Why do people who once seemed like stalwarts of Christian discipleship leave the faith? What leads them to deconstruct what they once professed and defended? In part two of our three-part series on deconstruction, we look at four contributing factors and are reminded again that people questioning their faith - and sometimes, sadly, walking away - is nothing new. Scriptures Referenced: John 6:60-69; 1Tim 4:1; 2Tim 2:17-18; 2Tim 4:10 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Pract...
Oct 03, 2022•28 min
This is the first of three episodes on deconstruction, a term that has become all too familiar in Christian circles the last few years. We walk through Psalm 73 and hear Asaph tell us his massive struggle with doubt and how God brought him through it into a faith far deeper and stronger than the faith he had before. Scriptures Referenced: Psa 73 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Sep 26, 2022•29 min
In this episode we go through four questions you can use to calm your stress-filled heart: (1) Have I forgotten who I really am? (2) Have I forgotten what my Lord really wants? (3) Have I forgotten that my Father really cares? (4) Have I forgotten what the voice of the Spirit really sounds like? Scriptures Referenced: Psa 131; Luk 10:38-42; 1Pet 5:6-7; Rom 8:15-17 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Sep 19, 2022•24 min
What would it be like to belong to a different world but go to school in this world? Well, students who are Christ-followers could tell you! We know it isn't easy being different, but Psalm 119 and other Scriptures help us look at this challenge with a Biblical perspective. Scriptures Referenced:Psa 119:19-24; Mt 5:11-12; 1Pet 2:11; 4:14-16 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Sep 12, 2022•18 min
How great is God's power to keep you safe? It is immeasurably great! After all, it is the same power that God exerted in raising Christ from the dead and seating him on the divine throne far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. At the end of Ephesians 1, Paul prays that the Holy Spirit would fill us with a pervasive sense of how safe we are in Christ! In this episode we also reflect on how the Christian faith tilts towards God, towards us, and towards grace. Scriptures Referenced...
Sep 05, 2022•22 min
D.A. Carson says, "just as we allow God’s words to reform our theology and our behaviour, let us let it also reform our praying." The prison prayers of Paul, of which this passage in Ephesians is one, are a treasure trove of spiritual wealth, and a valuable lesson on how to pray. But the prayers reveal not only the spiritual maturity of Paul, but the desires of God's heart for his people. Scriptures Referenced: Eph 1:15-19; Eph 3:14-21; Php 1:3-11; 4:6; Col 1:3-9 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com fo...
Aug 29, 2022•26 min
In Christ we have obtained an inheritance that is as secure as the Trinity. Before a genuine believer in Christ can lose his or her inheritance, God the Son would have to lose his inheritance, God the Father would have to lose control, and God the Holy Spirit would have to lose his seal. Grace has struck us eternally rich! Scriptures Referenced: Eph 1:11-14; 4:30; Gal 3:27-29; Col 1:3-5; Mark 12:1-12; Heb 1:2; Rom 8; Matt 5:5; Rev 21:7; 1 Cor 3:21-23 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episod...
Aug 22, 2022•28 min
Sometimes we feel very insignificant. But Scripture reminds us that Christ shed his blood for us, and that God's grace has brought us into something very special, and very big - God's plan for the ages in Christ. And God has revealed that plan to us because, if we understand it well, it will exalt the significance of our lives today. Scriptures Referenced: Eph 1:7-10 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Aug 15, 2022•24 min
The first of our blessings in Christ that Paul celebrates in Ephesians 1 is the blessing of God choosing us. The doctrine of election is not an issue to get Christians fighting, but a blessing to get us praising. That's not to say we don't have lots of questions about it though. In this episode, Mike and Matthew take us through 6 questions Ephesians 1 raises, and answers, about the precious doctrine of election. Scriptures Referenced: Eph 1:3-6 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Fol...
Aug 08, 2022•25 min
Many Christians feel stuck in their service for the Lord, wondering what exactly God wants them to do. Using the acronym ABBA, Matthew provides some guiding principles to help you know what the Lord wants YOU to do. Scriptures Referenced: Eccl 9:10; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12; Eph 4:4-16; Col 4:17 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Aug 01, 2022•20 min
There's a pernicious myth out there that theology isn't practical. So Mike and Matthew head over to Acts 15 and draw out three points that expose this myth for what it is: (1) theology is everywhere; (2) theology is life-changing; (3) theology is a war fought with words. Theology isn't practical? Try telling that to the newly-saved Gentile gents in Antioch! Scriptures Referenced: Acts 15; Gal 5:1 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Faceb...
Jul 25, 2022•19 min
Christians are still sheep, and sheep still need to be shepherded. Not only do we have the faithful care of our Chief Shepherd in glory, the Lord Jesus, but God has also provided us with men on earth to care for our souls. In our final study of 7 NT metaphors for the local church, we see the church as a flock, and flocks need shepherds. What makes a good shepherd? In addition to looking at Scripture's qualifications for overseers (or, "pastors") in the local church, Matthew provides us with some...
Jul 18, 2022•27 min
Get the lowdown on this year's August Summer Challenge! This year we are calling all listeners, young and old, to join us in memorizing Ephesians 1. Matthew and Mike do a rapid-fire round of 10 reasons why you should take up the challenge and memorize this great chapter. Scriptures Referenced: Ps 119:11; John 15:4-10; Eph 5:18; Col 3:16 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Jul 11, 2022•13 min
Our thoughts can be true, but incomplete. Which is why we need to practice our mental follow-through. Psalm 36 illustrates this well. David begins the psalm thinking about the wicked man who's out to get him. But David doesn't stop there, because that's only half the picture. Thankfully for us, David goes on to round out his thoughts by thinking about the dimensions of God's love and faithfulness and wisdom. Also, in this episode we announce the most important detail about this year's August Sum...
Jul 04, 2022•21 min
When the risen Lord Jesus walks among the lampstands in Revelation 1, He is delivering Heaven's verdict on the practices of seven real churches. He is the true judge and He is also the one who knows the true value of each local church - they are golden lampstands, precious in his sight. Scriptures Referenced: Revelation 1-3 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook
Jun 27, 2022•23 min
Josh comes back one last time to walk us through Philippians 4:4-7, point us to some resources, and explain how a counselor can help us. Along the way he keeps calling Mike 'Michael' (something Mike quite enjoyed!), and smashes all previous records for longest episode on the Practicology Podcast. But for those who struggle with anxious feelings, it's worth every minute of it! Scriptures Referenced: Phil. 4:4-7; Psalm 119:25-26 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicolo...
Jun 20, 2022•37 min
Why do believers suffer? Why does God chasten his people? Because God loves us! He is not trying to make us bitter, but to make us better, and that the life of Jesus may be displayed in our mortal flesh. Listen in as Matthew's father, Lloyd, takes us through the crucible of chastening - its reality, our reactions, God's reasons, and the results of the trials we endure. Scriptures Referenced: Job 4:5-9; 42:14; Prov 3:11-12; 17:3; 1Kings 1:5-6; Joh 15:1-2; 2Cor 1:3-4; 4:7-11; 12:7; Heb 12:5-11 Vis...
Jun 13, 2022•26 min
Why is there so much anxiety today? Where is it all coming from? To know the cause is often to know the cure (or at least some things that can help). Josh is back to take us through six pieces that contribute to the puzzle of why anxiety is so rampant in our culture. (On the subject of suicide, listeners are encouraged to search the Vine To Branches blog where Josh has a helpful series of articles to help.) Scriptures Referenced: Psalm 11:13, 26:3; Eph 2:12; Rom 1; 1Pet 3:15 Visit PracticologyPo...
Jun 06, 2022•26 min
Paul's heart for the church of God beat in harmony with God's heart. His passion was to see the church maintain a purity of devotion to Christ - but purity of devotion depended on good teaching. Do we place a proper value on the teaching and beliefs of the local church? Scriptures Referenced: Exo 34:14; 1Cor 4:15; 2Cor 11:1-6 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook.
May 29, 2022•24 min
Christian counsellor Josh Smith joins us to kick off a series on anxiety. In this first episode we raise awareness about anxiety and expose the stigma that (sadly) accompanies it. It's OK to be someone who suffers anxiety, and it's really really OK to ask for help! Josh also gives us practical tips on figuring out who we can go to for help, and he explains what Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is. Along the way we share a little bit from our personal lives, discuss the importance the Bible attaches ...
May 23, 2022•29 min
Just as we expect our own houses to be governed by the values and principles that we hold, so it is with God's household, the church. The local church is like an outpost for Heaven on the earth, with the privilege and responsibility of upholding the name of Christ and reflecting how awesome our God is.Scriptures Referenced:Gen 28:10-22; Mat 18:15-20; 1Tim 3:14-16Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook.
May 16, 2022•23 min
Greeting one another and making small talk can be awkward and feel fake at times. But it's actually a big deal. God himself greets us, and he commands us to greet one another. And when we do so, we're actually saying far more than we realize. We're acknowledging the value and worth of another human being in a way that is deeply meaningful. Don't miss the opportunity to be a blessing to someone--greet them!Scriptures Referenced: Gen 3:9; Exod 18:7; Matt 10:12; Phil 4:21-23; Rom 16; Dan 10:11; Rut...
May 09, 2022•31 min
One of the most beautiful and instructive metaphors of the church is that of the body. It teaches us about unity, diversity, and interdependency. Listen as Mike & Matthew talk about the blessing that commitment and accountability bring to the local church.Scriptures Referenced: 1Cor 12:12-27; Eph 4:3; Php 1:27; Php 2:3-5Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook.
May 02, 2022•23 min
Finding a friend can be one of the greatest joys in life. Not having a friend can be one of life's greatest sorrows. How do we go about finding a friend? The good news for shy people is this: the best way to go about finding a friend is to do it indirectly. You don't need to change your personality; you just need to develop personal interests. If your shortage of good friends is a major source of angst for you, this episode is just for you!Scriptures Referenced: Col 3:4; Php 1:21; Heb 2:14; John...
Apr 25, 2022•22 min
The structural integrity of any building is largely dependent on its foundation. The local church is no different - its foundation is Jesus Christ. And a church that forgets its foundation is sure to make mistakes in its attempts to add to the building, and to beautify the building. And because this building is so special to God, it also comes with a solemn warning to anyone that destroys it. How can someone destroy a local church? Listen to Matthew & Mike in this episode for help in avoidin...
Apr 18, 2022•23 min
Re-join Mike and Seth as they continue their conversation on art. In the previous part, they discussed art in relation to creation. In this episode, the conversation turns to art and redemption, to the beauty of the cross. They also talk briefly about how to guard against the dangers of art, and the importance of encouraging artists, in part because of their ability to incline people to be willing to hear the gospel.Scriptures Referenced: 2 Cor 4 Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.F...
Apr 11, 2022•17 min
God loves gardens. He knows what he's talking about when he compares the local church to a field that is cultivated - like a farm, or a garden. So how can we make sure that churches remain places of planting and growth - spiritual gardens instead of flesh factories?Scriptures Referenced: 1Cor 3:1-9Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook.
Apr 04, 2022•20 min
Let's talk about art! What does our love of art tell us about God, the world, and us? What place does art have in the life of the Christian? Can art help move people closer to hearing and believing the Christian gospel? These are the sorts of questions Mike explores in this conversation with Seth Griffin.Scriptures Referenced: Gen 1; Ps 19Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook.
Mar 28, 2022•28 min
When will COVID be over and done with? We're not sure, but we do know that the road to recovery will not be easy, and we'll all need some help along the way. In this episode Mike and Matthew talk about six much-needed tools for the task ahead.Scriptures Referenced: Rom 8:28; Ps 4:4; Lev 19:17-18; Eph 4:26-27; Titus 3:1-8; Matt 18:23-35; 1 Cor 13:7; Phil 3:20-21Visit PracticologyPodcast.com for more episodes.Follow the Practicology Podcast on Twitter and Facebook.
Mar 21, 2022•26 min
Hell is a horrible reality, and yet Christians are not to be embarrassed by it. God's salvation is amazingly complete; after saving us from hell, he then forces hell to serve the believer's wellbeing and joy. In this episode we discuss how Christ has pressed hell into his service, causing it to save us from six things: hopelessness, vengefulness, joylessness...Tune in to hear the rest.Scriptures Referenced: Ps 98:5-9; Rev 11:16-18; Rom 9:22-24; 12:17-21; Eph 2:1-10; Col 3:5-8; Eph 5:3-6; Rom 10:...
Mar 14, 2022•23 min
