Sound Words helps Christians love and live out God's Word. By discussing topics on the Bible, theology, and Christian living we desire to help people grow in their walk with Jesus Christ.
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Many Christians quietly wrestle with the question: “Am I really saved?” In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastors Jesse Randolph and Aaron Nicholson sit down with Benjamin, an elder at Indian Hills Community Church, to discuss assurance of salvation, doubt, false assurance, and the evidences of genuine saving faith. Together, they explore why sincere believers struggle with doubt, why assurance cannot ultimately rest in emotions or past spiritual experiences, and how Scripture points b...
Anxiety is on the rise—but Scripture gives clarity and hope. What is anxiety? Is it always sinful? How do we tell the difference between worry and godly concern? In this episode, we walk through key biblical passages and give practical ways to respond with trust in God. 00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast 00:25 The Rise of Anxiety in America 02:38 Defining Anxiety Biblically 08:41 Is Anxiety Always Sinful? 14:48 Practical Steps to Respond to Anxiety 19:02 Running to God in Times of Trouble ...
What is God’s will for your life—and how can you know if you’re missing it? In this episode, we unpack one of the most common struggles Christians face: feeling lost when making big decisions. Whether you’re choosing a career, navigating a major life change, or wondering if you’ve made the wrong choices, this conversation brings clarity and biblical direction. We explain the difference between God’s revealed will (what He clearly commands in Scripture) and His sovereign will (what He has ordaine...
In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Gary Gromacki, Professor of Bible and Theology at Calvary University , to explore one of the most debated issues in Christian theology: Israel’s role in God’s plan. Does Israel still matter to God today, or has the Church replaced Israel? What exactly did God promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and who inherits those promises? We also tackle the question, “Who is a Jew?” from a biblical perspective, and consider whether Christians...
How do you raise children who fear the Lord in a culture that rejects Him? In this episode, Pastor Virgil Walker joins us to discuss what faithful, biblical parenting looks like today. Scripture places the responsibility of spiritual training squarely on parents—not the church or youth ministry. So what does that actually look like in everyday life? We talk about shaping a biblical worldview in a world of competing influences, building rhythms of discipleship in the home, and pursuing heart-leve...
Why was Jesus crushed? Pastor Jesse Randolph unpacks the beauty and the sorrow of the cross in this deep dive into Isaiah 53. A must-watch for understanding the price of our redemption. Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church , a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE. Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org . Fo...
What does it mean that “it pleased the Lord to crush Him” (Isaiah 53)? In this episode, Pastor Jesse Randolph explains what was truly happening at the cross of Jesus Christ—not just physically, but spiritually. Why did the Father pour out His wrath on the Son? What was accomplished in those hours on the cross? And why was the resurrection absolutely necessary? This conversation moves beyond cultural Easter ideas and gets to the heart of the gospel. The cross was not an accident—it was the plan o...
Dr. Jason Beals explores Ezekiel 40-48, arguing for a literal interpretation of the future millennial temple based on consistent hermeneutics and biblical context. He details its multifaceted purposes as God's dwelling, a place of revelation, theocratic rule, and worship, situated after the tribulation and Christ's second coming. The discussion clarifies that future sacrifices serve for purification and consecration, not propitiation, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenants and its relevance for Christian hope today.
Many churches today focus heavily on the New Testament but rarely preach from the Old. What are we missing when the Old Testament is neglected? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Rick Goertzen (Countryside Bible Church in Hampton, NE) explains why the Old Testament is essential for understanding the full message of Scripture. We discuss how the New Testament writers relied on the Old Testament, how key doctrines like holiness, covenant, sin, sacrifice, and redemption are rooted t...
Many Christians find the Book of Revelation confusing or intimidating. In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Thomas Baber joins us to discuss how pastors and Bible teachers can faithfully preach and teach through this important book. We talk about how to explain Revelation’s imagery without speculation, avoid common misunderstandings, and keep the focus on Christ’s victory and the hope the book gives to the church. Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church , a Bible...
Churches are called to unity, yet division remains one of the greatest threats to the local body. In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Steve Swartz of Grace Bible Church in Bakersfield, California helps identify what most often tears churches apart—and how Scripture calls believers to respond. This conversation explores common causes of disunity, the difference between essential doctrine and secondary issues, and how humility, forgiveness, and love protect the church. Pastor Swartz...
Sexual sin rarely begins with a sudden fall—it develops subtly and progressively. In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, we examine why sexual sin must be addressed biblically and how it often follows a predictable spiral: desensitization, relaxation, fixation, rationalization, and degeneration. The episode concludes with practical, gospel-centered application aimed at repentance, accountability, and pursuing holiness. While sexual sin is deceptive and destructive, Christ offers forgiveness...
What does faithful, behind-the-scenes leadership in the local church really look like? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastors Aaron Nicholson and Jesse Randolph sit down with Andy Frahm for a personal conversation about his testimony, his journey to Indian Hills Community Church, and his role as an elder. Andy shares how the Lord brought him to saving faith, shaped him through years of ministry service, and used trials and challenges to deepen his dependence on Christ. The conversat...
What does it really mean to be “saved by the blood of Jesus”? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastors Aaron Nicholson and Jesse Randolph sit down with Pastor Kyle Swanson of Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona to examine one of the most central — and often misunderstood — themes of the gospel. Together they explore what the New Testament means by “the blood of Christ,” why blood is essential to atonement, and how Jesus’ death secures our justification before God. Drawing on the...
What is the “imputation of the active obedience of Christ,” and does Scripture actually teach it? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Aaron Nicholson interviews Pastor Jesse Randolph at the start of his five-week study leave to discuss a doctrine that is widely assumed in evangelical theology but rarely examined carefully. Pastor Jesse explains what active obedience claims, why it has become so popular, and what led him to question its biblical support. Together they walk through ...
Many Christians read the Bible as a collection of isolated stories or moral lessons—but Scripture presents a unified, unfolding storyline. In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Aaron Nicholson and Pastor Jesse Randolph are joined by Dr. Michael Vlach to explore the big picture of the Bible and why it matters. Dr. Vlach, Professor of Theology at Shepherds Theological Seminary and author of The Bible Storyline (https://amzn.to/3Nh0ZNN), explains how the covenants shape Scripture, why ...
What does it mean to recover a vintage faith —and why does the church need it today? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Dr. Cory Marsh discusses his book Recovering a Vintage Faith and explains why Christianity doesn’t need to be reinvented, but recovered. He addresses the pull toward theological minimalism and novelty-driven spirituality, the loss of historic convictions in modern evangelicalism, and how historical theology helps believers remain faithful to Scripture while engaging to...
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly—shaping how we write, teach, work, and even think. But how should Christians understand AI biblically and ethically? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Aaron Nicholson and Pastor Jesse Randolph are joined by Dr. Peter Goeman, Associate Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages at Shepherds Theological Seminary and host of The Bible Sojourner . Together, they explore what AI is (and isn’t), why it can never bear God’s image, and...
How should Christians think about work, productivity, and the use of time? In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Pastor Aaron Nicholson and Pastor Jesse Randolph are joined by Reagan Rose, Bible teacher and creator of Redeeming Productivity . Together, they explore how Scripture shapes our view of diligence, rest, and stewardship, how productivity can become an idol, and how the gospel reorients our daily tasks, goals, and schedules for God’s glory. This conversation offers both biblical c...
In this Christmas episode, we look at two striking responses to God’s announcement in Luke 1—Mary’s humble faith and Zechariah’s hesitant doubt. Drilling into their stories helps us see what a right response to Christmas really looks like. Pastor Jesse Randolph and Pastor Aaron Nicholson explore why even sincere believers can struggle to trust God, why Mary’s submission is so remarkable, how discipline differs from humble questioning, and why the birth of Christ is ultimately about God’s faithfu...
What does it mean to care for creation in a truly biblical way? Dr. Jonathan Moo—professor at Whitworth University with graduate degrees in both biblical studies and wildlife ecology—joins us to explore how Christians should think about the environment, stewardship, and our role in God’s world. We talk about what Genesis really means by “subdue and rule,” how everyday actions like littering and waste reflect our hearts, whether hunting can honor the Lord, and how believers should approach climat...
In this episode of Sound Words, Dr. David W. Jones of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary helps us think biblically about money, work, wealth, and generosity. We ask: – What does it mean to honor God with our finances? – How do we avoid making money an idol? – Is financial success wrong—or can it glorify Christ when stewarded well? – What does Scripture teach about helping the poor, giving generously, and making wise financial decisions? This conversation offers guidance for everyday life—...
How should Christians think about suffering, dying, and the end of life? Pastor Omri Miles joins Sound Words to help believers navigate one of the most emotionally and ethically challenging seasons we face. We discuss the image of God, euthanasia, medical intervention, and how the hope of resurrection shapes the way Christians face death—and care for those who are nearing it. Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church , a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE. Sound Words is also ...
What should Christians think about AI in medicine, stem-cell research, genetic editing, cyborg prosthetics, neural implants, and cloning? Dr. Mark Farnham ( Lancaster Bible College ) joins Sound Words to help believers navigate one of the most ethically complex areas of modern life—biotechnology. We discuss major ethical challenges, where to draw moral lines, how the image of God shapes our convictions, and how the church can prepare Christians to face rapidly advancing technologies with discern...
When does life begin—and how should that truth shape how we live, decide, and care for others? Dr. Scott Rae, Professor of Christian Ethics at Talbot School of Theology, joins us to talk about the beginning of life from a biblical and ethical perspective. From conception and personhood to reproductive technology, miscarriage, and compassion in complex medical situations, this episode helps believers navigate today’s bioethical challenges with both truth and grace. 📚 Topics Discussed: – What it ...
The Bible tells us that Christ is coming again—so how should we live in the meantime? Author and Bible teacher Lee Brainard ( soothkeep.info ) joins Sound Words to explain what true watchfulness looks like in light of the Lord’s return. From Matthew 24 to 1 Thessalonians 5, we discuss how believers can live with alertness, hope, and holiness—redeeming the time and keeping their eyes fixed on eternity. 📚 Topics Discussed: – What it means to live in light of the believer’s future hope – Biblical ...
Pastor Jeremy Howard joins Sound Words to unpack what the Bible teaches about the conscience—how it works, how it can be corrupted, and how it can be strengthened through truth and grace. Learn how to respond when convictions differ, avoid legalism, and walk faithfully before God with a conscience shaped by Scripture. 00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast 01:29 Why the Topic of the Conscience 03:27 Biblical View of the Conscience 07:21 Weakened or Seared Conscience 12:51 Conviction 14:02 When...
What does it mean that humans are made in the image of God? In this conversation with Dr. Brett Williams, we explore the biblical and theological meaning of the image of God, how it distinguishes humanity from the rest of creation, and how redemption in Christ restores what sin has broken. Dr. Williams also shares how understanding the image of God shapes key doctrines—salvation, sanctification, and our response to cultural debates about human dignity, identity, and value. 00:00 Welcome to the S...
Is morality just personal opinion—or is it rooted in God Himself? In this conversation with Dr. J.P. Moreland, we explore why morality is objective, how virtue connects to being conformed to Christ’s image, and how the church can model moral clarity in an age of relativism. Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church , a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE. Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical t...
How do we get from the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts to the English Bibles we read today? In this episode, Dr. Mark Ward—author, theologian, and YouTuber ( War on Words )—talks through the history of the Bible, why translation is so important, and how to understand the differences between versions. From formal to functional equivalence, we look at how to think biblically about choosing and using Bible translations. 00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast 02:30 Why We Study Translations ...
