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What is God's design for the local church, and how can Christians remain faithful in an ever-changing world? On this episode of Talks on the Road, we welcome Dr. Alex DiPrima, pastor at Emmanuel Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, church historian, and author of Spurgeon: A Life, a biography of Charles Spurgeon. He is also the co-author of the upcoming book I Will Build My Church, written alongside Nate Akin, which explores Christ's design for the local church and its mission. Drawing from church history and Scripture, Dr. DiPrima helps us consider what it means to live faithfully as Christians today, what we can learn from believers who have gone before us, and how God calls His church to persevere. As we continue studying the book of Revelation, this conversation offers a timely reminder of Christ's purpose for His church and the hope we have as we look toward the future.

Bringing a newborn home is a season filled with joy, change, and unexpected challenges. In this episode of Talks on the Road, we explore the newborn phase and what it looks like to navigate early parenthood with a biblical perspective. From adjusting to new responsibilities to caring for your marriage and trusting the Lord through the uncertainties, we consider how this season can shape our faith and dependence on Christ. Whether you're preparing to welcome a baby, currently navigating the newborn stage, or encouraging a young family, join us for a conversation about faithfully walking through this new chapter of life.

How do we faithfully follow Jesus for the long haul? In this episode, we sit down with pastor and author Matt Smethurst to discuss Tim Keller on the Christian Life and how rich theological truths shape everyday faith. Together, we explore pastoral ministry, the importance of the local church, and Revelation's call to remain faithful to the end, connecting what we believe with how we live.

In part two of our conversation on marriage, we explore how humility, forgiveness, and Christian community help couples navigate challenges and grow together. Through personal stories and a reflection on Psalm 39, we discuss examining our own hearts, seeking godly counsel, and turning to the Lord when frustrations arise. From shifting family priorities to difficult seasons, this episode offers encouragement to pursue repentance, love your spouse, and place your hope in Christ.

What if understanding the end of the Bible begins with going back to the beginning? In this episode of Talks on the Road, Dr. Oren Martin joins us to explore how God's promise of a home for His people unfolds from Eden to the Promised Land and ultimately to the new heavens and new earth. Drawing from his book Bound for the Promised Land, we discuss how these promises find their fulfillment in Christ and help us understand Revelation. It's an encouraging conversation about our eternal home and how that future hope strengthens us to face suffering and live faithfully today.

What makes a Christian marriage distinct, especially in its first five years? The hosts argue that helpful habits begin with a clear purpose: marriage is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church. Drawing on Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5, they describe marriage as a covenant in which two people grow in unity and help one another follow Christ. They turn that purpose into practical advice: make time to pray together, welcome honest feedback, and talk about difficult subjects before silence creates distance. They encourage couples to work through conflict, forgive without saving past wrongs as leverage, and assume the best of each other. They also urge spouses to support one another's spiritual growth and friendships within the church. The episode closes with a question for couples to carry into everyday decisions: Am I helping my spouse love Christ more, or asking my spouse to make me the center?

Pastor Matt sits down with historian Dr. Daniel Hummel to discuss his book, The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism. Together, they trace the movement's development from John Nelson Darby through the Scofield Reference Bible, Dallas Theological Seminary, Hal Lindsey, and the Left Behind series. They explore how dispensationalism shaped American evangelical views of Israel, the rapture, and Revelation—and why its influence has declined within seminaries while remaining powerful in popular Christian culture. The conversation encourages churches to approach differing views of the end times with biblical faithfulness, historical awareness, and charity toward fellow believers.

Engagement is about more than preparing for a wedding. It is a season for preparing for a Christ-centered marriage. In this episode, the hosts discuss premarital counseling, spiritual and physical boundaries, finances, children, changing family relationships, and the honest conversations couples should have before making a covenant. They also offer practical encouragement for parents and church members as they help engaged couples build a marriage that reflects Christ and His Church.

In this episode, Pastor Matt sits down with New Testament scholar Dr. Thomas Schreiner to discuss how Christians can faithfully read and understand the book of Revelation. Dr. Schreiner explains how Revelation's apocalyptic imagery, symbolism, and Old Testament allusions reveal its central message: God will triumph over evil and His people will dwell with Him forever. Together, they explore the book's original audience, its recurring visions, the 144,000, suffering and persecution, and the danger of interpreting Revelation primarily through current events. Ultimately, Revelation is not meant merely to satisfy our curiosity about the future, but to strengthen the church to resist compromise, persevere through suffering, and remain faithful to Christ. To truly hear Revelation is to trust and obey its message, finding lasting joy in the promise that Christ will sustain His people to the end.

What does it look like to approach dating with Christ at the center? In this episode of Talks on the Road, we explore how Scripture shapes our understanding of dating, relationships, and the pursuit of marriage. Whether you're single, dating, or helping someone navigate this season, join us as we consider how to honor Christ and pursue relationships with wisdom, intentionality, and the support of the local church.

What does the Bible teach about singleness, and how should the church care for and encourage those who are single? In this episode of Talks on the Road, we explore the dignity, purpose, and unique opportunities of singleness. Listen as we consider how both marriage and singleness can be faithfully lived for the glory of Christ within the family of God.

Season 7 of Talks on the Road is here! In our first episode, Pastor Matt sits down with author and pastor Jared C. Wilson to talk about the church, the church-growth movement, and the importance of keeping Christ at the center of the church's ministry. Together, they discuss the seeker-sensitive movement, lessons the church can learn from it, and why faithful, Christ-centered preaching matters. Rather than simply offering practical advice or principles for a better life, biblical preaching should continually point people to the person and work of Jesus Christ and the good news of the gospel. How can churches reach people, make disciples, and faithfully preach Christ in every season? Join us as we kick off Season 7 with a conversation about the church, the gospel, and why Jesus must remain at the center of it all.

In our final Summer Rewind episode of the season, Pastor Matt, Candace, and Pastor Joe explore how our choices fit within God's sovereign will and how human decisions intersect with His purposes.

We are back with one of your favorite episodes! Now Don't turn off the podcast—this one's for you. Even if you don't consider yourself an angry person, anger is sneaky. What tends to trigger it in us? At its core, anger is a response to something we perceive as wrong. Join Matt, Candace, and Joe as they unpack the topic of sinful and righteous anger together.

Today we look back on our descussion with Dr. Matthew Emerson, professor at Oklahoma Baptist University and author of He Descended to the Dead. In this week's REWIND series, we explore the significance of Holy Saturday—what happened on that day and why it matters. Join us as we walk through this often-overlooked moment in the story of redemption and address common misconceptions many believers hold.