Extra Takes

Empowered | Gospel Wins and People's Losses (Palm Sunday 2024)

Join us as Pastor Josh and Matt Shiles discuss this week's sermon regarding Acts 17, verses 1 through 15.  Pastor Josh expands on his main point: Gospel wins cause some people's losses; or Gospel victory can cause some people's misery; or Gospel success can cause a mess. Pastor Josh opens up about one of his idols, and how he's dealt with it. They then discuss the consequences of not teaching the comprehensive nature of faith, warning against a shallow understanding that focuses solely on a single moment of decision without considering the ongoing process of sanctification.

Empowered | Week 4 | (part two)

In this episode of "Extra Takes," PJ and Mr. Shiles discuss Acts 16, focusing on mission, vision, and evangelism. They talk about the difference between being ready to hear the Gospel and needing to be freed to hear it. Exploring various forms of hindrance—spiritual, cultural, social, and intellectual—they share practical insights on how to share the message of Jesus in a changing world.

Empowered | Week 4 | (part one)

In this episode, PJ and co-host Matt Shiles delve into the dynamics of contextualization within the framework of a regional church like Northland. They underscore the importance of tailoring sermon preparation and ministry approaches to resonate with the diverse demographics and cultural context of Central Florida. Exploring the risks of under-contextualization and over-contextualization, they offer practical insights for navigating discussions that integrate the gospel message with contextualization. Ultimately, the episode highlights how contextualization shapes ministry effectiveness and outreach strategies in today's diverse society.

Empowered | Week 3

Join us as Pastor Josh and Matt Shiles discuss this week's sermon from Acts 15: 36-41. The main ideas are: (1) Sometimes God prompts leaders to split over sharp disagreements about strategy that multiplies mission efforts, and (2) Sometimes God allows for disappointments that develop us for later duties. Pastor Josh expands on the struggles of leadership in church situations in an interesting discussion of leadership and development.

Empowered | Week 1 | (part two)

Join Pastor Josh and Matt Shiles as they record another podcast in the exact same outfits as the last one! 
Listen in as Pastor Josh describes the high bar and low bar of entry into the gospel. The high bar involves adding conditions like works or specific practices to faith in Jesus, potentially hindering people from coming to Christ. Pastor Josh emphasizes the danger of making salvation about adherence to rules rather than understanding the transformative power of the gospel. He draws parallels to the parable of the prodigal son, illustrating the misconceptions people may have about God's love.
They also talk about the danger when cultural or religious practices are added to the message of salvation. Overall, the episode aims to explore and clarify aspects of the gospel, its potential misunderstandings, and its transformative impact on individuals and communities.

Empowered | Week 1 (part one)

Join Pastor Josh and Matt Shiles as they dive deeper into this week's sermon, based on Acts 15. This is the first week of our new Empowered series, answering the questions why do we need the gospel? And then what is the gospel? Of course, they end with the conclusion that we are saved through Jesus, not through works or acts.
Pastor Josh also gives a glimpse into the process of crafting and delivering a sermon while emphasizing the timeless significance of the gospel message.

Engage | Commision (conclusion of the series)

Pastor Josh is joined by Pastor Gus as they discuss the final sermon in the Engage series. Listen in as they discuss the significance of the series, delving into the biblical foundation for the church's commission, talking about various Psalms that highlight God's heart for the nations. The Pastors explore how the theme of commission is woven throughout the entire Bible, starting from Genesis, where the creation of the table of nations is discussed. Pastor Josh spends time drawing parallels between the creation of Adam and Eve and the creation of nations through God's judgment in Genesis 11.

Engage | Care for God’s People and His Resources

Listen in as Pastor Josh and Matt Shiles delve deeper into part 3 of our Engage series, dealing with the 3rd "C", Care.
Pastor Josh takes time to review where we are in the series, and why he decided to put the series together.  Matt directs Pastor Josh through a discussion of the four points that were covered in the sermon, then they wrap up with a brief history lesson of Christianity in Rome and how it transformed that world. Pastor Josh then gives some book recommendations at the end of the podcast for further study.

Engage | Cultivate Disciples and Leaders

Listen in as Pastor Josh and Matt Shiles cover more from this weekend's sermon on Cultivating Disciples and Leaders. Starting with the main point: Jesus expects his followers to cultivate disciples and leaders so that they might reflect God's glory in all spheres of life.  They tackle the 3 questions from the sermon: Why do we cultivate? What do we do to Cultivate? How does Cultivate impact our life?
Also discussed are: The challenge faced by Christians in differentiating the secular from the sacred, and the dangers inherent in misplaced devotions.
This episode paves the way for the future discussions on the remaining C's: Care and Commission, furthering our understanding of the Christian faith and its implications for daily living.
 
 

Engage | Connect with the Lord and Others

Join Pastor Josh and his co-host Matt Shiles as they delve into the second sermon of the Engage Series. Pastor Josh unfolds the idea of connecting with God and others, especially through the lens of corporate worship. Hear the answers to the 3 questions: Why do we connect? What do we do when we connect? What happens when we connect? And the bonus question, how should you prepare yourself to connect for corporate worship?
 
Listen in as Pastor Josh talks about parallels with modern-day temples like sports stadiums and theaters, encouraging listeners to strike a balance between engaging in culture and maintaining a healthy perspective on priorities.