Small Town Theologian

Steve Estes is the senior pastor of Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson, PA. He's been there for around 40 years. He obtained an undergrad degree from Columbia Bible College (now Columbia International University) and a post-grad degree from Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS). He's on the board of CCEF (Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation) and has taught a course on preaching at WTS. Besides being a pastor and speaker, Steve is an author of several books. His book writing began with his friendship with Joni Eareckson Tada. They were friends as teenagers and worked through God's sovereignty in Joni's paralysis. Joni liked the writing style of Steve's letters and they co-authored two books together. Steve is married to Verna and they have eight grown children and 16 grandchildren. Steve is among my favorite preachers. 

My family and I recently worshiped with Brick Lane Community Church on my sabbatical, and Steve preached a wonderful message on the importance of other Christians in your life. Please listen to this message titled Help with Being Holy: The Means of Grace: Other Christians - Hebrews 10:23-25.

Rest of Steve's Series on the Church: I Will Build My Church (Part B); I Will Build My Church (Part C); I Will Build My Church (Part D); I Will Build My Church (Part E)  

Books by Steve Estes: When God Weeps (with Joni Eareckson Tada); A Step Further (with Jonie Eareckson Tada); A Better December; Called to Die 

Steve's Website: steveestes.net

ALL SERMONS FROM OTHER PREACHERS AIRED ON SMALL TOWN THEOLOGIAN ARE USED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PREACHERS.

PLEASE LEAVE A SINCERE 5-STAR RATING IF YOU CAN. The church was from the beginning. Throughout history, God has been redeeming a people by Himself for Himself. To belong to Christ is to belong to Christ's church. The existence of the church is comforting because it reminds us that Christ is redeeming his people, gathering them, defending them, preserving them, protecting them, and ever loving and caring for them. The church is a beautiful and glorious thing.

Support: I don't ask for your money. I do ask that you TELL SOMEONE about the podcast and/or READ and pass on my books. This is a great help, and I hope an encouragement to you.

Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more.

Books: Predestined for Joy; The Heidelberg Catechism

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community.

Timothy Brindle is not only a hip-hop recording artist and author, he is the Assistant Pastor at Olive Street Presbyterian Church in Coatsville. His message from Psalm 42 has much to offer you and will be worth your time. Give Timothy your ear and find out more about him at timothybrindleministries.com. 

Children's Books from Timothy & Dr. Jonathan Gibson: The Acrostic of Salvation; The Acrostic of Jesus; The Acrostic of God (your kids can have fun rapping along, so get the albums as well)

Dope Songs from Timothy: The Wilderness; Death & Resurrection (Part 3) - Water Judgment; Bad Good Works    

Check out other churches in the Presbyterian Church in America.

ALL SERMONS FROM OTHER PREACHERS AIRED ON SMALL TOWN THEOLOGIAN ARE USED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PREACHERS.

PLEASE LEAVE A SINCERE 5-STAR RATING IF YOU CAN. It is not uncommon that professing Christians live estranged from local churches. They confess Christ and love for him, yet they do not submit themselves to a local church. Why is this? How could someone claim to love Christ while consciously and intentionally refusing to love the Bride of Christ? This series is meant to help you be more faithful, joyful, and helpful in your local church. 

Support: I don't ask for your money. I do ask that you TELL SOMEONE about the podcast and/or READ and pass on my books. This is a great help, and I hope an encouragement to you. 

Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more. 

Books: Predestined for Joy; The Heidelberg Catechism

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community.

In this episode, Peter Bell unpacks Galatians 1:1-10 for his first sermon at Santa Ana Reformed Church. The gospel is a simple message about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Lord. This gospel is the rock upon which the church stands. Tune in for Peter's encouragement from God's Word. 

Check out Santa Ana Reformed Church and listen to some more of Peter's sermons. If you're in the area, swing by and worship with them. Check out other churches in the United Reformed Churches in North America.

Also, check out the Guilt Grace Gratitude podcast with Peter Bell and Nick Fullwiler. 

ALL SERMONS FROM OTHER PREACHERS AIRED ON SMALL TOWN THEOLOGIAN ARE USED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE PREACHERS.

I think we all long to truly rest, but do we know how? Do we know how to use the Lord's Day to maximize our comfort and rest in Christ? Perhaps many of our societal problems would be diminished if Christians knew how to truly rest, how to draw more comfort from the Lord's Day. Maybe God is calling you to reevaluate how you use the Lord's Day and how to better use it. 

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! PLEASE LEAVE A SINCERE 5-STAR RATING IF YOU CAN. I'd certainly appreciate it.

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

Growing up Mennonite, I was a bit nervous as a kid about the potential of ending up in court and needing to swear an oath on the Bible. What would I do? Mennonites don't take oaths. Or do they? Tune in to think through the topic of Christians swearing lawful oaths. If you're an Anabaptist or Mennonite, I'd love to hear from you. Are you compelled by the other Scriptures that speak to oaths?  

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! PLEASE LEAVE A SINCERE 5-STAR RATING IF YOU CAN. I'd certainly appreciate it.

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

I've encountered Christians who don't seem to realize they are blaspheming God. They use God's majestic name in casual and trivial ways, and they don't seem to know the seriousness of this sin. I've done it before, and God has helped me be more sensitive to this. How do you use God's name? Are you confident in how God wants you to use His name? Tune in. 

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! PLEASE LEAVE A SINCERE 5-STAR RATING IF YOU CAN. I'd certainly appreciate it. 

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) Why is using God's name in vain so serious? (2) Why do you think God ordered the death penalty for blasphemers in Israel? (3) List some ways you can honor God's name. (4) What does the third commandment tell us to put off and put on? 

Considering many things like the popularity of The Chosen, Christmas traditions, children's Sunday School curricula, and religious jewelry, it is obvious that many Christians believe it's good to depict Jesus. But has the church in recent years carefully considered the meaning and extent of the second commandment? Has the church considered its Christology carefully enough? Is the church remembering the ancient heresies of Nestorianism and Monophysitism? The church needs to revisit the second commandment and our doctrine of Christ.     

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! Please leave a sincere 5 star rating if you would.

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) If you believe Jesus Christ is true God and true and righteous man, what Biblical argument would you make to justify making images of Jesus? (2) Do images of Jesus help people rightly know God in ways that Scripture does not? (3) Considering the ancient heresy of Nestorianism separates the two natures of Jesus and makes them two persons, how might images of Jesus encourage Nestorianism in the mind and worship of Christians? (4) Are there any examples of artists making God/Jesus in their own image? 

What does "Love is love" mean? Is love something that our culture truly understands? Considering we live in a secular society where God is not regarded as truth, many are confused about true love. Tune in to join me in thinking about true love as it relates to God's law. 

Please find "Small Town Theologian" on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Overcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, etc., and SUBSCRIBE. This will ensure you get the latest episode delivered directly to you! Please leave a sincere 5 star rating if you would.

Books: To support Small Town Theologian, head to my Amazon authors page HERE and buy some books to read and give away.

Blog: smalltowntheologian.org.

Associations: Society of Reformed Podcasters & Christian Podcast Community. Check out other Christian and Reformed podcasts.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR FAMILY WORSHIP: (1) What happens in people's lives when they live not by God's definition of love explained in His law but when they live according to their own definition of love? (2) How would you define hatred, and where do you see people hating others today? (3) Why was Jesus the most loving man ever hated so much by so many? (4) Why should our thoughts about true love always include God's law?