Shows
"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 31: Almost Right – Why Discipleship Matters More Than You ThinkEpisode 31: Almost Right – Why Discipleship Matters More Than You Think In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive into Acts 18 and 19 to explore a critical truth: salvation is not the finish line—it’s the starting point of a life of discipleship. Through the examples of Apollos and the disciples of John the Baptist, we see how being almost right in our beliefs can still lead us far from where God wants us to be. They discuss: Why sincere belief isn’t the same as saving faith How spir...2025-05-2835 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 30: Strength for the Weary – How God Meets Us When We Want to QuitEpisode 30: Strength for the Weary – How God Meets Us When We Want to Quit In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon walk through Acts 18, where Paul—worn down and discouraged in Corinth—experiences God’s providential strength through people, promises, progress, and protection. This conversation unpacks how God shows up when we feel like giving up and reminds us that if we’re still breathing, we still have a mission. Together, they explore: Why Christian community is essential in seasons of discouragement What it means to find purpose in...2025-05-2144 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 29: The Unknown God – Engaging Culture Without Compromising TruthEpisode 29: The Unknown God – Engaging Culture Without Compromising Truth In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon explore Paul’s bold encounter with the people of Athens in Acts 17:16–34. Surrounded by idols and spiritual confusion, Paul steps into the cultural heart of the city—not with condemnation, but with compassion and clarity. They discuss how modern believers can follow Paul’s example by engaging a skeptical world thoughtfully, recognizing the “unknown gods” of our time—from comfort and politics to status and control. The conversation also tackles how to navigate spiritual curiosity, speak truth in l...2025-05-1437 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 28 – Boldness, Opposition, and the Berean SpiritEpisode 28 – Boldness, Opposition, and the Berean Spirit In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon explore Acts 17:1–15, where Paul and Silas continue their missionary journey through Thessalonica and Berea. They face strong opposition—but also find people eager to hear and examine the Scriptures. What do we do when truth is met with hostility? How do we maintain boldness without arrogance? And what can we learn from the Bereans, who listened eagerly and searched the Scriptures daily to discern what was true? This episode challenges us to be people of the Wo...2025-05-0733 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 27: Worship in the Chains – When the Mission Doesn’t Go as PlannedEpisode 27: Worship in the Chains – When the Mission Doesn’t Go as Planned In this powerful episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon take a deeper look at Acts 16, where Paul and Silas find themselves beaten, imprisoned, and seemingly stuck—yet still worshiping. This conversation unpacks how God often does His greatest work through our hardest moments and how what feels like a setback may actually be the beginning of your most impactful ministry. Together, they explore: Why God allows closed doors and detours How to worship when everything feels...2025-04-2941 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 26: Conflict & Calling – When the Mission Gets MessyEpisode 26: Conflict & Calling – When the Mission Gets Messy In this powerful episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon unpack Acts 15–16, where conflict and calling collide in the early church. Paul and Barnabas—two spiritual giants—go their separate ways, but instead of derailing the mission, God uses the moment to multiply it. This conversation explores how disagreements, closed doors, and personal limitations can actually move God’s purposes forward when we stay surrendered and available. Together, Matt and Brandon dive into: Why conflict doesn't have to mean disqualification How to hold bo...2025-04-1434 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 25: Jesus Plus Nothing – Embracing the Radical Simplicity of GraceEpisode 25: Jesus Plus Nothing – Embracing the Radical Simplicity of Grace In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive into Acts 15 and unpack one of the most pivotal moments in church history—the decision to stand firm on the truth that we are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ. They explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways believers still fall into the trap of adding to the gospel, creating unnecessary barriers that Jesus never intended. Together, they discuss: The tension between grace and legalism in church culture How...2025-04-0937 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 24: Discipleship in Every Season – Growing in Grace and TruthDiscipleship in Every Season – Growing in Grace and Truth In this episode of Growing in Grace, we dive deeper into what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus. Discipleship isn’t just about learning—it’s about transformation. We’ll explore how God’s grace equips us to grow in faith, follow Jesus more closely, and disciple others in every season of life. Join us as we discuss: How discipleship goes beyond Sunday and into daily life. The importance of community, accountability, and spiritual disciplines. Practical ways to invest in...2025-03-3139 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 23: The Power of Gathering – Why the Church MattersEpisode 23: The Power of Gathering – Why the Church Matters In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive into the importance of gathering as a church, reflecting on Acts 2:36-47 and the foundational role of biblical community. They discuss why the Christian life was never meant to be lived in isolation, using the analogy of a coal removed from fire growing cold to illustrate how faith can weaken apart from the church. Key topics include: Who is the church? Understanding our identity as the body...2025-03-2444 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 22: Reaching Muslims with the Love of Christ – A Conversation with Samya from Call of Love MinistriesEpisode 22: Reaching Muslims with the Love of Christ – A Conversation with Samya from Call of Love Ministries In this special episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon sit down with Samya, co-founder of Call of Love Ministries, to discuss the powerful work of reaching Muslims with the gospel. Samya shares her incredible testimony of growing up in war-torn Lebanon, overcoming deep-seated fear and hatred, and discovering God's calling to love and serve the Muslim world. The conversation dives into: The origins and mission of Call of Love Ministries, which delivers God's message of...2025-03-1747 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 21: The Great Commission – Why Every Church Must Be All InEpisode 21: The Great Commission – Why Every Church Must Be All In In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon are joined by special guest Kevin McGhee, a missionary with Converge, to discuss why missions and the Great Commission are essential for every church. Kevin shares powerful insights on the global need for the gospel, his work with the Deaf Catalyst Team, and how churches can develop a strong missions vision. The conversation explores four key reasons why Christians should be fully committed to the Great Commission: Jesus is coming back with re...2025-03-1038 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 20: The Heart of Giving – Stewardship, Generosity, and Trusting GodEpisode 20: The Heart of Giving – Stewardship, Generosity, and Trusting God In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon wrap up the Commands of Christ series by diving into one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of faith: giving. Building on the latest sermon at Gracehills Church, they explore biblical principles of stewardship, generosity, and financial obedience. Pastor Brandon unpacks the difference between ownership and stewardship, explaining that everything we have belongs to God and is entrusted to us for His glory. They also discuss Jesus’ teachings on money, the dangers of mate...2025-03-0442 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 19: The Lord’s Supper – Remembering, Anticipating, and Living in ChristEpisode 19: The Lord’s Supper – Remembering, Anticipating, and Living in Christ In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive deeper into the significance of the Lord’s Supper, building on the latest sermon at Gracehills Church. They explore how communion connects us to the past, present, and future—remembering Christ’s sacrifice, anticipating His return, and embracing His ongoing work in our lives today. The conversation unpacks the historical context of the Passover and how Jesus transformed it into a new covenant, making Himself the ultimate Passover Lamb. Pastor Brandon also discusses...2025-02-2539 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 18: Persevering Through Trials – Worship Over WorryEpisode 18: Persevering Through Trials – Worship Over Worry In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon explore what it means to persevere through trials with worship, drawing from James 1. They discuss how followers of Christ should expect hardships, but rather than responding with worry, we are called to endure with joy, understanding that trials strengthen our faith and make us more like Christ. Pastor Brandon shares personal experiences of navigating unexpected struggles, unpacking how worship shifts our focus from our problems to God’s sovereignty. They also dive into Jesus’ response to temptation, the po...2025-02-1034 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 17: Love Without Limits – The Call to Radical CompassionEpisode 17: Love Without Limits – The Call to Radical Compassion In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon explore Jesus’ command to love, diving deeper into the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. They discuss how true, Christ-like love transcends cultural, social, and personal barriers, challenging us to love without conditions. Using real-life examples, including the incredible story of Daryl Davis—a man who befriended members of the Ku Klux Klan—Pastor Brandon unpacks what it means to love those who are different from us, even when it’s difficult. They also discu...2025-02-0345 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 16: Go and Make Disciples – Answering the CallEpisode 16: Go and Make Disciples – Answering the Call In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive into Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples, building on the recent sermon that highlighted John 4 and the Samaritan woman’s transformative encounter with Christ. They discuss the challenges of discipleship and evangelism, exploring how to overcome fear, cultural barriers, and feelings of inadequacy when sharing the gospel. The conversation includes practical tips for recognizing divine appointments, embracing intentional relationships, and breaking down modern cultural barriers to connect with others. Pastor Brandon shares inspiring insights on leadin...2025-01-2732 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 15: Teach Us to Pray – Aligning Our Hearts with GodEpisode 15: Teach Us to Pray – Aligning Our Hearts with God In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon explore the foundational command of Christ to pray, diving deeper into the insights from Gracehills Church’s latest sermon. Drawing from Matthew 6, they discuss the importance of approaching prayer with humility and sincerity, emphasizing that God cares more about the attitude of our hearts than the words we use. The conversation includes practical ways to establish a consistent prayer life, address common misconceptions about prayer, and embrace it as an act of worship and joyf...2025-01-2036 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 14: Be Baptized – Publicly Identifying with ChristEpisode 14: Be Baptized – Publicly Identifying with Christ In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt sits down with special guest Mark Lydecker to discuss the second command of Christ explored in Gracehills Church’s current series: Be Baptized. Drawing from the previous Sunday’s sermon, they dive into the profound symbolism of baptism as a public declaration of faith and identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Mark shares personal stories, biblical insights, and the transformative power of obedience in taking this step of faith. They also discuss the connection between baptism and spiritual growth, the jo...2025-01-1327 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 13: Repent and Believe – The Foundations of Faith Episode 13: Repent and Believe – The Foundations of Faith In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon kick off a new sermon series on the Commands of Christ with an in-depth look at repentance and belief. Reflecting on Luke 7:36-50, they explore the powerful contrast between the responses of a Pharisee and a sinful woman, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our need for forgiveness and turning to Jesus in faith. The conversation dives into the transformative nature of repentance, breaking free from the past, and living a life that reflects true belief. Pastor Bra...2025-01-0646 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 12: Compassion in Action – Seeing People Through Jesus’ EyesEpisode 12: Compassion in Action – Seeing People Through Jesus’ Eyes In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive deeper into Gracehills Church’s latest sermon, which explored the compassion of Jesus as seen in Matthew 9:35-38. They reflect on how Jesus’ compassion wasn’t just a feeling but an active response to both physical and spiritual needs. The discussion highlights practical ways we can cultivate Christ-like compassion, overcome fear in sharing the gospel, and see people in our communities as Jesus does. Pastor Brandon shares insights on living intentionally on mission, balancing the meetin...2024-12-3044 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 11: Finding Undeniable Hope in ChristEpisode 11: Finding Undeniable Hope in Christ In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon explore the theme of undeniable hope, diving deeper into the latest message from Gracehills Church’s God With Us series. Rooted in 1 Peter 1:13-21, they discuss how true hope is found only in Christ and how it transforms our lives, even amidst challenges. The conversation covers the dangers of misplaced hope, the discipline of maintaining a hope-filled mindset, and the power of the resurrection as the foundation of our faith. Pastor Brandon shares practical advice on identifying and re...2024-12-2327 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 10: Finding True Rest in ChristEpisode 10: Finding True Rest in Christ In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon unpack part three of Gracehills Church’s Christmas series, God With Us, exploring the theme of rest in Christ. Drawing from Matthew 11:28-30, they dive into Jesus’ invitation to come to Him for true rest, contrasting it with the relentless demands of religion and culture. Pastor Brandon shares practical insights on surrendering control, finding freedom in obedience, and embracing the easy yoke that Jesus offers. The conversation touches on the reasons for our cultural restlessness, how to balance seas...2024-12-1638 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 9: God With Us – Strength in the ValleysEpisode 9: God With Us – Strength in the Valleys In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon take a deeper dive into part two of Gracehills Church’s Christmas series, God With Us. Drawing from Matthew 1:23 and Psalm 84, they explore the profound truth that God’s presence is with us, even in life’s valleys. Pastor Brandon shares practical insights on finding strength in our weakness, embracing humility to face reality, and trusting in the who when we don’t understand the why. With personal stories and biblical wisdom, this episode encourages listeners to reframe...2024-12-0938 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchEpisode 8: The Secret to Contentment – A Conversation with Mark LydeckerEpisode 8: The Secret to Contentment – A Conversation with Mark Lydecker In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt sits down with guest speaker Mark Lydecker, former executive pastor and father-in-law of Pastor Brandon Shaffer, to unpack the first message in the new Christmas series, God With Us. Drawing from his decades in ministry and personal experiences, Mark reflects on the theme of contentment, offering insights into living a life of gratitude and trust in God's provision. They explore biblical examples like Mary’s surrender to God’s will and Paul’s unwavering faith amidst trials, along wi...2024-12-0226 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchThe Story CircleEpisode 7: Finding Your Story in God's Story with Joshua Lennon In this special episode of Growing in Grace, Matt welcomes guest speaker and author Joshua Lennon, teaching pastor at Red Door Church and author of The Story Circle. Together, they explore the incredible narrative of the Bible as one unified story—from creation to new creation—and how it connects deeply to our personal journeys. Josh shares insights from his book, discussing the six-part framework of the biblical metanarrative and how understanding this story can help us find our place in God's mission. They also dive...2024-11-2530 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchMetanarrative: (Restoration)Episode 6: Restored for Eternity – A Hope Beyond Heaven In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon wrap up the series exploring the metanarrative of the Bible with a discussion on restoration, inspired by Revelation 21. Together, they unpack the ultimate renewal promised by God—a future where all creation is restored, and God dwells with His people. The conversation dives into the bigger picture of faith: it's not just about getting to heaven but embracing our role in God's ongoing story. Pastor Brandon challenges listeners to live with purpose and hope, focusing on the...2024-11-1843 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchMetanarrative: (Redemption)Episode 5: Clothed in Redemption – A New Status in Christ In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive into the powerful theme of redemption as part of Gracehills Church's ongoing series on the Bible's grand narrative. Pastor Brandon unpacks the transformative meaning of being redeemed, explaining how Jesus's sacrifice not only clears our insurmountable debt of sin but also redefines our status as heirs and beloved children of God. They explore what it means to be "clothed with Christ" in our daily lives, and discuss how our identity in Him should shape how we in...2024-11-1148 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchMetanarrative: (Struggle)In Episode 4 of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt take a deep dive into the theme of "struggle" in the biblical narrative. They explore how struggle is woven into the journey of faith, from the fall of humanity to God’s redemptive promise. Through stories of biblical figures like Noah, Abraham, and Joseph, they discuss how God uses our struggles to shape us and fulfill His purposes. Tune in as they share personal stories, practical insights, and spiritual truths to find hope and meaning in the midst of life's challenges. Whether you're facing hardships or seeking a deeper un...2024-11-0436 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchMetanarrative: (Fall)In this episode of the Growing in Grace podcast, Pastor Brandon and Matt dive into the story of humanity's fall from Genesis 3, focusing on Adam and Eve’s disobedience, the nature of temptation, and sin's pervasive impact on relationships. Pastor Brandon explores how temptation often shifts our focus from God's provisions to what we lack, ultimately leading us to self-centered actions. He emphasizes the need for thankfulness as a counter to temptation and encourages transparency and vulnerability in relationships to break the cycle of sin’s effects. The episode also covers how, despite the brokenness introduced by sin, G...2024-10-2840 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchMetanarrative- (Creation)Episode 2 - The Metanarrative: Creation Welcome back to Growing in Grace, a podcast of First Baptist Church of Greenhills, soon to be Gracehills Church. In this second episode, Pastor Brandon and Matt take a deep dive into the start of a new sermon series exploring the metanarrative of the Bible—the overarching story that ties all scripture together. This week’s focus: Creation. Pastor Brandon explains the concept of the metanarrative, discussing how the entire Bible, though made up of individual books, tells one unified story of God’s creation, redemption, and restoration. The discussion zooms...2024-10-2123 min"Growing In Grace" - a Podcast of Gracehills ChurchJames & Kevin in the Middle EastMatt & Pastor Brandon interview James & Kevin who are currently serving in the Middle East. They were able to give an Evangelism Training Seminar for us on 10.13.242024-10-1438 min