The Austin Stone Podcast

What lovely song or poet could depict
the love for which humanity does thirst?
For man’s descriptions try but still restrict
the boundless love with which God loved us first.

A million books a million pages long
would fail to tell in full the love that’s come.
Take ev’ry word in thought, in print, in song,
the Word made flesh is greater than their sum.

Eternal God appeared in humble mode:
the needless one in form of helpless child.
His ev’ry breath a step along the road
which finds its end at majesty reviled.

No greater love can any of us know
than Jesus Christ who gave Himself in death.
The only measures adequate to show
His perfect love, its height and depth and breadth.

The love that all words fail to fully frame
is manifested here in Jesus’ name.

There is genuine joy that transcends circumstances.
Like the flame of a fire that flitters and dances
in spite of the gales that threaten its blaze,
a joy inextinguishable all of our days.

Where could this endless rejoicing be found?
Is it somewhere within, buried deep down?
Would it be foolish or wise to presume
that the passing of time makes our happiness bloom?

No, we look to the child chosen and cherished
born to die that His people not perish.
We look to the one who endured such a loss,
who for joy set before Him suffered the cross.

Joy inexpressible only in Jesus.
He finds us in sorrowful shackles and frees us.
He is acquainted with all of our sadness
and turns all our mourning to glorious gladness.

Look and you’ll see Him, just open your eyes.
Seek and you’ll find Him, delight will arise.
He is here. He has come. Let rejoicing abound.
For He is where joy at its fullest is found.

Ross Lester discusses Luke 2:22-35, examining the salvation and faith of Simeon upon Jesus’ arrival.

Chaos rips and ravages
the fearful, anxious heart.
A war that wages, endless
and tears the self apart.

Friends and family, strangers, neighbors
poised at odds opposed.
At worst, attempts to reconcile
ignored. At best, disposed.

Greater still, hostility
stands towering between
the sin-filled man and Holy God,
the traitor and the King.

The world awaits with anxious pause
for rest and restoration.
Yet perfect peace could not prevail
without a confrontation.

A son was sent through virgin’s womb
to pay the ransom’s cost.
The Righteous One would buy our peace
by blood of His own cross.

Our peace has come to dwell with us
His life and death to bring
the sin-filled back to Holy God,the traitor to the King.

Friends and family, strangers, neighbors
have peace in which to live.
For God Himself has died to prove
His enemies forgiv’n.

While chaos rips and ravages,
we see His plan unfurled.
The Prince of Peace declares, “Take heart,
I’ve overcome the world.”

Matt Blackwell explores Luke 1:39–45, examining Elizabeth’s reaction to Jesus’ miraculous conception.

When life is not perfect, in order, or clean
what lifts our eyes whenever we fall?
There's something more, beyond what is seen
for hope that is seen is not hope at all.

What gives us hope amidst life’s despairs
and grief that comes with them?
None but the one who takes all our cares
the truest, most faithful friend.

For we have seen what can’t be seen.
This hope, He has a name
Jesus Christ the King of Kings.
In death, he bore our shame.

The God of hope has come to us
and as we trust in Him,
the Holy Spirit fills us up
and brings our hope to brim.

The image of the unseen God arrived in flesh to show
He is the brighter day to come. He alone, our hope.

Ross Lester examines Mary’s response to the news of Jesus’ arrival using Luke 1:26-37.

Will Bostian explores Hebrews 11:5-6 and Enoch’s walk with God.

Ross Lester walks through Hebrews 11:4, exploring Abel’s radical faith in God.

Halim Suh leads us in our continued exploration of Hebrews; this sermon covers Hebrews 11:1-3.