What The Bible Says To Know & Do

In this episode of the Know and Do podcast, we explore how the Holy Spirit speaks and teaches through Scripture, how He guided the early church in its mission, and how believers today can evaluate claims of divine guidance. Drawing from Acts and other passages of Scripture, we consider six important tests for discerning spiritual direction: Scripture, Christology, Ecclesiology, Sanctification, Missionality, and Spiritual Fruit.

Rather than treating personal impressions as unquestionable messages from God, we are reminded of the importance of grounding our understanding in God's Word, pursuing Christlikeness, and seeking wisdom and accountability within the local church.

If you want to hear from God, where should you begin? Open your Bible, pray for the Holy Spirit to illuminate God's truth, read His Word, and remain connected to the church.

The goal is not simply to claim that we have heard from God, but to know God deeply and do the things that bring Him the most glory.

Resources

The Holy Spirit” by Allison and Kostenberger from the Theology for the People of God Series

In this episode of the Know & Do podcast, we go deeper into the biblical teaching about the Holy Spirit and His relationship with Jesus Christ. Who is the Holy Spirit? Is He an impersonal force, a created being, or God Himself? Rightly understanding the Holy Spirit is essential to understanding the one true God and the doctrine of the Trinity.

We explore how God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit work together to accomplish God's purposes. While we cannot fully comprehend the mystery of the Trinity, Scripture reveals important truths about God's nature and the person of the Holy Spirit.

In this episode, we examine five attributes of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit is Eternal — Hebrews 9:14 reveals the Spirit's role in Christ's sacrifice and God's eternal work of redemption.

The Holy Spirit is Omnipresent — Psalm 139:7–10 reminds us that we can never be separated from God's presence. For those who belong to Christ, the Holy Spirit is our ever-present helper.

The Holy Spirit is Omniscient — 1 Corinthians 2:10–11 teaches that the Spirit knows the depths of God and reveals God's wisdom and truth.

The Holy Spirit is Omnipotent — Luke 1:35–38 and Acts 10:38 demonstrate the Spirit's divine power at work in God's redemptive purposes. His power does not promise a life free from pain, but assures us that every circumstance serves God's ultimate, glorious purposes.

The Holy Spirit is Holy — Romans 1:3–4 reminds us that the Spirit is not someone we control or command. He is God, and we are called to follow His holy and good purposes.

Resources

• The Holy Spirit by Gregg Allison and Andreas Kostenberger from the Theology for the People of God series

• Expository Exultation by John Piper

• Trinitarian Heresies

In this episode of the Know and Do podcast, we explore the greatest miracle in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 9:32–43 recounts how Peter healed a paralyzed man and raised Tabitha from the dead, but these miracles point to a greater work of God—the resurrection of Christ, the foundation of the Christian faith.

Why should we believe that Jesus rose from the dead? What evidence supports the resurrection, and why do some people reject it while others embrace it? We examine historical evidence, Scripture's testimony, the empty tomb, and the transformation of Jesus’ disciples to see why the resurrection is both credible and essential to the Christian faith.

But the resurrection is more than a historical question. If Jesus truly conquered death, His resurrection demands a response. We consider how pride, sin, indifference, and the cost of following Christ can shape our willingness to believe, and why Jesus' hope is worth surrendering everything.

Whether you are wrestling with doubts or seeking to strengthen your faith and share it with others, this episode will challenge you to examine the evidence and consider the life-changing implications of the resurrection.

I. Why do people listen at all?

A. Romans 6:8-11

B. Gary Habermas’ Minimal facts:

1. Jesus died by crucifixion.

2. He was buried.

3. His death caused the disciples to despair and lose hope.

4. The tomb was empty. (see below)

5. The disciples had experiences which they believed were literal appearances of the risen Jesus.

6. The disciples were transformed from doubters to bold proclaimers

7. The resurrection was the central message.

8. They preached the message of Jesus’ resurrection in Jerusalem.

9. The Church was born and grew.

10. Orthodox Jews who believed in Christ made Sunday their primary day of worship.

11. James (the family skeptic) was converted to the faith when he saw the resurrected Jesus.

12. Paul (the skeptic) was converted to the faith.

C. William Lane Craig’s Empty tomb:

1. The empty tomb was assumed in the teaching of the apostles.

2. The site of Jesus’ tomb was well-known. It would have been easy to prove that it wasn’t empty.

3. The account of the empty tomb was written much too early to have been a legend.

4. The story of the empty tomb is simple. It didn’t need to be inflated with some grandiose theological lightshow. The story is simply that it was empty.

5. If someone had made it up, they would have picked more credible witnesses than the women.

6. There was no early question in the first century as to whether or not the body was gone. The only question was “Where did it go?”

7. 1 Corinthians 15:6

D. Scripture’s foretelling:

• Psalm 16:10

• John 2:18-22

• John 10:10

II. Why do some reject?

• Romans 6:4

• Daniel 12:2

• John 5:28–29

• Revelation 20:11–15

III. Why do some accept?

• John 11:25

• John 14:19

• Romans 10:9

• 1 Peter 1:3

Who can preach? More specifically, who should preach?

In Acts 9, Saul begins proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues immediately after his conversion. But does Saul's example mean that every new Christian should immediately start a church, launch a YouTube channel, or begin debating atheists and Muslims?

In this episode of Know & Do, we take a closer look at Saul's unique calling and ask what his example teaches us about preaching, pastoral ministry, theological training, and evangelism.

We’ll consider four diagnostic questions:

Are you Saul of Tarsus?

Saul was uniquely called and trained by the resurrected Christ. His experience was extraordinary and is not the normal pattern for Christian ministry.

Have you been called to preach by a biblically faithful church?

The official preaching ministry of the church is not something a man simply gives himself. Scripture gives qualifications for church leadership, and a biblically faithful church should recognize and affirm those who are called to this ministry.

Are you a Christian?

While not every Christian is called to be a pastor or official preacher, every Christian is commanded to proclaim the gospel. Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:18–20.

Can you explain the basics of salvation?

Christians don't need to know every theological nuance before sharing the gospel. But we should be able to explain the basics: our sin and guilt, Christ's death for sins, His resurrection, and salvation through faith in Jesus alone.

The episode ultimately draws an important distinction: not every Christian is called to be a pastor, but every Christian is called to tell others about Jesus.

Resources

Sermon [Men and Women in the Church | 1 Timothy 2:8-15]

Podcast [Grey Areas for Men and Women]

In this episode of the Know & Do podcast, we dive deeper into Acts 9:1–19 and the extravagant grace God showed to Saul of Tarsus. Saul was responsible for persecuting Christians, imprisoning them, and even participating in their deaths. Yet God saved him and transformed him into the apostle Paul.

But that incredible picture of grace raises a difficult question: What about the victims?

What does God's forgiveness of a sinner mean for the people who were harmed by that sinner? How can a murderer be forgiven and receive eternal life while the people he murdered may not have trusted in Christ? Does God's grace somehow diminish His justice?

In this episode, we examine the biblical truth that God never overlooks sin. He sees every wrong, including the sins committed against us and the sins committed by us. At the same time, Scripture reminds us that God does not give us every answer about why He allows suffering or why particular people experience particular hardships.

Ultimately, we are called to trust the character of God. His ways are higher than ours, His judgments are perfectly just, and Christ has taken the condemnation of everyone who trusts in Him. And for those who have experienced injustice, God promises that every wrong will ultimately be answered.

Resources

Sermon [Saul the Persecutor Believes]

In this episode of the Know and Do podcast, we take a deeper look at two important questions that arise from Acts 8:26–40: What does the Ethiopian eunuch’s baptism teach us about baptism, and why do some Bible translations not include Acts 8:37?

Baptism is an important part of the Christian life, but Christians have disagreed about what baptism means, who should be baptized, when it should happen, and how it should be carried out. The account of the Ethiopian eunuch provides a helpful case study—but it is also an outlier that should not be used to establish a theology of baptism by itself.

We begin by examining the eunuch’s encounter with Philip. After reading Isaiah and asking who the suffering servant is, the eunuch hears the good news about salvation through Jesus Christ, responds with joy, and asks to be baptized. While his baptism is legitimate, the circumstances surrounding it are atypical. The episode explores why we should not use this unusual situation to justify every kind of spontaneous or isolated baptism.

We then consider the ordinary New Testament pattern for baptism: the gospel is clearly communicated, a credible profession of faith is confirmed, and baptism takes place as a shared ordinance within the body of Christ. Baptism does not save us; salvation comes through faith in Christ. Instead, baptism serves as an important act of obedience and an early step in a healthy Christian life and a healthy church.

The second half of the episode addresses another question from Acts 8: What happened to verse 37? Some translations include it while others omit it or place it in a footnote. We discuss why this is not evidence that modern translations have removed Scripture. Rather, Acts 8:37 is a textual variant that appears in later manuscripts and is not found in the earliest and most reliable textual witnesses used in modern translations.

This leads to a broader discussion about why Christians can have confidence in the Bible. We consider the formation of the biblical canon, the criteria used by the early church to recognize New Testament books, manuscript evidence, the geographical spread of early Christian manuscripts, historical corroboration, eyewitness testimony, and the consistency of the biblical message.

Ultimately, the goal is not simply to answer questions about one baptism or one missing verse. We want to understand what the Bible says, trust it as God's Word, and allow it to shape how we live as the church.

Resources

• What Is The Bible Podcast Episode

• Why It Was Impossible to Corrupt the Bible

• Useful infographics on the makeup, transmission, and historicity of the Bible

In this episode of the Know & Do podcast, we take a deeper look at a challenging idea introduced in a recent sermon from Acts: God is ultimately about his own glory, greatness, and love. But what does it mean to say that God loves God? And does God’s supreme love for Himself diminish His love for us?

This episode explores why God’s self-love is not egotistical or selfish, but necessary because God alone is supremely worthy of glory, honor, and love. Through Scripture, we consider how God’s glory and our salvation are not competing purposes. Rather, God’s love for Himself is precisely what makes His love for us possible.

We also look at the incarnation and cross of Christ, where God’s infinite glory and boundless love are shared with his people. The astounding reality of the gospel is that, in Christ, God gives us what we could never have on our own: a share in the everlasting love and glory of God.

In This Episode

• Why God must be supremely concerned with His own glory

• How God’s self-love differs from human selfishness or narcissism

• What passages like 1 Corinthians 13:5 and Philippians 2:7 teach us about God’s love

• How God’s glory and our salvation work together throughout Scripture

• Why Christ’s death on the cross ultimately glorifies God

• How the incarnation makes it possible for us to experience God’s eternal love

• Why the best thing possible for mankind is that God loves God

• How knowing God as the source of all glory and love should shape our worship

Recommended Resources

• Desiring God by John Piper

• The Pleasures of God by John Piper

Ultimately, God’s love of God is good news for us. Because God is eternally the source and fullness of all glory and love, His people will never exhaust or outgrow his love in Christ. Every good thing we experience points us back to its source—and our response is worship.

Screen Notes

I. The pushback—from logic, from Scripture

A. 1 Corinthians 13:5

B. Philippians 2:7

C. Romans 5:8

D. John 3:16

II. The justification—from Scripture, from logic

A. 1 Corinthians 13:5

B. Philippians 2:7

C. Romans 5:8

D. John 3:16

E. Isaiah 43:7

F. Ezekiel 36:22

G. John 12:28

H. Romans 3:23–25

I.  2 Thessalonians 1:11–12

J.  Romans 11:36

III. The benefit—the gospel

A. Colossians 3:1–4

B. John 17:24–26

In this episode, we take a deeper look at the return of Christ through the lens of 1 Timothy 6:14–15 and Sunday’s sermon, “The Fighting Men of Faith” (1 Timothy 6:11–16). Scripture repeatedly points believers toward the glorious return of Jesus, but Christians have often differed on exactly how the end unfolds. This episode explores the major orthodox views surrounding Christ’s return, common errors to avoid, and how these truths should shape everyday Christian faithfulness.

We discuss dispensational premillennialism, historic premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism—highlighting where faithful Christians may disagree while still remaining united in the gospel. Along the way, we examine key biblical passages, historical teachers connected to each view, and why humility and charity matter when discussing third-order doctrines.

The episode also addresses views that fall outside Christian orthodoxy, including full preterism and date-setting speculation. Most importantly, we focus on the truths all believers must hold firmly: Christ will return personally, visibly, bodily, and gloriously; His coming will bring judgment and salvation; and His return should motivate holiness, endurance, hope, and faithful service.

Whether you’ve studied eschatology for years or have always found it confusing, this conversation aims to encourage thoughtful study while keeping the focus where Scripture keeps it—on faithful living while we await the appearing of our great God and Savior.

I. Four Orthodox Views of Christ’s Return

• The Millennium (Revelation 20:1–3)

• The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21)

1. Dispensational Premillennialism

A. Teachers—John Nelson Darby, C. I. Scofield, John MacArthur

B. Key texts— Daniel 9; 1 Thessalonians 4–5

2. Historic Premillennialism

A. Teachers— Justin Martyr, Irenaeus

B. Key texts— Revelation 20:1–6; Matthew 24

3. Amillennialism

A. Teachers— Augustine of Hippo; John Calvin; Anthony Hoekema

B. Key texts— John 5:28–29; 2 Peter 3

4. Postmillennialism

A. Teachers— Jonathan Edwards; Charles Hodge

B. Key texts— Psalm 2; Isaiah 2; Matthew 13

II. Views to avoid

1. Preterism

2. Exact dates/people

III. What we must hold true

1. Christ will return

2. Exact timing is a mystery

3. Judgment for nonbelievers and salvation for believers

4. Resurrection of the dead

5. New heaven, new earth

IV. What must we do?

1. Be motivated for daily godliness, hope, endurance, mission

2. Be watchful, pursue holiness, persevere, be faithful

3. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Handout Link

Money is one of the most talked-about—and misunderstood—topics in both Scripture and everyday life. In this episode, we take a deeper look at 1 Timothy 6:9–10 and explore what the Bible really says about wealth, desire, and the danger of misplaced trust. Drawing heavily from Proverbs, this conversation helps you develop a biblical framework for thinking about money—not as something to love, but as a tool to steward for God’s purposes.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”— 1 Timothy 6:10

I. Money Do’s and Don’ts from Proverbs

1. Do honor God with the first of your wealth (3:9–10).

2. Do seek righteous treasure (10:2–3).

3. Do be diligent in your work (10:4–5).

4. Do be generous with your money (11:24–25).

5. Do desire a good reputation more than money (22:1).

6. Do hone your craft (22:29).

7. Do be leery of false generosity (23:6–8).

8. Do not seek quick wealth (13:11).

9. Do not be greedy (15:27).

10. Do not be flippant about debt (22:7).

11. Do not rob the poor (22:22–23).

12. Do not become a pledge for someone else’s debt (22:26–27).

13. Do not swindle someone out of what the Lord has given him/her (22:28).

14. Do not be manipulated by the wealthy (23:1–3).

15. Do not work for fleeting riches (23:4–5).

II. Treat money like a tool.

• Luke 16:1–9

III. Focus on God’s good work and let him provide the money.

• Matthew 6:19–21

• Matthew 6:33

• 1 Corinthians 3:10–15

Handout Link

In this episode, we’re working through unanswered questions from our recent Family Retreat. These are thoughtful, real-life questions from our church family—covering the Christian home, spiritual growth, family relationships, and pastoral ministry.

Our aim is simple: to search the Scriptures for clarity and wisdom on issues that matter in everyday life.

Scripture is sufficient to equip God’s people for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Whether in gathered worship or personal questions, God’s Word both asks and answers what we need most.

Questions from the congregation:

1. What habits are most important for sustaining a Christ-centered home long-term? How do those habits translate as children grow into teens and adults?

a. Deuteronomy 6:4–9

2. How do you integrate embodied development (nutrition, fitness, recreation, fashion/beauty, work) with spiritual formation in your home?

a. 1 Timothy 4:7–8

b. 1 Corinthians 10:31

3. Sometimes I have a hard time making sure I remember events that happen in the Bible. Even though I study the Bible. Do you have any tips for people with learning and memory issues?

a. Psalm 119:11

4. How can I deal with difficult relationships in my extended family?

a. Matthew 5:43–44

5. What’s the #1 thing the congregation does that is stressful/annoying for you as a pastor?

Handout Link