Food For Your Soul

Stay Salty: Mark 9:49-50 Explained – What Jesus Taught about Suffering, Sanctification & Hell What does Jesus mean when He says "Everyone will be salted with fire" and "Have salt in yourselves"? In this expository message on Mark 9:49-50, we unpack one of the most difficult and controversial passages in the Gospels. Discover why suffering is the fire that makes Christians "salty," how losing your saltiness is a real and terrifying danger, and why Jesus ends with the command to "be at peace with each other." Key Topics: "Salted with fire" – Is this about hell, suffering, or Old Testament sacrifice? Why suffering refines and sanctifies believers (and why it's good to be "salty") If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-star rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beaut

Far more Americans believe in karma than believe in hell. People think hell is too harsh, but the doctrine of hell is actually more merciful than karma. Jesus taught the exact opposite of our culture's assumptions—and He did it in shocking, unforgettable language. In Mark 9:42–50, Jesus gives two of the most urgent warnings in Scripture: 1️⃣ Don't push people toward hell 2️⃣ Don't push yourself toward hell Why would Jesus give such intense warnings in a private teaching session with His disciples—and not the crowds? What dangers was He seeing in their lives? And why does Jesus connect eternal punishment with everyday things like influence, attitudes, habits, and desires? If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and powe

"In Jesus' Name"—Christians say the phrase all the time—at the end of prayers, in spiritual conversations, even in spiritual warfare. But is it a magical formula? A Christian catchphrase? Or something far more profound? Why did Jesus say "in My name" FOUR times in just five verses and never again in the entire Gospel of Mark? In this sermon Mark 9:33–41, we explore Jesus' own teaching on His Name and discover a truth that dismantles pride, redefines greatness, accrues heavenly reward, and transforms ordinary acts of love into powerful acts of worship. This passage is NOT a random collection of sayings—it's a masterpiece that exposes our addiction to earthly greatness and shows the only cure: exalting the Name of Christ If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-star rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since

We read of the disciples arguing who was the greatest, and we see it as immature and crass. But all of us have far more of that in us than we realize. This sermon will help you discover areas of self-exaltation and show the path toward true greatness. Discover: • Why Jesus didn't rebuke the desire for greatness — He redirected it • The hidden pride that makes us spiritually deaf when God calls us to suffer or deny ourselves • How arguments, envy, comparison, and even "I knew that" moments expose our quest for earthly glory • The staggering cultural background: why a little child was the ultimate picture of lowliness in the 1st century • Jesus' upside-down formula: "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since

What should you do when people with power over you are hurting you? That can be the worst fates in life. But when it happens, you can have hope because of what this passage teaches "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." (Mark 9:31) Why couldn't the disciples understand that simple statement? It's the same reason we often miss God's voice when he calls us to do something that will be painful or lowly. In this Bible study, you'll uncover: Why being "handed over to men" is worse than famine, plague, or war (2 Samuel 24:14) How human hatred amplifies suffering more than physical pain The hidden disease in the disciples' heart If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood

Discover the raw truth behind one of the most intense exorcisms in the Gospels. In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus confronts a vicious demon tormenting a boy from infancy—throwing him into fire and water to kill him. The disciples fail. The father wavers. Jesus acts with sovereign authority. But what really angered Jesus wasn't the father's doubt—it was the disciples' self-reliant unbelief.

"This kind comes out only by prayer" explained. Discover why the disciples could cast out other demons easily but not "this kind"—and how their self-reliance mirrors our own deadly "I got this" attitude today. Jesus didn't rebuke the disciples for lacking power—He grieved their lack of prayer and faith when their authority hit its limit. "This kind" (genos) refers to a superior class of demon beyond the disciples' delegated authority (Mark 3:15, 6:7). Prayer is the reflex of faith—prayerlessness reveals self-dependence, even in areas of God-given gifting. When we trust our skills instead of God, we fail people in crisis. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture ve

Have you ever pointed someone to Jesus or his Word and it only made matters worse? Sometimes the first step in healing can stir up dormant evil. In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus comes from transfiguration glory and faces a demonic nightmare, failing disciples, and a desperate father crying, "I believe; help my unbelief!" This expository sermon reveals two life-changing lessons for Christians today: (1) God calls us to the valley, not the mountaintop—bring grace to "one boy" at a time; (2) Things often get worse before they get better when God's Word confronts sin and darkness. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduat

Discover how to transform fleeting amazement at God's wonders into rock-solid faith that moves mountains! In this in-depth expository preaching from Mark 9:14-29, we dive deep into Jesus' encounter with a demon-possessed boy, a desperate father crying "I believe; help my unbelief!", and the disciples' shocking failure. Learn why unbelief pains Jesus more than evil itself, how grace is limited only by your faith, and practical steps to connect the dots: "God, if You can do THAT, what else can You do?" If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a

Did John the Baptist fulfill the Elijah prophecy from Malachi—restoring hearts for the Messiah? If so, why did the people reject Jesus? Was John's mission a failure? Unpack the "or else" clause, the disciples' resurrection confusion, and God's thunderous command: "This is my Son—listen to Him!" Learn to listen courageously, expect suffering in glory, and see how YOU continue Elijah's heart-turning ministry today. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and host of the Food For Your Soul radio b

Every religion claims to have the truth. How could one possibly sort through all of them? And how can you know for sure whether the claims of the Bible are true? This message offers clear answers from 2 Peter 1:16-19.

Welcome to the Food for Your Soul Podcast, where we dive deep into God's Word through verse-by-verse expository preaching. In this episode, we continue to unpack the profound truths of Mark 9:1-13, exploring the Transfiguration of Jesus and God's resounding command: "Listen to Him!" Join us for an in-depth Bible study that reveals why Jesus stands alone as God's ultimate mouthpiece, surpassing even Moses and Elijah. Perfect for those who cherish Scripture and seek transformative insights to grow their faith. Why This Matters: The Transfiguration shows Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, with God's command to focus on Him alone. Learn how to apply this truth to your spiritual journey. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been

Have you ever wondered why God didn't just speak from heaven to everyone, or perform miracles on demand to prove Himself? In this sermon on the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ (Mark 9), we discover that the best kind of evidence isn't what most people expect. God gave us something even stronger than personal experiences or dazzling miracles—reliable testimony, eyewitness accounts, and His own voice from heaven saying, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him." Your attitude toward Jesus shapes the way you hear His words. In this message, we'll explore: * Why God's way of providing evidence is better than the way we imagine. * How the Transfiguration proves beyond doubt that Jesus is the Son of God. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've b

Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain was one of the most important events in the gospel, and it's packed with meaning. After seeing it, Peter claimed he was an eyewitness to the Second Coming! We could go in many directions interpreting the meaning of this event, but a close look at the text makes it clear exactly what God says the meaning is.

Join us as we dive deep into Mark 8:27-38, where Jesus delivers one of the most challenging messages in Scripture. Why did Jesus call Peter "Satan" after his bold confession? What does it mean to deny yourself, take up your cross, and lose your life for Christ? This in-depth expository preaching unpacks the cost of true discipleship and the paradox of gaining eternal life by letting go of this world. Perfect for those who love the Bible and crave transformative teaching! If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, ch

You can be right about who Jesus is and still miss everything. Dive into the pivotal moment in the Gospel of Mark where Peter's great CONFESSION and his great CONFUSION appear back when Peter finally understands the first half of Mark but totally misses on the second half, which means he misses everything. In this in-depth expository sermon on Mark 8:27-34 (cross-referenced with Matthew 16:13-24 and Luke 9:18-23), discover why getting Jesus' identity right is only half the story—and why the path to glory through suffering is the heart of true discipleship. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody

When a web page becomes unstable and stops functioning, you have to refresh. The same thing happens to our faith. In 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter hits that refresh key—especially for strong, knowledgeable believers who are established in the faith. This expository sermon unpacks the key to being stirred up anew in your walk with God. ⛪ Peter spent his last breaths making sure the church wouldn't fall into forgetfulness. This message reveals how truths you already know can be used to stir you up and revitalize your walk with God. Learn how to rekindle your passion, guard your faith, and navigate the "time of testing" in your Christian journey. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Sc

If God has infinite knowledge and all power, why doesn't he provide such compelling proof of his existence and of the truth of the Bible that no one could deny it? Surely he could convince everyone, couldn't he? In Mark 8:11-15, some people asked Jesus for what they regarded as better evidence than what he had already provided. And his answer provides insight that is just as relevant to your life today as it was to the people Jesus spoke to that day. If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth pastor, senior pastor, church planter, and

Welcome to the Food for Your Soul Podcast, where we dive deep into expository preaching and biblical truths for those who cherish the Word of God! In this episode, we explore Mark 7:24-8:26, uncovering the profound theme of spiritual perception through six pivotal events in Jesus' ministry, including the strange miracle where He heals a blind man in two stages. Why did Jesus make a man see "men like trees walking"? What does this teach us about avoiding spiritual blindness and growing in faith? If you enjoy the episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a 5-stars rating. This helps others find the podcast. My sermons are the fruit of nearly 30 years of pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, formal seminary training, and a lifelong passion for God's Word. Since childhood, I've been drawn to the beauty and power of expository preaching—opening Scripture verse by verse and applying it to real life. After graduating from Moody Bible Institute, I spent the next 27 years serving as a youth

Why do people feel dirty when they commit certain sins? The answer is found in Jesus' teaching about cleanness and uncleanness. In this expository sermon on Mark 7:1-23, discover why you can't fight sin effectively without understanding its root cause—the human heart. Jesus' powerful teaching reveals that true uncleanness doesn't come from external influences but from within. If you're passionate about biblical truth and want lasting change in your spiritual life, this episode is for you!