Trent Stewart Podcast

As the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk's assassination approaches, the case against the man accused of killing him is moving toward trial, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. That brings an important question back into the conversation: Should Christians support capital punishment?

In this episode, Pastor Trent looks beyond the headlines to examine what Scripture actually teaches about the government's authority to punish evil. We explore how Christians should think about capital punishment, due process, justice, mercy, and the value of human life.

In This Episode

• What Scripture teaches about the government's authority to punish evil
• The difference between personal forgiveness and public justice
• Common biblical objections to capital punishment
• Why due process and the protection of human life must remain central to the conversation
• How we can pursue both justice and mercy without compromising either

Key Takeaway: Personal forgiveness and governmental justice are not the same thing. Christians are called to surrender personal vengeance and extend forgiveness, while Scripture gives civil government a different responsibility: to establish guilt, protect innocent people, and justly punish wrongdoing.

Why it Matters
Human Life Is Sacred: The biblical argument begins with the value of human life. Genesis 9 grounds the seriousness of murder in the fact that every human being is created in the image of God.
Forgiveness and Justice Have Different Roles: Romans 12 commands Christians not to seek personal vengeance, while Romans 13 gives civil government responsibility to punish wrongdoing. Forgiving someone does not require pretending a crime never happened or eliminating its legal consequences.
Justice Must Include Due Process: Supporting the government's biblical authority to impose capital punishment does not mean supporting every execution. Christians should care deeply about establishing guilt, fair trials, and a justice system free from prejudice, political pressure, and personal vengeance.

Final Thought
Christians do not have to choose between justice and mercy.
We can believe murder should be taken seriously, demand a fair legal process, care deeply about victims, and still pray for the repentance and salvation of the guilty. The clearest picture of these truths coming together is the cross, where God demonstrates both perfect justice toward sin and extraordinary mercy toward sinners.

Understand the times. Know what to do.

Can the WNBA Define a Woman? Sophie Cunningham and the Battle Over Women's Sports

What happens when something as basic as the difference between men and women becomes controversial?

In this episode, Pastor Trent looks at the recent controversy surrounding WNBA player Sophie Cunningham and the debate over men competing in women's sports. But this conversation is about much more than basketball. At the heart of the issue is a deeper question: Is reality something we discover, or something we create?

In This Episode:

• Why Sophie Cunningham's comments have sparked a larger debate
• Why biological differences and clearly defined categories matter in athletics
• How our culture's understanding of sex, identity, and tolerance has changed
• Why these issues ultimately come down to whether reality is discovered or created
• How Christians can defend truth with courage while treating people with love

Key Takeaway: The debate over women's sports is ultimately a debate about reality. Christianity teaches that we do not create ourselves, God created us. Our bodies matter, truth matters, and our deepest identity is not something we invent but something we ultimately find in Christ.

What Should We Do?

1. Don't be afraid to say what is true.
2. Don't confuse courage with cruelty.
3. Teach your children a biblical view of the body.
4. Protect women's sports.

Notable Quotes:
"Things that once qualified as common sense now require courage to say out loud."
"Equal value does not mean physical sameness."
"Truth without love can become cruel. Love without truth becomes evil."

If this episode helped you better understand the times and know what to do, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and follow The Trent Stewart Podcast for future episodes.

Christ Killers: How His Death Becomes Your New Life is available at Christkillers.com and on Amazon.

"Understand the times and know what to do."

England is considering a ban on social media for children under 16, joining a growing list of countries taking action to address the impact of social media on young people. But before debating whether these laws are right or wrong, Pastor Trent Stewart asks a deeper question: What happened that caused entire governments to consider doing what many parents still aren't willing to do?

In this episode, Trent examines the rise of social media, the growing mental health crisis among children and teenagers, and the biblical responsibility parents have to shape and disciple the next generation. Drawing from research, Scripture, and practical experience, he challenges families to think carefully about who is really influencing their children, and what they can do about it.

In This Episode

• Why England, Australia, and other nations are restricting social media access for minors
• The connection between smartphones, social media, and rising mental health challenges
• How childhood shifted from play-based to phone-based
• Why social media is ultimately a discipleship issue
• The role algorithms play in shaping beliefs, values, and identity
• Practical steps parents can take to protect and disciple their children
• Why Christians must prioritize intentional relationships and spiritual formation

Key Takeaway

The most important question isn't whether social media is harmful. The most important question is: Who is discipling your children?

What Should We Do?

1. Don't wait for the government to solve the problem.
2. Seriously evaluate smartphone and social media access.
3. Prioritize real-world relationships.
4. Evaluate your own habits.
5. Commit to intentional discipleship.

Resources Mentioned

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Connect

If this episodehelped you better understand the times and know what to do, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and follow The Trent Stewart Podcast for future episodes.

“Understand the times and know what to do.”

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, conversations about our nation often swing between pride and cynicism. But what if we're asking the wrong question? Instead of debating whether America is good or bad, Pastor Trent Stewart explores a deeper question: Why has America flourished?

Drawing from Scripture, America's founding principles, and the words of leaders like John Adams, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, Trent argues that nations flourish when truth, virtue, responsibility, and faithfulness flourish.

This episode isn't merely about America's past—it's about America's future. If we want to understand what's threatening our nation today, we must first understand the values that built it.

In This Episode

• Why America's success cannot be explained by military power, wealth, or geography alone

• The revolutionary idea behind the Declaration of Independence
• Why the Founders believed freedom requires moral character
• What John Adams, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln warned future generations about

• The biblical principle that sustains every nation
• Five practical responses Christians should embrace this July 4th
• Why our ultimate hope is not found in government, politics, or national prosperity

Key Takeaway: Nations flourish when truth, virtue, responsibility, and faithfulness flourish.

Five Things Christians Should Do

1. Practice gratitude for God's blessings and freedoms.
2. Pursue truth in a culture increasingly shaped by personal preference.
3. Pursue virtue and godly character.
4. Take responsibility in our homes, churches, communities, and nation.
5. Pursue faith in Christ and place ultimate hope in Him.

Resources Mentioned

• The Declaration of Independence
• John Adams' writings on liberty and self-government
• George Washington's Farewell Address
• Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer

Connect

If this episode helped you better understand the times and know what to do, be sure to subscribe, share it with a friend, and follow The Trent Stewart Podcast for future episodes.

"Understand the times and know what to do."

Have you ever walked away from a conversation and thought, “That wasn’t random. That was God.” Maybe it started with small talk about work or the weather but somehow, it turned toward hope, healing, or even Jesus. What if those moments weren’t interruptions but invitations from God? Today, we’re diving into how to live on mission in your everyday life, and how to see every conversation as a divine appointment.

What is a Divine Appointment?

• Any God -ordained moment when he brings two people together to encourage, bless, or share the Gospel.
• We usually miss these opportunities because we’re busy and distracted.
• God is always at work, before us, around us, through us, and He often speaks through those ordinary moments with extraordinary intention.

Phillip the Evangelist (Acts 8):

• Philip obeys because he’s not just busy for God, he’s sensitive to God.
• You can be doing ministry and still miss the mission if you aren’t listening to His Spirit.
• Develop a holy attentiveness to the what the Spirit is doing around you; be on the lookout.

“When you’re looking, you’ll start seeing.”

Engaging in Spiritual Conversations:

• Philip doesn’t lead with a sermon or a theological argument; he simply asks a good question.
• You don’t need a seminary degree to engage in spiritual conversation.
• You need a heart of compassion, a spirit of curiosity, and a willingness to speak when the Holy Spirit prompts you.
• When God prompts you to speak, trust that He is already working in that person's life.

“Don’t discount the value of your obedience just because you don’t see immediate results.”

The Legacy of Charlie Kirk:

• Charlie was committed to engaging the culture with the truth of Scripture, even amidst hostility.
• You’re either shaping culture, or being shaped by it.
• The Gospel isn’t just something we preach in church; it’s the lens through which we see everything.

"Truth sounds like hate to those who hate truth."

Having a Sense of Urgency

• Philip didn’t delay; he acted immediately.
• A simple question can lead to a divine encounter that transforms someone’s life.
• There are over two billion people in the world who have never heard the gospel.
• 82% of people say they would attend church if someone invited them.

“We aren’t lacking opportunity. We’re lacking urgency.”

How Do I Start Living on Mission?

1. Pray for one divine appointment every day.
2. Be mindful and willing to follow the prompting of the Spirit.
3. Ask questions.
4. Share your story.
5. Lead someone through Christ Killers book.
6. Leave the results to God.

Bottom Line: When you live on mission, there's no such thing as random. When you obey the Spirit, even small conversations can carry eternal weight.

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Visit trentstewart.org for more resources.

Visit Christkillers.com to get your copy of my latest book.

Episode 39: When Tragedy Strikes – Processing the Death of Charlie Kirk

This week has been heavy. The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk has left many of us brokenhearted, wrestling with questions of evil, justice, and God’s purposes. But here’s the truth: even in the darkest moments, God is still working. Nothing is wasted in His hands.
In today’s episode, we’re processing the heartbreaking death of Charlie Kirk and asking: Where is God when tragedy strikes? We’ll look to Romans 8:28 and see why it’s not just a verse to memorize, but a rock to stand on.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“We know.” This is not a guess or blind faith; this promise is rock solid.

·       The promise is for those who love God.

·       The promise is for those called according to His purpose.

·       The promise stands firm not because of our performance, but because of God’s purpose.

·       It’s God’s love and God’s work, not ours, that keeps this promise true for us.

“Your love for God may be shaky, but His call on your life is unshakable.”

Three ways God uses ALL THINGS, even suffering, for our good:

1.     To Deepen Our Devotion

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness…” (James 1:2-4)

·       Evaluate trials through the lens of eternity

·       Joy is delight in God in the middle of pain

·       Steadfastness is remaining under the pressure 

2.     To Advance the Gospel

“What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard…” (Philippians 1:12-13)

·       Paul’s pain had a purpose.

·       We don’t know the why, but we can know and trust God is at work.

3.     To Bring Us Back to Him

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

·       Suffering wakes us up

·       The Holy Spirit is working, drawing us to do more, to bring us back to our purpose in Christ.

Examples from Scripture:

·       Joseph said to his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20)

·       Job lost everything and still declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

·       Esther was placed in a pagan king’s court “for such a time as this” to save her people.

·       The Cross was God’s plan to save the world.

“Romans 8:28 isn’t a vague encouragement. It’s a battle cry.”

Bottom Line: The trial might bend you, but it will not break you, because if you love God and you're called according to His purpose, nothing is wasted.

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Episode 38: Real Friends: Why You Can’t Follow Jesus Alone

Have you ever felt completely alone, even in a crowded room? Maybe you're surrounded by classmates, coworkers, or followers online, yet deep down, you're starving for something real. What if I told you that your loneliness isn't a flaw? It's a signal. It's a holy ache, pointing you to the kind of friendship your soul was made for.

Today’s episode is not just about friendship. It’s about spiritual growth. It’s about how God designed your soul to grow and thrive, and why you’ll never become the leader He’s calling you to be if you’re alone. Real friends don’t just make life better – they make you more like Jesus.

The Most Connected Generation is also the Loneliest:

·       Almost half of Americans say they feel alone 

·       43% believe their relationships aren’t meaningful.

“We were created for deep connection, but we’ve become professionals at pretending we’re just fine while we quietly drown in isolation.”

What Happens When We Don’t Have Real Friendships? 

·       We lose perspective 

·       We isolate

·       We grow selfish

·       Our health suffers

“Loneliness isn’t just about the absence of people. It’s about the absence of meaningful connection.”

A Real Friend Helps You Grow Closer to Jesus:

·       Proverbs 13:20

·       The people closest to you either pull you toward Jesus or away from Jesus

·       All friendships share a common bond. When the common bond of a friendship is Jesus, it changes everything. 

·       Proverbs 18:24

“If you want a real friend, you’ve got to start being a real friend.”

Why Small Groups are so Important:

·       A small group is not just another church activity. It’s a place where you can be real, ask honest questions, be with people who will point you to Jesus, help you study the Bible, celebrate your wins, and pray with you.

·       The theological anchor of why real friendship is so important goes back to Genesis.

·       Gensis 1:26: “Let us make man in our image.” - Community is seen in the Godhead

·       Genesis 2:8: “It is not good for man to be alone.” – Isolation is a spiritual danger.

·       Because of sin, we run from the relationships and settle for shallow connections.

·       Ephesians 4:1-3: You need to be connected to God’s people through a local church to “walk in a manner worthy of your calling.”

Roadblocks to Real Friendships:

·       Busyness - Even good things can become barriers to God’s best for you.

·       Laziness

·       Spiritual Apathy – people don’t care enough about Jesus to care about the people who follow Him

How to Prioritize Gospel-Centered Relationships:

“If you want real friends, you’ve got to make space for them.”

·       Show up – go to small group. Don’t just attend, engage.

·       Open up – let people see the real you

·       Reach out – don’t just wait for an invitation. Jesus was always the initiator.

Bottom Line: You were made for community, and real friends don't just make life more fun, they help you follow Jesus.

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What if the biggest threat to your calling isn’t failure—but comfort?

In this episode, Pastor Trent unpacks a powerful message from Acts 20:22–24 that reveals four phases every leader walks through when God calls them to step into something greater. If you’ve ever felt a divine nudge, battled fear of the unknown, or wondered how to move forward when life gets hard—this message is for you.

We’re not called to live a safe life. We’re called to live a significant one. Don’t settle for success that’s void of purpose. Learn to recognize the Spirit’s prompting, embrace uncertainty with confidence, endure opposition with faith, and live on mission with gospel urgency.

Key Scripture: “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there… However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” — Acts 20:22–24 (NIV)

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Why Deo Pneuma moments (being “compelled by the Spirit”) are critical to your calling
• How to move forward in “confident uncertainty” even when you don’t know what’s next • What to expect when opposition comes—and how to push through it
• Why a clear sense of mission matters more than comfort or security
• How to stop chasing success and start pursuing significance
• Practical leadership questions to ask yourself in every phase of your journey
• Why your story, your obedience, and your courage matter for God’s Kingdom

Episode Highlights:

• The Mission Beneath the Process - You’re not in a holding pattern. God is refining you for His purpose—today.
• Phase 1: A Nudge You Can’t Ignore – Learn how to discern the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
• Phase 2: Confident Uncertainty – Why God often gives light for only the next step.
• Phase 3: Expect Opposition – Faithfulness doesn’t guarantee ease. It guarantees resistance.
• Phase 4: A Mission That Matters More Than Comfort – Purpose always outweighs security.

Leadership Challenge: Identify which phase you’re in—and take your next step with courage.

Reflection Questions:

1. What’s a God-given nudge you’ve been ignoring?
2. Are you waiting on full clarity before stepping out in faith?
3. How has fear, opposition, or comfort kept you from moving forward?
4. What mission would you be willing to give your life to?

Challenge of the Week: God isn’t calling you to a safe life—but a significant one. Don’t waste your life. Take the next step He’s calling you to.

Resources Mentioned:

• Main Text: Acts 20:22–24 (NIV)
• Visit trentstewart.org to subscribe and get free access to the "How to Pray" video course.
• Connect on socials to stay up-to-date with content and leadership insights.

Subscribe & Share - If this episode encouraged you, please take 30 seconds to:

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Welcome to the Trent Stewart Leadership podcast! I’m here to help everyday leaders make every day count. My goal is to help you grow as a leader and make a difference in your church, business, and home by influencing others to look to Jesus.

Episode 36: “A Holy Unrest: When Your Soul WantsMore”

What if your dissatisfaction isn’t a problem to be solved—but a gift from God? What if the ache inside you isn’t meant to be silenced by more noise or numbed by more stuff, but awakened into something eternal? Today, we’re talking about that divine discontent—that holy unrest—and what it really means to thirst for God.

When your body is thirsty, it’s not just a mild suggestion—it’s a desperate signal. Your brain is telling you, “You need water to live.” If that’s true physically—how much more essential is the spiritual thirst within us?

We try to quench the thirst of our souls in different ways that might feel satisfying in the moment—but actually make things worse. This is because we often drink from the wrong spiritual cups.

Cups We Reach For:

·     Entertainment, achievement, appearance, relationships

·     It might feel good going down, but it’s not going to fill us.

·     What tastes good to our flesh often harms our soul.

·     These cups are designed to gratify your senses and not nourish your spirit.

·     We laugh, indulge, chase while quietly dying of spiritual dehydration

King David Truly Thirsted for God (Psalm 63):

·     To thirst for God, you have to know who God is(v1-2)

·     Thirst changes your perspective of God (v3)

·     Thirst leads to worship (v4-5)

·     Thirst awakens spiritual attentiveness (v6-8)

·     Are you thirsting for God?

Symptoms of Spiritual Dehydration:

·     Negative attitude – complaining has become your default

·     Loss of purpose – you’re just going through the motions

·     Increased appetite for sin – and less conviction when you indulge

·     Apathy towards Jesus – you’re not against Him, you just don’t care about Him

·     Lack of gratitude – you only focus on the negative

Only Jesus Can Quench the Thirst of Your Soul:

·     We naturally thirst for love, friendships, and happiness

·     God designed your body to tell you when you’re thirsty, so you won’t die of dehydration

·     The love, acceptance, hope and peace you need is found in Jesus, the Living Water

When your spirit is craving more, run to Scripture, run to prayer, and drink deep of the living water that Jesus promises to give you when you worship Him.

Welcome to the Trent Stewart Leadership podcast! I’m here to help everyday leaders make every day count. My goal is to help you grow as a leader and make a difference in your church, business, and home by influencing others to look to Jesus.

Episode 34: “How Jesus Fulfills Your Deepest Need”

What’s your biggest need today? Most of us immediately know what that is. It might be a financial need, it might be healing, or maybe it’s a relationship you need restored. We all have needs and they all feel urgent. Today we’re going to talk about how Jesus fulfills your deepest needs.

In Luke 5:17-26, we read the story of a paralyzed man whose friends went to extreme measures to bring him to Jesus. They lowered him through a roof, expecting a miraculous healing, but Jesus says something unexpected, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

1. Jesus Knows Your Deepest Need.

• Jesus started with the man’s spiritual condition instead of just healing him physically.
• Our greatest need is spiritual health and that starts with God’s forgiveness.
• At the core of every human being is the need to be reconciled to God.

2. Jesus Wants to Meet Your Biggest Need.

• Jesus wanted them to understand that He was God in the flesh.
• Jesus proved His authority to forgive sin by healing the man.
• Sometimes we’re so focused on our immediate need that we forget Jesus is working on something greater.
• I think I know what I need, but I can trust that Jesus KNOWS what I need.  

3. Jesus Heals Every Day.

• In John 14:12, Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do” 
• God has blessed humanity with medicine so that our needs can be met.
• We see God heal people every day through the use of technology.

4. Sometimes What You Think You Need Isn’t Your Deepest Need.

• Whatever your biggest need is, it’s tied to your spiritual health.
• God wants you to be spiritually healthy.
• The problems in your life become tests.
• Will you trust God? Will you depend on Him? Will you repent of sin? Will you humble yourself and say you’re sorry?

It’s all part of the journey of growing closer to Christ. We have to go through challenges to grow. Trust that God knows what you need and is giving it to you right now. Thank Him in advance and trust Him in the waiting.

How Do We Respond?

1. Be honest about your commitment to Christ.
2. Be a friend who brings people to Jesus.
3. Be filled with praise, and share your story.

Jesus fulfills our deepest needs. He knows exactly what you need today. You can rest in that. The question is, will you trust Him?