Wisdom for the Wilderness

Join Pastors Zack and Josh on this special episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness as they celebrate a monumental birthday: the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of the Nicene Creed! Dive into the fascinating history of this foundational document, exploring the Arian controversy and the crucial role of figures like Alexander, Arius, Athanasius, and Emperor Constantine. Discover why this creed was so vital in defining the deity of Christ and the Trinity, guarding against early heresies, and establishing essential Christian orthodoxy. The pastors discuss the significance of creeds and confessions in church history, from the Apostles' Creed to more modern statements, and share practical wisdom on why studying theology, church history, and God's Word is crucial for every believer today.

In this listener-inspired episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a foundational but often misunderstood question: What is a Baptist? They walk through the core distinctives that define Baptist belief and practice—such as believer’s baptism, congregational governance, and local church autonomy—and explain why these matter deeply to the life and mission of Overland Church.

The pastors also clarify how Overland Church relates to larger Baptist networks, including the Longs Peak Baptist Association, the Colorado Baptist General Convention, and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). They shed light on what it means to be an autonomous church that is still connected through cooperative ministry and giving, and they address common misconceptions about the SBC with grace and honesty.

Whether you're new to Baptist life or just curious about how Overland fits into a larger family of churches, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of biblical cooperation in mission.

In this special episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh connect with Isaac Dzimbiri, the Malawi country ministry director for Gospel Life. Filming from Malawi, Zack joins Josh in Colorado to explore the profound and enduring partnership between Josh and Isaac. They delve into how their relationship, rooted in biblical principles of servant leadership and mutual respect, has been instrumental in the growth of Gospel Life's ministry.

Join them as they share stories of their initial connection, the unique challenges and joys of ministry across continents, and how their "iron sharpens iron" bond has shaped their approach to theological training, church planting, and college ministry in Malawi. Hear firsthand about the vision for Gospel Life's future and the vital role of prayer in their ongoing spiritual warfare.

gospellife.org

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the third core value of Overland Church: Serve. As they explore what it means to live out a life of service, they emphasize the powerful truth that at Overland, the greatest thing you can strive to be is a servant.

Drawing from Scripture and their own ministry experiences, Zack and Josh unpack how serving isn’t just a duty—it's a joy and a calling. They share practical ways believers can identify and use their gifts to serve the church body and the broader community, and they offer encouragement for anyone feeling uncertain about where or how to get involved.

Whether you're a longtime member or new to Overland Church, this episode will challenge and equip you to embrace a servant’s heart and take the next step in living out your faith through service.

Join Pastors Zack and Josh as they unpack the complex world of short-term missions. Are these trips truly beneficial, or can they sometimes do more harm than good? They delve into the potential pros and cons, exploring what makes a short-term mission trip truly impactful – focusing on learning from local communities, offering genuine service, utilizing specialized skills, and effectively supporting the work of long-term missionaries. Discover how to discern between helpful engagement and efforts that can be unintentionally damaging.

Pastors Zack and Josh dive into the often-complex decision of how to educate our children, exploring the landscape of public, charter, Christian schools, and homeschooling. They thoughtfully unpack the unique pros and cons of each option, moving beyond mere academics to focus on our primary calling as parents: to disciple our kids wholeheartedly.

Join the conversation as they emphasize why our unity in Christ transcends our schooling choices and why Christians should extend grace and understanding rather than judgment in this personal and crucial area while also being wise to the realities of education in our current cultural climate.

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh tackle a topic that strikes at the core of Christian worship: Who decides how we worship God?

Drawing a clear contrast between the regulative principle—which teaches that only what God commands in His Word is acceptable in worship—and the normative principle—which allows for anything not expressly forbidden—they make a compelling case for why Scripture must set the agenda for every aspect of our Sunday services.

They explore key biblical examples that demonstrate the danger of approaching God on our own terms. From Nadab and Abihu, whose offering of "strange fire" led to their sudden death (Leviticus 10), to Uzzah, who reached out to steady the Ark and was struck down (2 Samuel 6), we see that sincerity and good intentions are no substitute for obedience. These sobering stories remind us that God cares deeply about how He is worshiped—and that His holiness is not to be trifled with.

Zack and Josh don’t just leave us with warnings—they also paint a positive and hopeful vision for what biblically regulated worship can be: joyful, reverent, Christ-centered, and pleasing to the Lord. Whether you're a pastor, worship leader, or thoughtful member of the congregation, this episode will challenge you to reevaluate your assumptions and rediscover the beauty of worship ordered by the Word of God.

In this episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh sit down with College Pastor Brandon Dupre for a rich conversation about Bible translation—how it works, why it matters, and what it means for everyday readers of Scripture. They break down the core translation philosophies, from formal equivalence (word-for-word) to dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought), and how each approach shapes the way we understand God’s Word.

The discussion also touches on the historical development of English Bible translations, including a brief look at the King James Version and the surrounding controversy. Most importantly, they celebrate the incredible gift it is to have access to so many trustworthy translations, and offer encouragement on how to choose and engage with the Bible in a meaningful way.

Whether you’ve wondered why your Bible reads differently than someone else’s or just want to grow in confidence in the Scriptures, this episode will leave you informed, encouraged, and equipped.

In this powerful episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Josh and Zack are joined by special guest Pastor Brandon Dupre for a deep dive into biblical stewardship. What does it really mean to render to God what is God's? And how do we live that out when it comes to money?

The trio explores how everything we have belongs to God, and how wise management of our finances—through budgeting, paying off debt, and generous giving—can free us to invest more fully in the work of the Kingdom. Whether you're swimming in student loans or just trying to be more intentional with your spending, this episode offers gospel-centered wisdom and practical tools for stewarding your resources with purpose and joy.

In this special edition episode of Wisdom for the Wilderness, Pastors Zack and Josh address the threat of two bills currently in the Colorado State Senate. HB 25-1312 threatens the custody of parents who do not affirm the transgender identity of their children, and HB 25-1309 requires insurers to pay for transgender treatments and surgeries.

Zack and Josh discuss why these bills are a threat to the well-being of families and children in Colorado, and why they should be opposed by Christians in particular. They also discuss what steps Christians in Colorado should take to oppose the bill, and how we ought to love people struggling with gender dysphoria by pointing them to the truth of God's word and creation.

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Sign the Petition and write legislators: https://coloradoparents.org/

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More information from:

ERLC and CBGC: https://bit.ly/4cy96xP

Centennial Institute at CCU: https://centennial.ccu.edu

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Listen to Pastor Zack's sermon series on the Imago Dei and gender ideology: https://bit.ly/3Eov0qD