By the Book | Christ-centered teaching with Dr. Stephen Reynolds

By the Book | Christ-centered teaching with Dr. Stephen Reynolds

Discussion Series | Rooted | 6. "Why The Old Testament Matters"

28 min · 7. maj 2026
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episode Discussion Series | Rooted | 6. "Why The Old Testament Matters" cover

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The Old Testament isn't a confusing collection of ancient laws and violent stories. It's the first half of one unified story — and it's impossible to fully understand Jesus without it. Today Pastor Steve walks us through covenants, sacrifices, and the logic of blood — and shows us how all of it points directly to Christ. Key Topics Covenants * A covenant is a binding promise God makes with His people * Every major covenant points forward to Jesus * Key covenants: Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New Covenant * Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise God ever made Sacrifices * The sacrificial system was God's way of showing His people what sin actually costs * Leviticus isn't boring — it's a detailed picture of what it takes to approach a holy God * The system was never meant to be the final answer — it was always pointing forward Why So Much Blood? * Leviticus 17:11 — the life of the flesh is in the blood * Blood represents life given in place of another life * Every sacrifice was a preview of one moment — the cross * John 1:29 — "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" How It All Points to Christ * Luke 24:27 — Jesus opened the Scriptures and showed how they were all about Him * Abraham and Isaac → the Father giving His Son * The Passover Lamb → Jesus whose blood causes judgment to pass over us * The High Priest → Jesus our permanent High Priest * The Suffering Servant → Isaiah 53, written 700 years before the cross Key Scriptures * Leviticus 17:11 * 2 Samuel 7:12–13 * Jeremiah 31:31–34 * Isaiah 53 * John 1:29 * Luke 24:27 * Hebrews 10:1–4 * Hebrews 4:14–16 Reflection Questions * What part of the Old Testament has always confused you most? * How does understanding the sacrificial system change the way you see the cross? * If the Old Testament is one long arrow pointing to Jesus — what does that change about how you read it? Want to Go Deeper? * According to Plan — Graeme Goldsworthy * How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth — Gordon Fee & Douglas Stuart Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been avoiding the Old Testament. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend

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episode Sermon Series | The End Is All About Jesus | 7. The Churches of Jesus Part 5: The Dead Church in Sardis artwork

Sermon Series | The End Is All About Jesus | 7. The Churches of Jesus Part 5: The Dead Church in Sardis

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 5: The Dead Church in Sardis Revelation 3:1-6 The Main Point: A dead church relies on past reputation, but a living church lives in the reality of faith in Jesus. * A City with a Past Reputation (v1a) * It was strong. * It was overconfident. * A Christ with an Eternal Reputation (v1b) * He has the Spirit. (Isa 11:2; Jn 14:26; 16:7) * He holds the church. (Hebr 13:8) * A Church with an Present Reputation (vv1c-3) * They are accused. (v1c; Rom 8:10; Mt 7:21-23) * They are instructed. (vv2-3a) * “Be prepared!” (Mt 24:42-43; 1 Cor 16:13) * “Be strong!” (2 Thess 2:16-17; Jas 5:8) * “Be repentant!” * They are warned. (v3b) * Christians with a Future Reputation (vv4-6) * They will be holy. (Dan 12:10) * They will be safe. (Ex 32:33b) * They will be recognized. (Mt 7:23) * Next week’s sermon: The Churches of Jesus: Part 6, The Enduring Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)

Yesterday38 min
episode Sermon Series | The End is All About Jesus | 6. The Churches of Jesus Part 4: The Growing Church in Thyatira artwork

Sermon Series | The End is All About Jesus | 6. The Churches of Jesus Part 4: The Growing Church in Thyatira

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 4: The Growing Church in Thyatira Revelation 2:18-29 The Main Point: A growing church must protect itself from the dangerous influence of idolatry. * The True King (v18) * Ps 2:1-12; Mt 6:19-21 * A growing church follows Christ as their king. * The Growing Church (v19) * A growing church produces good works. (Ps 92:12) * The Idolatrous Influence (vv20-23) * 1 Ki 16:30-33; 21:21-24, 25-26 * A growing church is still a target. * The Faithful Remnant (vv24-25) * 1 Ki 18:3b-4 * A growing church must remain faithful to Christ. * The Promising Future (vv26-29) * A growing church has a future to look forward to, if they remain faithful to Christ. Next week’s sermon: The Churches of Jesus: Part 5, The Dead Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)

1. juni 202641 min
episode Discussion Series | Rooted | 7. Law Vs. Grace artwork

Discussion Series | Rooted | 7. Law Vs. Grace

Episode Summary Pastor Grant joins the conversation to help us work through one of the most important tensions in the Christian life — the relationship between law and grace. Why do Christians still struggle with sin after salvation? Why does guilt linger even after forgiveness? And what does sanctification actually look like day to day? Key Topics Covered * What the law does — and what it was never designed to do * What grace does — and what it doesn't excuse * Why guilt lingers after forgiveness * What sanctification actually looks like in real life Key Scriptures * Romans 3:20 — Through the law comes knowledge of sin * Romans 6:1–2 — Grace is not permission to sin * Romans 8:1 — No condemnation in Christ Jesus * Galatians 3:24 — The law as a tutor leading us to Christ * Philippians 2:12–13 — Work out your salvation * 1 John 1:9 — He is faithful to forgive Key Takeaways * The law is a mirror — it shows the problem but cannot fix it * Grace doesn't lower the standard — it meets it on your behalf * Conviction leads to repentance. Condemnation leads to despair. They are not the same thing. * Sanctification is not you trying harder — it is you cooperating with what God is already doing in you * You are justified. You are being sanctified. You will be glorified. Reflection Questions * Was your faith growing up more law-based or grace-based — and how did that shape you? * What's the difference between conviction and condemnation in your own experience? * Are you relating to God more like a slave trying not to get in trouble — or a child who is already loved? * What does your sanctification actually look like day to day? Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been carrying guilt they were never meant to hold. Subscribe | Leave a Review | Share with a Friend

22. maj 202624 min
episode Sermon Series | The End Is All About Jesus | 4. The Churches of Jesus Part 2: The Persecuted Church in Smyrna artwork

Sermon Series | The End Is All About Jesus | 4. The Churches of Jesus Part 2: The Persecuted Church in Smyrna

The End is All About Jesus The Churches of Jesus Part 2: The Persecuted Church in Smyrna Revelation 2:8-11 The Main Point: Jesus is our hope to endure persecution. * Persecuted Christians find hope in the gospel of Jesus. (v8) * Jesus suffered. (Isa 53:3; Lk 9:22; 1 Pet 2:21) * Jesus won. (2 Cor 8:9) * Persecuted Christians find hope in the sovereignty of Jesus. (v9) * Jesus knows their situation. (Mt 24:9; Rom 8:35; Rev 1:9; Jas 2:5) * Jesus knows the true heart of their oppressors. (Rm 2:28-29; 9:8; Gal 6:15; Lk 11:39) * Persecuted Christians find hope in the promises of Jesus. (v10) * Suffering is temporary. (Dan 1:12; 2 Cor 4:17-18) * The reward is eternal. * Persecuted Christians find hope in the victory of Jesus. (v11) * Jesus has conquered. (Rev 20:14; 21:8) * We can conquer. Next week’s sermon: The Churches of Jesus: Part 3, The Vulnerable Church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)

18. maj 202635 min