The Firm Faith Podcast

57 – Our Identity in Christ

Coinciding with the launch of Harvest's summer sermon series, Pastor Nick discusses our identity in Christ with his wife, Micaela. Tied into a believer's union with Christ, understanding your identity is essential for fulfilling your purpose and having great joy in doing so. Recommended Resources: Check out the resources below for learning more about the doctrines of our union with Christ and identity in Christ: * Home with God: Our Union with Christ by Kyle Worley [https://www.amazon.com/Home-God-Our-Union-Christ/dp/1430097450] * Union with Christ: The Blessings of Being in Him by Sinclair Ferguson [https://www.amazon.com/Union-Christ-Blessings-Being-Him/dp/164289642X] * Who Am I?: Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges [https://www.amazon.com/Who-Am-I-Identity-Christ/dp/1936760479] * Because He Loves Me: How Christ Transforms Our Daily Life by Elyse Fitzpatrick [https://www.amazon.com/Because-He-Loves-Me-Transforms/dp/1433519518]

56 – Should I Join a Local Church?

Jack and Nick discuss local church membership as a God-ordained means of helping Christians stand firm in their faith. They argue from Scripture that you should become a member of a local church, discuss the blessings and responsibilities of membership, and address some of the common arguments made against committing to a church. Resources  * Church Membership [https://www.amazon.com/Church-Membership-Represents-Building-Churches/dp/1433532379/ref=sr_1_3?crid=GH4KMVRE2TH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.c-Rapra0HdFXMGg0DEJbAJ_41e6kc9ZshJHaOEA63ob3HWizLrPFNj7-q53uz2Iilw6Gp0x2nikQTk2goJnYWcr_0XxqkNAaWR8pH1ha8BVyhZSZhkEXG6Dg2rieMycIx0JaQA8XByq9zb0bVO3AC4hu5wbHUG_i26Az4x27XdbdEaIgzDSO2c6rSNalhbPAMFPzheuzMfzwcpOXdut-PPDKwBa5bb23KAqmWJAjQLQ.OGtuYQjL4HyfFmK-Jp87d0x-Z3eXRdwkRl8ZvWLvQr8&dib_tag=se&keywords=church+membership&qid=1780946218&sprefix=church+membershi%2Caps%2C187&sr=8-3] by Jonathan Leeman * What is a healthy church member? [https://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Church-Member-Building-Churches/dp/1433588331/ref=sr_1_1?crid=95JX31HYAHPC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IXiazsND77u6VwEd-SB1mfYYTIknDzJtVSMF1v2OwlxjYDDD4dPwAk6CSxe7-3tBF3C9WuomMwbvQ5WS5YD_SLFYrtPuq_mzKXZLGueTTIAFs-SundsCP9Js8hyi8ewx2vCV7pgf9Cb2BcRkEQmLkMNy_9pIPhjiITwEaL5SqLBQNYRyS8tplBhp3beAttYPnXsEvNqjUtg5w-8cBK3GTCG5Kx2vSehArAp1zS-K6uo.e91IN5gG1hDAPzs5yinD_Yn0EJoq56nMEgXQ44vDNDk&dib_tag=se&keywords=what+is+a+healthy+church+member&qid=1780946236&sprefix=what+is+a+health+church+mem%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-1] by Thabiti Anyabwile * The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive [https://www.amazon.com/Compelling-Community-Church-Attractive-9Marks/dp/1433543540] by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop * The Church: The Gospel Made Visible [https://www.amazon.com/Church-Gospel-Made-Visible-9Marks/dp/1433677768/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=321YRSXVF8FTW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.so_DHpFudAK0g59satnNedQpAv0gCLkQ8Qs8GKr7Sz1I3RmVmf7NJRjAo-SkVWaj2690lnIynGzLObDUXvrnZX-8ltLCYWbFSyqsdyOcD3NQHcl-WgAAsRZs182nvjfH0ZhDSB2ysXyJUuLBWG3zgOVbjjjC342SyspmbUxQRfrYbHE4GFwUlEqa8FB_bbViY8FGYEeoueRF17uolQune7Di_NsoeXpEm5pVontpHMs.AGfSuUMuJ9LSnFn6kotE4uy0GF1egiza8-z-EH_wR8A&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+church&qid=1781106869&sprefix=the+churc%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1] by Mark Dever * Harvest Membership [https://www.harvestdesmoines.org/membership/] * Harvest Membership Commitment Form [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o7GOhg3M5rfPWLTnDvCQDvy-6M9JUtNZ/view?usp=sharing]

55 – Authority

Jordan interviews Jack about the meaning and purpose of authority. Together, they discuss the tension between God's good design for authority, and mankind's tendency to misuse or reject authority altogether. Ultimately, our aim in this episode is to highlight Scripture's teachings on the benefits of biblical authority. Recommended Resources: * * Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing [https://www.amazon.com/Authority-Vulnerable-Strengthens-Communities-Flourishing/dp/B0DWNFCFFS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NEWNSU7Y4LCS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ptIbwWbolSOr2gs5GsUa2KKd-gmbwq-vnmrbNESs9ULvAzJQZPrHc13YAZXF6BZO6ErGWXSZw3jAFV0lSw4XLd74hLfNiE4LYnc58w9W37_WpbW0pUdHxDb94isH9uH-tbiL8UScDm0bwMoA8a0x0eCw-_2_BrhT9ZNPVyrdnkn9VjkPQdFEZ4QlEJdXiiTsC7fc0_f2iyPs3sNruinPwkin7YRiYUV0Fa3NZhIrOY4.Sd9aLdbi8htexSLFXqUnFP29R-bU_vuTu4wYE0MdTZU&dib_tag=se&keywords=authority+jonathan+leeman&qid=1779978933&sprefix=authority+jon%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-1] by Jonathan Leeman * * Authority videos playlist from 9Marks on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSgRbSkMlXA&list=PLP5FeX3xtZg_kbbOQ2nZwfT7zg60ued3r] * * Bible passages: Gen 1:26-31, Rom 13, Heb 13:17, 1–2 Sam, Mark 10:45, John 13:12-17 * * Charts [https://harvestbiblechapeldsm-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/jackf_harvestdesmoines_org/IgCkOE8lC-coRK-TTbuD_3Y-AUkxSkTmt7XNBSWTktQMeNM?e=wqyhas] from Jack’s Lessons on Authority from Harvest Students * * “Calibrated Resistance: A Biblical Blueprint for Obeying and Disobeying Authority” article [https://www.9marks.org/article/calibrated-resistance-a-biblical-blueprint-for-obeying-and-disobeying-authority/?mc_cid=71ab685b06&mc_eid=53134a9d26] by Paul Alexander * Association of Certified Biblical Counselors Abuse Guidelines [https://abuse.biblicalcounseling.com]

54 – The Significance of Legacy

Nick hosts a discussion with Pastor Chris and his wife, Laurie, about the significance of a godly legacy. They discuss how God has grown them in thinking biblically about legacy and how they are seeking to be intentional with their own legacy. Covering a variety of stages of life, this is a conversation that will be beneficial for everyone. Recommended Resources: * * Book: Don’t Waste Your Life [https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Waste-Your-Life-Piper/dp/1433580772] by John Piper * * Book: 27 Servants of Soverign Joy [https://www.amazon.com/27-Servants-Sovereign-Joy-Faithful/dp/1433578476] by John Piper * * Book: Family Driven Faith [https://www.amazon.com/Family-Driven-Faith-Doing-Daughters/dp/1433528126] by Voddie Baucham Jr * * Book: Disciplines of a Godly Family [https://www.amazon.com/Disciplines-Godly-Family-Kent-Hughes/dp/1581349416/] by Kent & Barbara Huges * * Book: Raising Godly Children in an Ungodly World [https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Godly-Children-Ungodly-World/dp/0890515425] by Ken & Steve Ham * * Article: The Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon’s Book Fund [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/susannah-spurgeons-book-fund/]by Carly Buchwald * Article: The Dangerous Legacy of Spiritual Indifference [https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/the-dangerous-legacy-of-spiritual-indifference/] by Erik Raymond

53 – Why Do We Change?

Pastors Nick and Jack aim to think biblically about progressive sanctification. Join us for a discussion on having a humble view of self and a desire to be transformed into the image of Christ. Recommended Resources: * Book: Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp [https://www.amazon.com/Instruments-Redeemers-Hands-Resources-Changing/dp/0875526071] * Workbook: You Can Change by Tim Chester [https://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Change-Transforming-Behavior/dp/B0FTZJJX4Z]