Behind The Pulpit

Aliens...Again

Something weird is happening at the intersection of headlines and faith: UAP photos drop, “alien disclosure” talk spikes, and some people insist the next release could rattle the church. We don’t bite the panic bait. We walk through the main Christian reactions, talk honestly about skepticism toward government narratives, and then plant our feet where they belong, on the resurrection of Jesus. If Christ rose, every other claim has to fit around that truth, not replace it. From there, we shift into 2 Timothy 3 and get personal about discernment in an age of AI-generated content, viral theology clips, and platform-first teaching. We recap a sermon built around one diagnostic question: how do you know whether your faith is real or counterfeit? Paul’s answer cuts through appearances and goes straight to what your life loves, what it seeks, and what it costs. We also talk about “having the appearance of godliness,” how spiritual costumes form, and how to spot twisted half-truths without slapping the “false teacher” label on every secondary disagreement. Then Noah takes us into 2 Timothy 3:16–17, the classic passage on the inspiration of Scripture: God-breathed words that teach, reprove, correct, and train. We connect it back to Genesis 3’s “Did God really say?” and the pride that makes us critique the Bible rather than letting it read us. If you want a clearer view of biblical authority, sanctification, and what it means to be equipped for every good work, this one is for you. Subscribe so you don’t miss the final stretch of 2 Timothy, and if this helped you think more clearly, share it with a friend and leave a review. *SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW HERE* https://millingtonbaptist.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/241/responses/new 175th Anniversary Service https://millingtonbaptist.org/mbc-175th-anniversary-worship-service/ Charter Day Sign Up https://millingtonbaptist.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/243/responses/new Passion Conference jgraves@millingtonbaptist.org Chapters: 0:00 Open 6:36 In The News 15:56 The Great Book War 19:41 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 3:1-15 33:31 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Music "Ventura" Morgan Taylor U76EPPNJDYZYU0Y7

Don't Hug the Goose

This week on Behind the Pulpit, the pastors open with hydration talk, Proverbs 4:25 in the Weekly Warm-Up, and another round of Book War as the season moves toward a possible clinch. In the news segment, the discussion looks at a developing mRNA immunotherapy treatment for pancreatic cancer and how Christians can think about medical advancement, common grace, and the hope of healing. The pastors also respond to the recent White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and the evil of political violence. The sermon recap covers two messages from 2 Timothy, focusing on quarreling, kindness, repentance, sexual integrity, hidden sin, guardrails, lust, and what it means to honor God with our bodies. The episode closes with a Theology Sprint on heaven and the Christian hope of life with God in the new creation. *SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW HERE* https://millingtonbaptist.ccbchurch.c... **VOTE HERE** The Great Book War is on!  Vote for the winner of the 'Great Book War' with the link below! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdE4oCnX2ZYEeYrKiGmDDfZDDnw0KzBm-lF6tWDUtzNZnENAA/viewform?usp=header TREE PLANTING https://millingtonbaptist.org/mbc-175th-tree-planting-ceremony/ STEPHEN MINISTRY https://millingtonbaptist.org/stephen-ministry/ SERVE WITH CITY RELIEF https://millingtonbaptist.org/missions/cityrelief/ VBS 2026 https://millingtonbaptist.org/vbs-2026/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:54 Weekly Warmup 5:48 In The News 16:56 The Great Book War 25:10 Audience Questions 29:30 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 2:20-26 44:09 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 2:22 1:00:21 In The News Part 2 1:02:23 Theology Sprint Music "Ventura" Morgan Taylor U76EPPNJDYZYU0Y7

Midwestern Gray Areas | Behind the Pulpit S4E24

This week on Behind the Pulpit, the pastors reconnect after a couple weeks away, reflecting on recent travel, time at Midwestern Seminary, and a few moments from life and ministry. Book War continues as the competition tightens and the standings shift heading into another key round. In the news segment, the discussion centers on a recent Supreme Court decision involving conversion therapy bans, raising questions about free speech, religious liberty, and the role of government in counseling practices. The conversation also touches briefly on the Artemis II mission and a tragic local shooting, considering how Christians think through both cultural developments and difficult realities. The sermon recap covers two passages from 2 Timothy, focusing on the call to remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead and the challenge of maintaining unity within the church. The discussion explores the difference between core doctrines and gray areas, the seriousness of false teaching, and how believers can pursue truth while avoiding unnecessary division, ending with a clear exhortation toward faithfulness in both belief and conduct. **SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW HERE** https://millingtonbaptist.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/241/responses/new ***VOTE HERE*** The Great Book War is on!  Vote for the winner of the 'Great Book War' with the link below! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdE4oCnX2ZYEeYrKiGmDDfZDDnw0KzBm-lF6tWDUtzNZnENAA/viewform?usp=header HOLY WEEK https://millingtonbaptist.org/holy-week-2026/ THE BRIDGE https://millingtonbaptist.org/the-bridge-april-12th/ MEMBERSHIP CLASS https://millingtonbaptist.org/about-us/membership/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 3:03 Pastor Bob Travel Recap 9:14 In The News 24:36 The Great Book War 32:43 Audience Questions 44:17 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 2:8-13 1:02:48 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 2:14-19 1:21:20 Theology Sprint Music "Ventura" Morgan Taylor U76EPPNJDYZYU0Y7

Talarico & Timothy

This week on Behind the Pulpit, the pastors look ahead to Holy Week at MBC, including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. They walk through what makes this week so central to the Christian faith and invite listeners to intentionally slow down and reflect on the cross and resurrection as a church family. In the news segment, the conversation focuses on James Talarico’s recent theological comments in the public square, including claims about God being non-binary, the Bible being pro-choice, and the priority of the red letters over the rest of Scripture. The discussion also includes a brief tribute to Chuck Norris and the cultural phenomenon that followed him for years. The sermon recap covers both recent messages from 2 Timothy, with discussion on courage under fire, fear and moral cowardice, co-suffering in the Christian life, gospel drift, and the challenge to guard and pass on the faith to the next generation. Book War continues, two listener questions take up prayer and Jesus’ words from the cross, and the Theology Sprint closes with a focused explanation of why Christians do not affirm the Quran. **SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW HERE** https://millingtonbaptist.org/sermons/behind-the-pulpit-ask-your-questions/ ***VOTE HERE*** The Great Book War is on!  Vote for the winner of the 'Great Book War' with the link below! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdE4oCnX2ZYEeYrKiGmDDfZDDnw0KzBm-lF6tWDUtzNZnENAA/viewform?usp=header HOLY WEEK https://millingtonbaptist.org/holy-week-2026/ THE BRIDGE https://millingtonbaptist.org/the-bridge-april-12th/ MEMBERSHIP CLASS https://millingtonbaptist.org/about-us/membership/ Chapters: 0:00 Intro 7:49 In The News 30:29 The Great Book War 39:00 Audience Questions 48:48 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 1:6-18 1:09:10 Sermon Recap | 2 Timothy 2.1-7 1:21:23 Theology Sprint Music "Ventura" Morgan Taylor U76EPPNJDYZYU0Y7

Replacement Theology?

This week on Behind the Pulpit, the pastors talk through a few major current issues, including the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the question of replacement theology, the church’s relationship to Israel, and a recent California case dealing with parental rights and school policies around gender identity. The episode also touches on anti-Semitism, public policy in New Jersey, and a quick update from the Paralympic sled hockey world. The sermon recap focuses on the opening of the new 2 Timothy series, especially Paul’s final charge to guard the gospel, pass the faith to the next generation, and think intentionally about the future of the church. The conversation spends time on the significance of MBC’s 175th year, the image of the three-chair church, and what it means to prepare now for the people who are not here yet. The Weekly Warm-Up centers on Ephesians 4:22, Book War continues, and the Theology Sprint closes with a question about eating and sleeping in heaven. **SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW HERE** https://millingtonbaptist.org/sermons/behind-the-pulpit-ask-your-questions/ ***VOTE HERE*** The Great Book War is on!  Vote for the winner of the 'Great Book War' with the link below! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdE4oCnX2ZYEeYrKiGmDDfZDDnw0KzBm-lF6tWDUtzNZnENAA/viewform?usp=header Annual Business Meeting https://millingtonbaptist.org/annual-business-meeting-2026/ Hare Raising Egg Party https://millingtonbaptist.org/hare-raising-egg-party-2026/ Senior Lunch https://millingtonbaptist.org/seniors/ 175 Anniversary  https://millingtonbaptist.org/mbc-175th-anniversary/ Discussing End Times with Craig Blomberg & Darrell Bock | The Underground Sessions Podcast S4E4 https://youtu.be/eZMsL9lVW-8 Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:46 Weekly Warmup 11:17 In The News 28:39 The Great Book War 38:00 Audience Questions 57:37 Sermon Recap 1:21:23 Theology Sprint Music "Ventura" Morgan Taylor U76EPPNJDYZYU0Y7