In a world that often feels noisy, chaotic, and overwhelming, is lasting happiness even possible? In this week’s teaching, we turn to the timeless truth of Psalm 1 to uncover a surprising path to enduring joy. Learn how the voices you listen to shape your inner world—and how choosing to delight in God's Word can transform your life from the inside out. Whether you’re in a season of struggle or seeking deeper fulfillment, this message reveals the secret to transcendent joy found only in Jesus. Don’t miss this encouraging and hope-filled episode as we explore God’s invitation to a life marked by true happiness.

-----------------------------

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

With his deep insight and engaging storytelling, Pastor Noah unpacks the question, "Does the Bible condone slavery?" shifting the focus from a simple yes or no response to exploring the larger, more significant questions surrounding the nature of God and the inherent dignity of all human beings.

Throughout the sermon, Noah challenges common perceptions and interpretations of biblical references to slavery, urging us to consider the historical and cultural contexts of these passages. He eloquently argues that the Bible does not support the oppressive and dehumanizing practices associated with slavery as we know it today. Instead, he sheds light on the protective laws and the powerful message of redemption and liberation that course through the scriptures.

Drawing on a wealth of biblical examples and personal anecdotes, Noah illustrates how the Bible consistently upholds the value and dignity of every individual, commanding us to emulate God's love and justice in our actions and relationships. This episode isn’t just a theological exploration—it's a call to reflect on our own views and to embody the redemptive, life-giving principles that God instills.

Whether you're wrestling with doubts or seeking deeper understanding, this podcast will provide valuable insights and encourage a fresh perspective on a topic that has long been a source of contention and confusion.

**Chapters and Timestamps:**
- **00:00:00** - Introduction
- **00:00:43** - King's Cross Reflections
- **00:02:59** - Does the Bible Promote Slavery?
- **00:04:42** - The Hard Questions About Slavery
- **00:11:44** - On the Problem of Slavery
- **00:18:34** - Foster Care: A Look at Society's Standards
- **00:23:41** - On Dignity
- **00:30:34** - God's Right to Save the Weak
- **00:32:42** - Paul the Apostle on Slavery
- **00:39:34** - God as a Redeeming God
- **00:43:56** - Conclusion

Join us as we delve into this critical discussion that intersects faith, history, and social justice, illuminating the path toward a deeper and more compassionate understanding of scripture.

Is Christianity Homophobic? In this authentic and compassionate sermon, Pastor Austin Glenn tackles one of the most pressing cultural questions of our time: What does the Bible really say about homosexuality, and how should the church respond? Tracing the biblical narrative from Jesus to Genesis to Romans, Pastor Austin explores God’s design for sex, the purpose of marriage, and how we all—regardless of sexual orientation—fall short of God’s standards. But the message doesn’t stop there. This is a call for grace, clarity, and compassion, pointing us to the hope we have in Jesus and the radical belonging found in the church.

Matthew 19:1-12

Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 19:1–12.

Is Christianity really at odds with gender equality? In this week's teaching, we explore what the Bible actually says about the value and role of women—starting in Genesis and tracing a powerful thread through to Jesus. Discover how Scripture challenged cultural norms and offered a vision of equality and partnership that was revolutionary for its time. Join us as we unpack the Bible’s message and how it can transform our understanding of gender dynamics today.

-----------------------------

Genesis 1:27-28

27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Can Science and Faith Coexist?
In a culture that often pits science against Scripture, is it possible to believe in both? This week’s message in our Deconstructing Together series dives into the question: Does science disprove the Bible? Join us as we challenge the false dichotomy and uncover how scientific discovery and biblical truth can actually complement one another. Explore how faith and reason, far from being at odds, can work together to reveal the wonder of God’s creation and deepen our spiritual understanding.

-----------------------------------

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

In a world filled with diverse beliefs and spiritual paths, it’s tempting to think all roads lead to the same God. But what if that’s not the case? Join us as we explore the heart of this question, revealing why Christianity stands apart from other faiths. Discover how the unique message of grace, love, and redemption in Christianity offers a path unlike any other—and why it matters for your life and eternity. This teaching invites you to rethink what it means to truly know God, and why the message of Jesus Christ is more than just one option among many.

----------------------------------

Ephesians 2:1-9

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Searching for a story that speaks to your deepest longings? In a world where shifting values leave many questioning life’s purpose, the Easter story offers more than tradition—it offers transformation. Join us as we explore how God brings hope and renewal to a broken world through the resurrection of Jesus. This isn’t just an event from the past; it’s a powerful truth that speaks to your life today—offering purpose, peace, and lasting joy. The risen Redeemer changes everything.