The Gospel Forum

Why do I keep falling into the same sin? Does feeling guilty mean I’ve truly repented? What should I do when I fail again?In this episode of The Gospel Forum, Dan, Shawn, and Micah discuss the struggle with recurring sin and the hope believers have in Jesus Christ. Together, they explore honest confession, the difference between worldly sorrow and godly repentance, and practical steps toward lasting change.We discuss:• Why hiding from God only deepens our struggle• How Christ’s work as our Advocate gives us confidence to come to Him• Why we cannot pay for our sins through good works or self-punishment• The difference between regretting consequences and truly turning from sin• How a healthy fear of God changes our response to temptation• The importance of accountability and help from the local church• How repentance leads us into worshipYour sin is serious, but Christ’s mercy is abundant. When you fall, run to Him.Scripture discussed: 1 John 1:9–2:2; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Corinthians 7:10–11; Psalm 51; Genesis 39:9; Colossians 3:5–6.Learn more about The Gospel Forum:https://thegospelforum.comQuestions? Email [email protected] for more conversations about doctrine, the local church, and everyday Christian living.Keep on reforming!

Why did I react like that? Why do I keep getting angry, defensive, or resentful?Our reactions reveal what we really love. In this fourth episode of Transformed, Dan Sardinas, Shawn Otto, and Micah Sandowich explore the desires beneath our behavior—and how the gospel changes us from the inside out.From sibling arguments to an honest driving confession from Dan, we discuss how everyday situations expose our love of comfort, control, convenience, and being right. Lasting change requires addressing those desires, taking responsibility for our sin, and learning to love God and our neighbors.In this episode:• Why we cannot blame others for our sinful reactions• How to identify the desires beneath anger and conflict• Why treating the symptoms leaves the root untouched• What it means to put off sin and put on Christ• How God uses the local church to help us growKey Scriptures: James 4:1; James 1:14–15; Psalm 139:23–24; Colossians 3:12–14; Ephesians 4:22–24; Romans 13:14.JOIN US: TEACH US TO PRAYThe Gospel Forum Conference | February 27, 20279 a.m.–approximately 4 p.m. | Bradenton/Sarasota, Florida areaJoin us for a day of biblical teaching on prayer and opportunities to pray together.Early bird registration:Adults: $30 (regular price $50)Teens ages 13–17: $15Children ages 12 and under: $5Lunch, light breakfast items, refreshments, and resources are included, with giveaways throughout the day.Register and learn more:https://thegospelforum.comThe Gospel Forum is a collective of Reformation-minded Christians who care about doctrine and the local church. Subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast app.Keep on reforming.#TheGospelForum #Transformed #ChristianGrowth #Sanctification

Every sin begins, at some level, with believing something that is not true about God, ourselves, or the world around us.From the very beginning, Satan's strategy has been to question God's Word: **“Did God really say?”** Adam and Eve believed the lie, distrusted the goodness of God, and chose what seemed better to them.We are still tempted to do the same thing.In Part 3 of our **Transformed** series, Dan Sardinas is joined by Aaron Anderson to discuss how Christians can learn to recognize the lies that shape our fears, desires, decisions, and understanding of ourselves.The world constantly disciples us. It tells us to follow our hearts, believe in ourselves, pursue whatever makes us happy, and define our own identity. Yet Scripture gives us a completely different standard for determining what is true.In this episode, we discuss:• Why sin is ultimately connected to unbelief• Satan's question: “Did God really say?”• Why lies are often attractive and convenient• How our desires make certain lies easier to believe• The danger of allowing happiness to determine right and wrong• How culture and entertainment quietly catechize us• The lie that “you deserve whatever makes you happy”• Why “believe in yourself” is an inadequate Christian message• Where our true worth and identity come from• The danger of comparison and exaggerated self-importance• Why ordinary faithfulness matters more than worldly success• Jesus' response to temptation: **“It is written”**• How Scripture renews our minds and develops discernment• Why removing a lie is not enough—we must replace it with truth• What it means to take every thought captive to ChristThe answer to deception is not simply trying harder to avoid bad ideas. We need minds saturated with the Word of God.When you recognize a lie, don't merely say, “That's not true.” Replace it with what **is** true. Meditate on God's Word. Submit your feelings, ambitions, desires, assumptions, and thoughts to Scripture.Our feelings are not the standard.Our desires are not the standard.Our dreams are not the standard.**God's Word is truth.**Don't be discipled by the world. Be transformed by the Word.**Scriptures discussed:** Genesis 3; Psalm 1; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 12:1–2; Philippians 1:9–11; Ephesians 4; John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 10:5.Learn more, read the latest Gospel Forum articles, and listen to previous episodes at **TheGospelForum.com**.If you are wrestling with sin, confusion, or questions about the Christian life, we encourage you to seek the wisdom and shepherding of the elders of your local church.#TheGospelForum #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #Discernment #Sanctification #ReformedTheology

Many Christians know they have been forgiven, yet still live as though their past, their feelings, their failures, or their temptations define who they are.In Part 2 of our *Transformed* series, we ask a foundational question: *Who are you now that you are in Christ?*Scripture does not tell Christians to construct an identity for themselves. Our identity is something we receive from God. We have been united with Christ, forgiven, made new, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and freed from sin’s dominion.That changes the way we deal with shame, guilt, comparison, temptation, legalism, and even those sins that seem impossible to overcome.Romans 6 reminds us that the Christian was once a slave to sin—but that is no longer who we are. We have a new Master. Sin may still tempt us, but it no longer owns us.In this episode, we discuss:• The difference between our *condition* and our *position* in Christ• Why the world encourages us to construct our own identity• “Gospel amnesia” and forgetting who we are in Christ• How Christians should deal with shame over their past• Why “I can’t forgive myself” misunderstands the gospel• The danger of allowing feelings to determine what we believe• Why comparison can lead to either pride or despair• What Romans 6 teaches about being dead to sin and alive to God• Why Christians should not identify themselves by their sin• The penalty, power, and presence of sin• The difference between legalism and antinomianism• How our identity in Christ changes the way we fight temptation• Practical examples involving money, lust, contentment, and stewardshipThe question we leave you with is simple:*What is the one sin you have been treating as though it still owns you?*If you are in Christ, sin is no longer your master. Remember who you are—and live from that new identity.*Scriptures discussed:* Romans 6; Romans 7:7, 12; Ephesians 2:4–6; Colossians 2:13–14; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26–27.Learn more, read our latest articles, and listen to other episodes at **TheGospelForum.com**.If this conversation raises questions or exposes an area where you are struggling, we encourage you to speak with the elders and pastors of your local church.#TheGospelForum #IdentityInChrist #Sanctification #ChristianLiving #reformedtheology

How does a Christian actually change?Is transformation simply a matter of trying harder, developing better habits, finding accountability, or learning to accept yourself as you are? In this episode of The Gospel Forum, Dan, Shawn, and Micah begin a new series on biblical transformation by going back to the foundation: **regeneration**.Before genuine spiritual change can take place, God must first give us life. Drawing especially from Ezekiel 36, Titus 3, John 3, and Ephesians 2, we discuss what it means to receive a new heart and the Holy Spirit—and why true Christian transformation is much deeper than outward behavior modification.We also talk about how the Spirit changes our desires and affections, the relationship between regeneration and sanctification, why obedience still matters, and how God uses the ordinary means of grace to grow His people.**In this episode:**• Why self-help and willpower cannot produce true spiritual change• What regeneration means• The difference between outward behavior modification and heart change• Ezekiel 36 and the promise of a new heart• The heart of stone and the heart of flesh• How the Holy Spirit changes our desires and affections• Why sin is ultimately a matter of misplaced worship• The Christian’s responsibility in sanctification• Lazarus as a picture of new life leading to a new walk• The importance of Scripture, prayer, the local church, the ordinances, and repentance• What to do when you feel like you simply cannot change**Scripture discussed:**Ezekiel 36:22–27John 3Ephesians 2Titus 3:4–6Ephesians 2:10Questions or comments? Email us (mailto:[email protected])**Subscribe for more conversations about doctrine, the local church, and living the Christian life.0:00 Introduction — Shawn Is Back!3:04 Why Is Change So Hard?7:42 How Does God Actually Change a Person?8:14 Regeneration: From Death to Life12:33 Ezekiel 36 — A New Heart and a New Spirit15:31 Heart of Stone vs. Heart of Flesh18:17 How Does Regeneration Happen?20:18 Regeneration Before Sanctification21:19 The Holy Spirit Changes Our Affections24:23 Ketchup, Anger, and the Heart25:49 Sin as Misplaced Worship26:30 “Let Go and Let God?”27:11 Lazarus and Our New Identity in Christ31:28 How Are You Trying to Change?32:31 The Ordinary Means of Grace33:47 Repentance and Humility34:30 What If I Haven’t Changed?35:07 Where We Go Next

Dan and Micah examine the context of this often misunderstood verse.

Dan and Micah discuss Psalm 46:10 and explain why many take this verse out of context. Also the guys talk about Dan's new book "Handle With Context: 28 Bible Verses We Love To Quote But Often Misunderstand."

Dan, Micah, Stephanie, and Cheryl answer questions live during the 2026 Women's Conference

Should Christians “live and let live” when it comes to morality, sexuality, marriage, abortion, and gender? In this episode of The Gospel Forum, Dan, Micah, and Shawn continue answering questions from the 2026 conference Q&A and discuss why Christian silence is not always loving.They also address a modern misuse of Genesis 1:27, explaining why Scripture does not teach a gender spectrum, but clearly presents mankind as created male and female.Learn more at thegospelforum.comUntil next time, keep on reforming.