Advertise on podcast: Chestnut Mountain Church

In Mark 1, John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus, boldly preaching repentance. John knew he wasn't even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals. But how do we view Jesus? Do we see Him for who He truly is, mighty, powerful, exalted, and worthy of all glory? At His baptism, Jesus identifies Himself with the very people He came to save. The heavens are torn open, the Spirit descends, and the Father declares, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Standing in the Jordan is the promised King, the suffering servant, and the beloved Son of God. The King has come to rescue the rebels. Jesus isn't someone we simply add to our lives. He is King of Kings, the Savior of the world, and He is worth everything. The invitation isn't to become more religious or admire Jesus from a distance, but to behold Him for who He is, repent, believe, and surrender our lives to Him. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/e3N_8N4G_LE Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/m_klVSZ8A2o Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

There are people everywhere searching for hope, truth, and answers. With so much information available, it's possible to find a version of Jesus that aligns with our lifestyles rather than the true Jesus revealed in Scripture. Throughout the Gospel of Mark, we'll return to one important question: Who do you say Jesus is? Mark focuses on what Jesus did, showing us how to model our lives after Him as His disciples. In Mark 1, we see the beginning of the Good News, the victory and eternal rescue coming through Jesus Christ, the promised Savior. John the Baptist prepares the way for the coming King, calling people to repentance. The message of Jesus is not only to believe but to repent. The Good News is to repent and believe. Jesus doesn't just want to be our Savior; He wants to be our Lord. When we understand what He saves us from, we should have no problem submitting to Him as Lord. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/Ve-Ej15w6yg Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/m_klVSZ8A2o Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

God has always used imperfect people to accomplish His perfect plan. In Matthew 28, some of the disciples worshiped while others doubted, yet Jesus gave them all the same instruction and assignment. Despite their struggles, God still saw fit to call them and use them. The same is true for us. We don't have to be perfect for God to use us. Jesus finishes the Great Commission with a promise that should liberate every follower of Christ to walk in obedience: He is with us always. He doesn't promise occasional assistance; He promises an enduring presence. There will never be a day that He isn't with us. Even on the days when it feels like we've let go of God, we can be assured that the Father hasn't let go of us. This promise doesn't mean we won't face struggles or that obedience will be easy. It means we won't face it alone. God wants to do a work in and through us, not based on our skill set but on His presence. He will never call us to do something or go somewhere that He won't go before us and go with us. Hold on to His promise. He is always with us. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/OJXs9KVnRC0 Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/m_klVSZ8A2o Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

God didn't save us to sit. He saved us and sent us on a mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28, Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. The authority of Christ is the reason we must go and the confidence with which we go. The same One who saves us is the same One who reigns over us. The Great Commission isn't just about doing; it's about being. Following Jesus calls us to unconditional surrender and complete obedience. Wherever He calls us to go, we must go. Whatever He calls us to do, we must do. We have been sent in His authority. Obedience is not up for question; it is the call of the Christian to follow King Jesus and go tell people to follow Him. Are we going to surrender unconditionally and walk faithfully in obedience to the One who has all authority? Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/5hIdkTdSvcM Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/m_klVSZ8A2o Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

We all long for purpose. We want to know that who we are and what we do matters. Jesus didn't save us to just sit. He saved us and placed us on mission. In Matthew 28, Jesus gives His followers a clear mission: make disciples. But what does it mean to be a disciple and to make disciples? Looking at the life and ministry of Jesus, we see that He didn't just call His disciples to believe in Him but to follow Him. Jesus isn't just interested in our conversion; He's interested in our transformation. Discipleship is being formed to be sent. The Great Commission isn't just about sharing the Good News. It's about walking with people, teaching them, and showing them how to follow Jesus. Every follower of Jesus has been called to make disciples. God is sending you into your home, school, workplace, and community. Stop waiting on someone else. Who is God calling you to, and what are you going to do about it? Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/5hIdkTdSvcM Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

Life is hard, and there are circumstances that can leave us shattered and broken. Sometimes God answers our prayers exactly the way we think He should, and it’s easy to celebrate His faithfulness. But it doesn’t always turn out that way. When it doesn’t, our faith is tested and it can feel like our faith is shattered. In Ezekiel 37, Ezekiel is sitting in a valley of dry bones surrounded by what is lifeless and hopeless. God asks Ezekiel if he believes God can restore the mess and fix what has been broken. Ezekiel’s response shows a posture fully dependent on God’s plan, trusting God with the outcome whether the dry bones come back to life or not. Do you trust God with the outcome? Trusting God’s plan doesn’t mean we have to like it. But when we surrender our plan to His plan, it ignites a work of God. Give what is scarred, shattered, and broken into the right hands. God wants to rebuild our faith, take what is shattered, and put it back together. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/am9uAnXO0NA Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

The enemy wants to create an identity crisis in our lives. While he wants the believer to question their identity, he wants the unbeliever to embrace an identity apart from God. We were all once rebels, but Jesus wants to rescue us from being a rebel to being redeemed. For those who are in Christ, the enemy wants to keep us stuck in our past and defined by our struggles. But when we can’t out-think the enemy, we out-truth him with the Word of God. You are not your past. You are not your struggle. You are not defined by your scars but by Jesus’ scars. Because of Jesus, you are redeemed, you are new, and you are His. There is only One who has the authority to name you, and it’s the One who purchased you. As Satan tries to name you, don’t forget that the Savior calls you His. Quit looking back and look up. There’s an empty cross and an empty tomb that names you. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/jeO3iB91DXI Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

In our Pieces series, we’re exposing the spiritual war we are in and learning to understand who our enemy is. The devil will never appear the way we think he should. He is cunning, crafty, and deceptive, and he wants to appear harmless and appealing in order to lure us away from the security of God’s presence and God’s people. Satan is still running the same plays today that he ran on Adam and Eve. He tempts us with the lie that what he offers will satisfy, provide peace, or won’t really matter. Then, when we give in, he immediately becomes the accuser, telling us we are guilty, unlovable, unforgivable, worthless, or too far gone. But Satan is defeated. When we can’t out think the enemy, we out-truth him with the truth of God’s Word. No one can snatch us out of the Father’s hand. He has purchased us with a price, and He has not let go of us. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/Qg7Qq2Ig7wg Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

As we begin our new series, Pieces, we are shining light on the spiritual war we are in. For the child of God, arrows will be fired at you with an attempt to shatter your faith and get you to compromise who and what you trust. We are not fighting for victory. We are fighting from it. But what happens when the faith that was once so strong becomes tested, shattered, and broken? Through the story of his family, Pastor Brian shares what it looks like when the same people, with the same faith and the same God, experience two totally different outcomes. When God performs the way we want Him to, it can be easy to celebrate His faithfulness. But when He doesn't, we may find ourselves asking, “God, what do You want to do with my faith when it's shattered? What can You do with my brokenness?” Throughout Scripture, we see what God does with broken pieces. He restores and reassembles what has been broken. He re-members what has been dismembered. God loves to put broken things back together. Whatever you are carrying, bring what is being done in darkness into the light. Be bold in your brokenness and trust the only One who can put the pieces back together. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/Nmp7CJFyvts Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches us what prayer and fasting are meant to look like in the Christian life. Prayer and fasting are not optional disciplines or add-ons. Prayer is not the preparation for the greater work. It is the greater work. Prayer is about communion with God, walking with God, and coming into His presence. What if the greatest reward we could ever receive from prayer is not the answered prayer but God Himself? Jesus gives us a model for prayer that begins with who God is and what His mission is: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done.” Prayer teaches us to depend on God today, to pray as a first response instead of a last resort, and to remember that we are in a spiritual war. The beauty is that our Heavenly Father already knows what we need, yet He still invites us into His presence. Fasting allows us to starve ourselves of something so that we may feast on God. We say no to our flesh so that we may say yes to His presence. Prayer draws us into the presence of God, and fasting clears us up for His presence. The answer is Him. His presence is the better life. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/wpOMH-k65TI Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

As we look at the values that root us in who we are as a church, Surrendered Obedience means letting go of control and letting God take control. When life feels uncertain and the road ahead is confusing, the safest place for us to be is not in control but in a place of surrender. Real faith trusts God enough to obey Him, surrenders enough to let go, and believes God enough to expect Him to provide. In Genesis 22, God asked Abraham to do something that didn’t make sense. Abraham’s “yes” was already on the table. Surrendered obedience always comes before understanding. When God speaks, obey. Our part is to show up, take God at His Word, and follow Him one step at a time. Surrendered obedience isn’t the absence of failures. It’s choosing to trust God beyond our last mistake. What God wanted from Abraham was not his son but his surrender. What is it that God has asked you to do that you haven’t done yet? Take the first step of obedience. Say, “God, here I am. Speak.” Whatever He says to you, do it. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/awkL-0zuHg4 Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

As we look at the values that root us in who we are as a church, Grateful Generosity means being open-handed with what God has given us. Grateful generosity is the action of being generous as a result of being grateful for how generous He has been to us. Being generous is not a have-to but a get-to. It is simply an expression of thankfulness for what God has already done. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul points to the churches in Macedonia as an example of generosity. They didn't have a lot, but they understood the grace and generosity of God. Their circumstances didn't dictate their generosity. Generosity isn't about the amount but the posture of our hearts. We give because we understand what God gave when He gave us His Son, Jesus. God doesn't need our resources to accomplish His will, but He gives us an invitation to be part of the work He wants to accomplish. Give yourself first to the Lord, trust Him, and ask, "God, what does generosity look like for me?" We live with grateful generosity so that more people can know Jesus. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/9Ra5YJHRuLo Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

As we look at the values that root us in who we are as a church, biblical teaching means we will proclaim the truth of God’s Word week in and week out. Everything we do is guided by the truth of who God is and what He has called us to do. If we are going to saturate the world with the Good News by making disciples, we have to know who Jesus is, what He has called us to do, and what He taught us to do. The beauty is that God has not left us in this world without a way to know Him and follow Him. We have the Bible. Like a compass, God’s Word is our guide and direction for how to live this life and know Him. In a world inundated with information and claims that twist the truth, we can trust that the Bible is reliable and trustworthy. The Bible doesn’t answer every question we have, but it answers every question we need to know about who God is. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/d_pldXhVTkY Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

As we look at the values that define who we are as a church, our second value is Intentional Community. From the beginning, God has always had a heart for community. His design is for us to do life together. If God’s plan is to create and establish community, Satan will do everything he can to disrupt and dismantle it. If the enemy can isolate you, he can destroy you. Hebrews 10 reminds us why we need each other and why God puts people in our lives who need us. We need people around us who will help us look up, wake up, get up, and stay up. We need people who will encourage us when we begin to pull away, care enough to call out sin, help carry our burdens when we fall, and lock arms with us as we keep marching forward. God wants you to do life with people. If you have found yourself pulling away or living in loneliness and isolation, don’t listen to the voice of the enemy. Be bold enough and humble enough to say, “God, I need community.” We all need people to do life with because it’s the way God created us. We have to be intentional about community. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/BTRKrs3oEus Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_

As we begin our new series, ROOTS, we take a closer look at the values that define who we are as a church. We begin with one of our core values, Persistent Prayer. Prayer is the life source of who we are and everything we do. It is the source of peace, comfort, wisdom, direction, and power. Prayer isn't the preparation for the greater work. Prayer is the greater work. In Luke 18, Jesus teaches the parable of the persistent widow to remind us to never give up on God in prayer. Persistent prayer is an ongoing conversation with God without giving up because He desires a relationship with us. Because of Jesus, we have direct access to the Father and can approach Him with confidence. The Creator God desires to spend time with you, hear from you, and meet you where you are. Could it be that your unanswered prayer is the very thing God is using to keep you coming back to Him? If we want to see God move in our lives and in our church, it starts with persistent prayer. Check out our video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/mKmAqxhOyds Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/8wmeCwBf_zk Learn more about us at chestnutmountain.org Follow us on Facebook & Instagram @chestnutmtn_