananias and Sapphira to uncover three truths about the Holy Spirit: God’s presence is personal, powerful, and it now lives in His people. Why did God judge so suddenly? Why doesn’t He still? And what does deception have to do with death?

From Eden to the Temple to you, this episode reframes the Church as the new dwelling place of God, not metaphorically, but actually. When God’s presence moves in, things change. Fear awakens. Healing erupts. The Church expands.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
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YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
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🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
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📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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Is the Bible actually full of contradictions… or are we just bad readers? 🤔📖

From Judas’ death to faith vs. works, angels at the tomb, and Jesus’ words about His return, critics love to say Scripture doesn’t add up. But what if the tension isn’t proof of error, but an invitation to think deeper, read slower, and trust wiser? 🔍🔥

In this conversation, we define what a real contradiction actually is, walk through the most common examples people point to, and show how context, authorial intent, and ancient writing styles dissolve most “gotchas.” Faith doesn’t grow by ignoring hard texts, it grows by facing them honestly.

👉 Listen in, bring your doubts, and learn how to respond when someone says, “The Bible is full of contradictions.”

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
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📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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Real questions deserve real answers. 🔥📖

In this no-filter Q&A, Nolan and Skyler tackle the actual questions people are asking, not the safe ones. Why did our view on tithing genuinely change over time? 👀💰 Do aliens exist? 👽 What do you do when you’re faithful, disciplined, doing “all the right things”… but still don’t hear God’s voice? 😶‍🌫️ How does leadership and elder accountability actually work at The Garden? And yes, we go there, faith, politics, and whether Christianity equals voting Republican 🇺🇸✝️

This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and grounded in Scripture, not slogans. If you’ve ever felt tension between conviction, culture, and church, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen in, wrestle honestly, and keep asking better questions.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
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Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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Ever wondered what the book of Acts is actually doing from start to finish? 📖🔥

In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan and Skyler dive into Part 2 of our intro to Acts, unpacking how Acts 1:8 is not just a memory verse, it’s the built-in outline of the whole book. From Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth, we trace how persecution, revival, and one wild conversion (Saul ➝ Paul) turned the world upside down.

We talk mission, maps, riots, bacon, and why too few Christians are known for actually reaching lost people. 🌍

👉 Drop your favorite or most confusing passage in Acts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this with a friend who loves nerding out over the Bible. 

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
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📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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The Holy Spirit doesn’t fill us to sit still—He fills us to go. 🌍

Right before His ascension, Jesus gave a promise and a purpose: “You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses.” That same power that shook the early church still fuels believers today. But too many Christians live powerless lives because they’ve confused comfort for calling.

This episode unpacks what it really means to walk in the Spirit’s power—courage instead of fear, conviction instead of compromise, mission instead of maintenance. 💥

✨ You don’t just receive the Holy Spirit to feel Him; you receive Him to reveal Jesus.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
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Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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📖 What if the Book of Acts isn’t just history, it’s the blueprint for revival today?

In this first episode of a two-part deep dive, Nolan and Pastor Skyler crack open the Book of Acts to prepare for a new series at The Garden. This isn’t just an intro—it’s a compelling look at what made the early church powerful, messy, and unstoppable.

You’ll learn:

• Why Acts is the right book for this cultural moment
• The real identity of Theophilus (and how he’s like modern gospel patrons)
• How church persecution, holy chaos, and revival often go hand in hand
• What it cost (literally) to write the New Testament—and why giving still matters
• How Luke wrote with Spirit-filled precision and historic credibility

🎙 Whether you’re a Bible nerd, a church skeptic, or someone wrestling with your calling, this episode will ignite your vision for what the Church can be.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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Should Christians celebrate Halloween or is it demonic?

In this episode of Skeptics and Saints, Nolan and Skyler take a deep dive into the theology, history, and cultural meaning of Halloween. From ancient Roman festivals where Christians were killed for not bowing to false gods, to neighborhood trick-or-treating in Spider-Man costumes, the conversation spans everything from first-century martyrdom to modern-day conscience.

They unpack:
 • Why early Christians were called “atheists” 
 • The difference between spiritual, meaningful, and communal holidays
 • What to do when Christians disagree over participation
 • Whether celebrating Halloween compromises your witness or creates one
 • The dark side of legalism and disunity in the Church

Relevant Scripture:
1 Corinthians 8–10, Colossians 2:16–17, Romans 14, Ezekiel 37

Whether you’re lighting a candle for Reformation Day, carving pumpkins with your neighbors, or staying in with the lights off, this episode gives you a thoughtful, gospel-centered way to navigate the season.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
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Spotify: Listen Here

After a short break, Skeptics & Saints is back! 🙌 In this powerful episode, Nolan sits down with longtime friend Skyler Elmer, who just joined The Garden Church as a Teaching Pastor.

Skyler shares his incredible story — from being an atheist who mocked Christians, to finding faith, to becoming a pastor and teacher of God’s Word. Together, Nolan and Skyler reflect on their early days of basement Bible studies, hard lessons from ministry, and the importance of humility, prayer, and quick obedience in leadership.

They also unveil something big: The Garden’s new vision for an in-house Bible college and seminary — training disciples, pastors, and future church planters to handle God’s Word with both depth and devotion.

🔥 Topics Covered:
- Skyler’s journey from atheism to faith
- Lessons from ministry: humility, prayer, obedience
- Why The Garden is building an in-house seminary
- The danger of shallow theology & progressive drift
- How the Holy Spirit leads in real, tangible ways
- The future of biblical training in the local church

🙏 Pray For:
Skyler, Stephanie, and their kids as they settle into life and ministry at The Garden.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:30 AM | 11:00 AM  | 12:30 PM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here

⁉️ Yep, we’re asking the question: Who is the church really for? The seasoned saints? The skeptical outsider? 🤨⚡

This conversation will break down into three parts:
1️⃣ What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about building up the unbeliever
2️⃣ Why Spirit-filled and Bible-rooted aren't enemies but essential allies
3️⃣ How to invite your friends to church with confidence and compassion

In this episode, we dive deep into how church can be a space that speaks to both the convinced and the curious. 📖🔥

🎧 Tune in and let’s rethink how we do church—for the lost, the skeptical, and the called.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:45 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here

⁉️ Yep, we’re asking the question: Who is the church really for? The seasoned saints? The skeptical outsider? 🤨⚡

This conversation will break down into three parts:
1️⃣ What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about building up the unbeliever
2️⃣ Why Spirit-filled and Bible-rooted aren't enemies but essential allies
3️⃣ How to invite your friends to church with confidence and compassion

In this episode, we dive deep into how church can be a space that speaks to both the convinced and the curious. 📖🔥

🎧 Tune in and let’s rethink how we do church—for the lost, the skeptical, and the called.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:00 AM | 9:45 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ
Facebook: The Garden Church

🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here
 

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here
Spotify: Listen Here