Taking Your Next Step In Following Jesus Christ

This episode dives into the powerful doctrine of justification, as explored in the book of Romans. We explore what it means to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Justification is not about earning righteousness but being declared righteous in God's eyes. This judicial concept emphasizes the removal of sin's guilt and the addition of Jesus's righteousness to believers. Join us as we explore this truth and its impact on living a victorious Christian life.

Welcome to this week's episode of our podcast, featuring a special guest, Anthony Rocco, who is a student at ECU and serves on the leadership team at CFC.

Anthony dives into the life and teachings of John the Apostle, exploring themes of obedience and love as essential paths to understanding and walking with God. He prompts us to reflect on the powerful transformation of John's character, from a fiery temperament to a life centered on love and service.

Through biblical narratives and personal anecdotes, this episode invites you to embrace obedience not as a checklist, but as a heart posture centered on trust and devotion. Anthony also explores the concept of worship as a lifestyle, encouraging us to express our faith through love and obedience daily.

In today's episode, we dive deeper into the parable of the two lost sons, moving beyond the traditional focus on the prodigal son to explore the lessons revealed by the reaction of the older brother. This episode challenges us to reflect on our own perceptions of righteousness and forgiveness.

Through the lens of this parable, we examine how the older brother's response reveals a truth about self-righteousness and the dangers of believing ourselves to be morally superior. As we unravel the older brother syndrome, we uncover how it mirrors our tendencies to serve God from a place of fear rather than love. The older brother teaches us that God's love is not earned by our actions, but is a gracious gift for every repentant heart.

Join us in this episode as we dive into the timeless parable of the Prodigal Son, exploring the intricate dynamics between the younger son, the older son, and their father. Discover how this story uniquely speaks to both those on a journey of self-discovery and those adhering to moral duty, highlighting two distinct paths to seeking acceptance and significance from God.

Explore the profound love and forgiveness shown by the Father, representing God's unfathomable grace toward humanity. Learn why the Father's response to his son's return is key to understanding unconditional acceptance and restoration. 

On this week's episode, we welcome back Kosta Kappas, an intern with CFC, as our guest speaker. He dives into the journey of discovering Jesus, focusing on His roles as Christ and King. We explore the significance of Palm Sunday and Easter, not as separate events but as parts of a singular narrative pointing to Jesus's sacrifice and sovereignty. Kosta invites listeners to reflect on their perception of Jesus, encouraging us to consider His divine authority and the gift of salvation. 

On this week's episode, we will explore the role that temptations play in our daily lives and how we can overcome them. Temptations are powerful tools used to lead us away from living a victorious life. 

We will explore how temptations are not sin themselves but rather opportunities where our decisions matter the most. We discuss the distinction between the inclinations of temptation and the act of sinning, stressing the importance of responding to temptations in a way that leads to victory rather than defeat.

Join us as we discuss how Jesus' response to Satan's temptations provides a blueprint for our struggles. Through understanding and applying God's word, we can discern God's will over deceitful shortcuts and live triumphantly over sin.

Join us on today's episode as we explore the essential practice of balancing retreat and return in our lives, drawing inspiration from Jesus' practices as shown in the Gospels. Learn how creating a rhythm where we intentionally step back and find moments of solitude can enhance our spiritual growth and align us with God's purpose, even amidst life's chaos. Discover practical steps on establishing personal retreat, overcoming common obstacles like distractions and hurry, and nurturing your faith. Recharge spiritually and be more effective in your journey with Christ as you learn the practice of retreat and return.

In this episode, we have joined by our special guest, Denver Hader, who shares his insights on the significance of having strong convictions and maintaining consistent communion with God, inspired by the story of Daniel. Denver dives into the challenges Daniel faced, from being captured and forced into a new culture to standing firm in his faith despite external pressures. Discover how Daniel chose his convictions over conformity, upheld daily communion with God, and trusted in God's guidance even in the face of life-threatening trials. Join us as we uncover these timeless lessons and learn how to apply them to our own spiritual journeys.

On today's episode, we explore the profound impact of personal testimonies in sharing the gospel. We talk about the importance of your personal story and how it can effectively connect with others, encouraging them to explore their own faith journeys.

Discover practical strategies for transitioning everyday conversations into meaningful spiritual discussions, overcoming common fears, and understanding the three key parts of a compelling testimony. With real-life examples and guidance from biblical teachings, learn how to share your faith authentically and inspire others to consider their relationship with Jesus Christ.

On today's episode we have a special guest, Kosta Kappas, who is going to talk about trusting in the Lord's direction rather than the destination. 

We will dive into the story of Abraham, emphasizing the power of faith and obedience when the future is uncertain. Through biblical insight and personal testimony, Kosta encourages us to have faith in the steps God calls us to take, much like Abraham did, trusting in the journey rather than fixating on a desired outcome. Discover how surrendering control and embracing faith can lead to divine opportunities and blessings beyond our expectations.

Prayer is a universal practice that transcends religious and cultural boundaries. As we consider prayer, it poses questions like whether there is a right way to pray, how to pray effectively, and where the power in prayer truly comes from.

Throughout this episode, we explore the challenges believers face in maintaining a consistent prayer life and how the power of nothing propels us to seek God with boldness and persistence. Gain insight into understanding God not as a reluctant friend but as a loving Father eager to hear from us.

Discover the transformative principles that emerge from having nothing, leading to bold and persistent prayers that strengthen your relationship with God. Learn how persistence in prayer can overcome apathy, change your heart, refine your prayers, and keep you dependent on God. If you struggle with maintaining a prayer routine, this episode offers encouragement to start where you are and make gradual steps towards a deeper and more effective prayer life.

What does Jesus see when He looks at our modern world and culture?

We will discuss some alarming statistics regarding the spiritual drift of young adults and highlight the sense of spiritual curiosity among unbelievers. In a world saturated with misinformation, the need for truth and guidance is more important than ever.

Jesus' compassion for the lost calls us to action, encouraging us to pray for laborers and to be the answer to that prayer. We will talk talk about practical ways to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around you.

Join us as we learn from Paul's approach in Athens and discover how to effectively communicate with those curious about spirituality.

We discuss the significance of starting with creation, understanding our audience, and addressing the core issues that may hinder their openness to the Gospel. Explore how to use questions, appeal to the conscience, and share the message of Jesus Christ with clarity and compassion.

Listen in to find out how you can build bridges with unbelievers, overcome barriers, and help others see their need for a relationship with Jesus. Whether you face skeptics or seekers, this episode equips you to share the truth with confidence and grace.

In this episode, we explore the profound shift in our culture where curiosity about spiritual matters is more alive than ever. Discover how to navigate this change by intentionally engaging with others through the power of hospitality, conversation, and relationship-building.

Learn the role hospitality plays in making room for the gospel. Discover how to break through prejudices and see others as God's creation, extending love and grace through simple acts like sharing a meal or inviting someone for coffee.

We also dive into the example set by Jesus, who sat with sinners and publicans, and the apostle Paul, who commended the spiritually curious in Athens. Both teach us that effective discipleship cannot occur without building genuine relationships.

Join us as we seek to be more intentional in our daily lives, offering hospitality, forming connections, and guiding others on their spiritual journey. Together, let's make room for the gospel and foster environments where faith can flourish.

Today's episode dives into a compelling question: Do unbelievers want to hear about the gospel? Often, in our increasingly secular society, we assume a general disinterest in spiritual matters. However, recent studies reveal a different narrative — a significant number of non-Christians are actually open, curious, an exploring matters concerning spirituality.

Join us as we explore the surprising openness to spiritual conversations among skeptics and agnostics. We discuss research from the book "Faith for the Curious," which highlights the spiritual curiosity present in today's younger generation. Discover how you can engage with those around you who may be exploring faith, seeking truth, and needing someone to guide them on their spiritual journey.

This episode offers practical insights and six strategies for "making room for the gospel" in daily life. From being intentional and starting genuine conversations to listening and asking open-ended questions, we unpack the art of dialoguing about faith. Whether you're speaking with colleagues, neighbors, or classmates, learn how to break barriers and connect through meaningful spiritual dialogue.