Shows
Main Thing PodcastAre You Prepared for Christ's Return?The parable of the Ten Virgins serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of genuine spiritual readiness for Christ's return, distinguishing between those who are merely religious and those who are truly transformed.• True salvation produces evident fruit in a believer's life• Many churchgoers may embrace religion without true transformation• Many love the concept of Christianity without embracing its cost• Authentic faith requires total commitment rather than partial religious observanceCovenant Church2025-07-2423 minMain Thing PodcastGrace That Shatters Our Merit SystemIn Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a parable about vineyard workers who receive equal pay despite working different hours, revealing how God's grace transcends our human understanding of fairness.• God's grace often offends our human sense of fairness, especially in reward-oriented cultures• Our fallen human nature struggles to comprehend heavenly grace that treats all believers equally• Churches should celebrate new believers with genuine excitement regardless of their background• Salvation is purely God's gift of grace, not based on works, church membership, or human traditionsCovenant Church Houma2025-07-1026 minMain Thing PodcastHow Do You Lead Others to Love God & People?Discipleship requires complete surrender to Christ as both Savior and Lord, transforming belief into obedience and reproducing what God has placed inside us.• Discipleship at its core means obedience and duplication of Christ's teachings• Evangelism and discipleship function as two sides of the same coin• Churches should balance winning the lost with developing believers• Anything not growing spiritually is dying• True salvation inherently includes lordshipCovenant Church 2025-06-2625 minMain Thing PodcastLeading Others in Discipleship"Love God, Love People, and Lead Others to Do the Same." Pastor Steve explains that serving is essential for spiritual growth, and the greatest blessings in Christian life come when we fulfill the servant role God created us for.• God doesn't call people to ministries they hate—He gives a love for what He's called you to do• Jesus modeled servant leadership by making everything about the Kingdom rather than himself• Many churches have lost focus on biblical servitude by trying to look like the world• When families prioritize serving, their decision-making changes to put God fi...2025-06-1226 minMain Thing PodcastLoving PeopleCommunity lies at the heart of Christian faith, providing essential support, encouragement, and accountability needed for spiritual growth and discipleship. • The church was designed from inception to be a community dedicated to supporting and encouraging one another• Jesus established the standard for love when He commanded us to love others as He loved us• People who engage in church community are much more likely to remain committed to their faith journey• Small groups or covenant groups become your spiritual family• Coming to Christ puts us on a growth track where we move from being mini...2025-05-2926 minMain Thing PodcastLoving GodWe explore our church's mission statement—love God, love people, and lead others to do the same—breaking down what it means to truly love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.• True worship means loving God with every aspect of our being• What matters most in worship is not the style but the heart • People are always our business—changing lives and eternal destinies• Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also• Your entire life should be offered as worship to GodCovenant Church 2025-05-1530 minMain Thing PodcastFaith in Life's Darkest MomentsThrough the story of Jeremiah being thrown into a muddy cistern for speaking God's truth, we discover profound lessons about standing firm in faith despite rejection and suffering.• Jeremiah was punished merely for speaking God's truth to Israel about their coming captivity• Standing for truth often leads to rejection, but these moments reveal what we truly believe• Christians in other parts of the world face severe persecution while many American Christians mistake minor inconveniences for persecution• Depression following loss can be overcome through God's intervention and deliverance• We each choose to become either "empowered...2025-05-0129 minMain Thing PodcastFaith in Captivity: Finding Hope (Jer. 29:10-24)God's discipline is always aimed at restoration, not punishment, as seen through Jeremiah's prophecy to Israel before their Babylonian captivity. The Lord's promise of a new covenant—one written on hearts rather than stone—points to Jesus and offers hope even in our darkest moments.• Christians should expect to look "strange" to the world as we are aliens passing through• Believers find strength through connectedness to the body of Christ during trials• Praying for enemies is powerful and demonstrates the gospel's transformative work in us• God answers prayers according to His will and timing, not always a...2025-04-1723 minMain Thing PodcastFrom Temple Worship to Modern Idolatry (Jer. 2:11-13; 7:1-15)Pastor Steve examines Jeremiah's powerful metaphor about abandoned fountains and broken cisterns, revealing how this warning perfectly mirrors our modern spiritual crisis.• Ancient Judah's double sin: abandoning God (the living water) while creating their own spiritual solutions (broken cisterns)• The danger of making the church building or religious activities a substitute for genuine relationship with God• Modern idols we purchase and prioritize instead of God: cars, boats, possessions, comfort• How our desire for control leads us to create substitutes for God's lordship in our lives• The risk of placing political leaders in "messianic" positions...2025-04-0316 minMain Thing PodcastThe Weeping Prophet: Jeremiah's Heart for a Broken World (Jer. 8:18-9:1)We dig into the book of Jeremiah and discover striking parallels between ancient Judah's cultural decline and our modern world, exploring how God's truth speaks to divisive times.• Understanding the historical context of Jeremiah as the "weeping prophet"• Exploring the tension between God's righteousness and His grace in a world that rejects His truth• Confronting how cultural pressure and comfort numb our hearts to sin and spiritual urgency• Examining why crisis often brings spiritual awakening while revealing superficial faith• Learning to balance truth-telling with genuine love when sharing faith in a hostile culture• Reco...2025-03-2022 minMain Thing PodcastCalled Before Birth: Jeremiah’s Divine Appointment (Jer. 1:4-10)Explore the theme of divine calling and how it intersects with fear and faith. Discover insights rooted in biblical examples, specifically focusing on Jeremiah’s life and how it relates to us. Gain encouragement in learning how to fulfill your purpose in alignment with God’s will. • Discussing God’s calling and sovereignty • Analyzing Jeremiah’s biblical testimony • Fear and insecurity in ministry and purpose • The relationship between general and specific callings • Emphasizing the importance of obedience and faith • Overcoming challenges in understanding one’s purpose Covenant Church2025-03-0622 minMain Thing PodcastPastor Steve's Story of Redemption and PurposePastor Steve shares his transformative journey from a non-Christian upbringing to faith and ministry, filled with challenges and growth. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership and nurturing future generations in their faith. • Personal testimony of accepting Christ at age 15 • The impact of early mentors and opportunities in ministry • Challenges faced in various pastoral roles and churches • The importance of authenticity and trust in leadership • Legacy and hopes for future generations in faithCovenant Church2025-02-2034 minMain Thing PodcastNavigating Parenthood with Faith and PurposeIs it possible to nurture a strong spiritual foundation amidst the chaos of modern life? We explore this compelling question, offering insights from Genesis 35:1 to inspire families on their journey back to their faith roots. Pastor Steve offers guidance on establishing a meaningful family spiritual practice, highlighting the irreplaceable role parents play in shaping their children's beliefs through example and commitment.We emphasize the importance of fathers embracing their roles and advocate for policy shifts that support cohesive family structures. Through candid conversation, Pastor Steve offers not just inspiration, but practical strategies for families striving to prioritize...2025-02-0623 minMain Thing PodcastFaith and Parenting in a Shifting SocietyThis episode tackles the alarming state of family life in today's culture, highlighting the pressures from youth athletics, public education, and societal overreach that threaten familial bonds. Our conversation emphasizes the need for parents to actively engage in nurturing spiritual values amidst these challenges to foster resilience and faith in their children. • Discussing the cultural pressures on family life • Analyzing the impact of youth sports on family values • Exploring the rise in mental health issues among Gen Z • Unpacking how public education can undermine parental authority • Highlighting the importance of grounding families i...2025-01-2351 minMain Thing PodcastRoots and Renewal: Exploring Deconstruction & ElectionIn this episode, we tackle some of the most pressing and often misunderstood topics in Christian theology and practice. Can Christians deconstruct their faith in a healthy way while remaining anchored in biblical truth? We explore what faith deconstruction is, when it becomes destructive, and how churches can provide support. We also dive into the age-old debate of free will vs. election—what the Bible says, how key passages inform our understanding, and how believers with differing views can still worship together in unity. Finally, we discuss cessationism and the operation of spiritual gifts in to...2025-01-0927 minMain Thing PodcastCatholicism vs. Protestantism: Core Beliefs and Why They MatterIn this episode of The Main Thing Podcast, Pastor Steve Folmar explores the core differences between Catholicism and Protestantism, tackling questions like, "Is infant baptism biblical?" and "How does salvation differ between works and grace?" With historical insights and scriptural clarity, this episode dives into tradition, doctrine, and why understanding these distinctions matters for your faith journey.Covenant Church Houma 2024-12-2635 minMain Thing PodcastFaith and Nation: Christian Fasting, Jewish Feasts, and the Role of Nationalism in the ChurchIn this episode, Pastors Steve and Brent tackle Christian nationalism and other questions from Covenant Church. This podcast will encourage you to stay the course and remember what is important as believers worship Jesus today.Covenant Church2024-12-1220 minMain Thing PodcastBuilding Bridges: Friendship, Vulnerability, and Women in Church LeadershipIn this episode, Pastor Steve and Chet discuss the important theological matters surrounding women in church leadership. This is a meaningful discussion; however, this is a third-tier issue, meaning it should not break fellowship among fellow believers. We should focus on one thing, which is the gospel being spread across this globe. 2024-11-2832 minMain Thing PodcastFaith and Justice: Navigating Immigration, Diversity, and Racial Issues in the ChurchIn this episode, Pastor Steve and Brent tackle the tough questions in today's society. It is more important than ever for believers to understand the scripture and heart of God regarding these issues. We need to be prepared as we share Christ in this broken world. 2024-11-1424 minMain Thing PodcastEnd Times, Identity, and Love - A Biblical Guide to Facing Life's Hard QuestionsIn this episode we dive right into what Scripture says about living in sexual sin, how to have victory over same sex attraction, and what does it look like for a church to reach an increasingly secular culture. 2024-10-3127 minMain Thing PodcastThe Role of the Church in Today's WorldIn this episode, Pastor Steve breaks down what the church is and how she should operate biblically. How the church operates directly impacts the people who make up the church. We, as believers, must understand what the Scripture says about the church to be effective for the Kingdom. Covenant Church: https://www.covenantchurchhouma.com/ 2024-10-1716 minMain Thing PodcastPolitics in a Polluted Culture; A Christian's ResponseThis episode will encourage you to know that God governs the government and is in control. Pastor Steve says that according to Scripture there are certain things we should do in regard to politics and that no matter what we can find peace and hope in God's timing and provision for our lives and world today. What solice we can find in that truth!https://www.heritage.org/staff/david-r-burtonCovenant Church Website: https://www.covenantchurchhouma.com/2024-10-0331 minMain Thing PodcastTrailerHere is a sneak peak about what is coming October 3rd 2024!2024-09-2501 min