Southland Christian Church

Are you living like you were rescued just to sit back in a gallery, or are you ready to join Jesus on His active rescue mission?

This week on Off Script, Neil Gregory sits down with Scott Hatfield to dive deeper into Ephesians 2 and unpack what it means to step into our true identity in Christ. The guys discuss how we aren't just sick in our sins - we were completely dead until grace brought us to life. Scott shares personal stories of people who persistently pursued him through years of hesitation, as well as the heartbreaking urgency of sharing the Gospel with those we love. This conversation is a powerful reminder that every believer is equipped and called to step out of their comfort zone to bring hope into dark places.

The Challenge This week, start each day with a posture of "Yes," asking God to show you who needs His hope and grace. Identify one person in your life you've been hesitant to reach out to, push past the awkwardness, and take a bold step to share your story or invite them into community.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Hatfield

What We Discuss

• Unpacking Ephesians 2 and why Paul's expository flow makes it so compelling to preach

• Understanding why we are not merely sick in our sin, but spiritually dead until Christ resurrects us

• Why sin thrives in darkness and the freedom that comes from speaking our struggles out loud into the light

• Shifting from a passive mindset to recognizing that believers are part of Jesus' active rescue party

• "You are not rescued to hang in a gallery; you are to go into all the world and display what Jesus has done."

• Scott's personal experience of Chris Johnstone patiently inviting him to church for years despite repeated rejections

• How Rick and Linda Johnson persistently showed up as spiritual parents during chaotic moments in Scott's youth

• Scott sharing the emotional memory of apologizing to and sharing the Gospel with his brother shortly before his passing

• Overcoming common excuses like "I don't know enough" or "that's for someone else" when called to step into holy conversations

• Scott's childhood story of his father choosing healing over punishment and how it mirrors God's heart in John 3:17

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About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 2

Sin is terminal. Grace is a gift.

Scott Hatfield dives into Ephesians 2 to unpack our identity by grace through faith in Jesus. Paul begins with the heavy reality of sin—it is universal, terminal, and separates us from a Holy God. Yet the power of the Gospel is found in two words: "But God." Because of His immense mercy and love, salvation is a free gift given by grace through faith, not earned by works. God created us as His masterpiece, not to sit on a shelf, but to step out into the world as part of His rescue party. Give God your "yes" and step into the good works He has prepared for you. Wherever you are, whatever you've done, God will meet you here.

Are you tired of trying to define your own worth, or are you ready to rest in who God says you actually are?

This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott launch a brand new series on identity by diving into Ephesians 1 and the powerful reality of adoption in Christ. The guys break down what it means to be chosen and adopted into God's family, exploring how the absence of a strong earthly father often drives us to search for identity in all the wrong places. From the chaotic background of ancient Ephesus to the creepiness of Pleasure Island in Pinocchio, this conversation challenges us to stop running after temporary idols and step into the full assurance, grace, and inheritance we have in our Heavenly Father.

The Challenge This week, audit where you are seeking your sense of identity and validation. When you feel tempted to define yourself by your performance, approval, or past mistakes, pause and remind yourself who you are, whose you are, and what you have in Christ.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Nickell

What We Discuss

• Scott hosting solo with Aaron and learning how much harder it is when you lose your train of thought in a two-person setup • The historical and spiritual background of Ephesus, described as a mix between Las Vegas and New Orleans • Scott's personal story of his "Papa" calling him a "poor little orphan boy" and how earthly fathers shape our view of God • Addressing "father wounds" and how even a bad earthly father gives us a framework for what a good father should be • Why humans are not self-defining creatures and how we look to outside inputs like Pinocchio's Pleasure Island or gangs for identity • Unpacking Ephesians 1 to answer the three core identity questions: Who am I? Whose am I? and What do I have? • Why "predestination" is a Bible word we shouldn't fear, and why intramural theological debates shouldn't distract from the mission • The sports fandom "liturgy" at Kentucky football games versus our willingness to express awe and worship toward God • Shifting from the "Prodigal Son" to the "Prodigal Father" in Luke 15 and why God's grace is far more lavish than our sin • Reaching people in the Bible Belt who may have attended church their whole lives but have never actually "come home" to Jesus

--- About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 1

When you don't know who you are, whose you are, and what you have, you will go searching for all those answers in all the wrong places, from all the wrong people. Scott walks us through Ephesians 1 as we kick off our new series on Identity. We often default to functioning like spiritual orphans, trying to satisfy our souls through temporary pleasure, performance, or self-righteousness. But in Christ, God defines who we are as saints, claims whose we are as His adopted children, and grants us an eternal inheritance. Our Prodigal Father extends lavish grace to welcome us home.

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 2 Our only hope is in the finished work of Jesus that is only available by grace through faith. Aaron Brockett walks us through Ephesians 2:8-10 as we learn to be a church that extends grace generously. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, regardless of who you are, what you've done, or what's been done to you. We are not saved by good works, but saved for them. Because we have received God's radical grace, we are called to be conduits who extend that same grace to others.

Are you treating the hope of the world like an urgent life-or-death truth, or are you holding back out of fear that things might get awkward?

This week on Off Script, Neil is joined by guest teacher Ben Foote to unpack what it practically looks like to speak truth unashamedly. They walk through the book of Romans to explain the vital difference between cultural lifestyle choices and the capital-G Gospel, emphasizing that sharing your faith isn't about winning online arguments or breaking down complex theology. The conversation offers a refreshing perspective on overcoming the fear of social awkwardness, recognizing everyday openings in relationships, and understanding why every believer has a story worth telling.

The Challenge This week, audit how you approach sharing your faith. Instead of waiting for a perfect, cinematic moment, pray for discernment to spot simple, everyday openings in your normal conversations to share how Jesus is actively working in your life.

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Ben Foote

What We Discuss

• Why reading the book of Romans straight through in one sitting builds a deeper awe for the Gospel

• The crucial distinction between the capital-G Gospel of salvation and lowercase-g Biblical commands

• How to naturally look for relational openings to share how Jesus has impacted your life

• Why sharing your experience with Jesus should feel as natural as recommending your favorite restaurant or hobby

• The trap of confusing conservative cultural topics with the soul-saving message of Jesus

• Why expecting non-believers to love the commands of the Kingdom before knowing the King puts the cart before the horse

• Treating the message of Christ as an indisputable fact of life rather than a mere lifestyle choice

• Practical wisdom for parents on creating open, safe dialogue with kids about tough cultural topics

• Navigating the personal fear of being labeled "weird" or wanting people to like you when sharing truth

• Debunking the myth of the "boring testimony" and realizing that gradual heart transformation is a story worth sharing

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About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Romans 1

Only the Gospel has the power to save anyone and everyone who ends up believing in it.

Ben Foote walks us through Romans 1 as we discuss the Gospel and what it means to speak truth unashamedly. The Gospel is an indisputable fact, but sometimes we treat it like a lifestyle choice. Sin is a terminal disease affecting everyone, and Jesus is the only cure. You are God's Plan A to share the Gospel with the people in your life.

Are you sitting on the sidelines shouting a war cry, or are you actually ready to step onto the battlefield and fight for what matters?

This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott dive into the story of David and Goliath to kick off a new series on Southland's core values, starting with what it truly means to "worship defiantly." The guys discuss why true worship is so much more than just singing songs on Sunday - it is a bold, defiant response in the middle of life's brutal battles . From calling out the dangerous misuse of "nuance" as an excuse for disobedience to exploring how David's wilderness preparation positioned him to take action , this conversation challenges us to align with God's authority and stop playing nice with culture .

The Challenge: This week, audit the battles you are facing and ask yourself: Am I asking if God is on my side, or am I actively aligning myself with His side? Identify one area in your life - whether in your family, career, or personal faith - where you have been shouting a war cry from the sidelines, and take one bold, tangible step of action to stand up for God's truth .

Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Nickell

What We Discuss

• Why the story of David and Goliath is the ultimate illustration of defiant worship

• Moving beyond "cafeteria Christianity" and the necessity of aligning with God's authority

• Why the word "nuance" is often used as a modern excuse to justify clear disobedience

• How King Saul went "soft" by protecting his comfort instead of fighting what needed to be fought

• Unpacking the myth of atheism and why every human heart is designed to worship something

• The vital distinction between worldly "niceness" and biblical kindness as a fruit of the Spirit

• Why talking a big game about leadership, parenting, or faith doesn't replace taking real initiative

• Malcolm Gladwell's perspective on David's tactical advantage and why David's true distinction was stepping out in faith

• How living in a "negative world" requires us to speak truth unashamedly while extending grace generously

• Finding defiant hope in Jesus as our ultimate champion who makes us more than conquerors in dark seasons

⸻

About Southland Christian Church

Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously.

To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: 1 Samuel 17

Defiance without discernment is dangerous.

Scott guides us through 1 Samuel 17 as we look at the story of David and Goliath. In a world that often calls evil good and good evil, we are called to discern the times and boldly stand in opposition to the enemy. Goliath claimed defiance against men, but David discerned that he was defying the living God. God has already secured the victory. Through Jesus, our champion, we are more than conquerors. No matter the brutality of the battle, we have a bigger and better king who will see us through it.