It’s Election Week, and disagreement seems to be everywhere. Can Christians remain united when they see the world differently? Cole, Bobby, and Rowdy explore Nehemiah 3, lessons from a recent pastors' summit, and what it means to build instead of simply watching from the sidelines. Plus, what should our response be after Election Day, no matter the outcome?They connect church unity and service to political disagreement, family relationships, long-term commitment, and keeping hope rooted in God rather than elections.KeywordsChristian unity, disagreeing as Christians, church community, Nehemiah 3, serving in church, political division, Christian relationships, conflict resolution, faith and politicsKey TopicsCole Phillips and Rowdy reflect on election-day divisions and ask how Christians can work together despite disagreement.Nehemiah 3 shows ordinary people joining around a common purpose, with each person contributing to a shared rebuilding effort.They distinguish winning an argument from achieving the deeper goal, such as strengthening a marriage or relationship.Church disagreements over nonessential beliefs call for freedom and love, while the hosts emphasize unity on essential gospel beliefs.The discussion challenges church consumerism: members can move from spectators to participants by serving, giving, and taking ownership.They apply the idea of staying rooted to friendships, marriage, church membership, and working through conflict rather than leaving at the first difficulty.The hosts say political outcomes do not determine Christian hope, and encourage prayer, gracious conversation, and a focus on living out faith at home and in the community.A church building project is framed as making room for people and future stories of life change, not simply constructing a building.Big Takeaways“The win is not how we start. The win is how we finish.”“Are you trying to prove that you're right or improve the relationship?”“Conflict, yes, it's inevitable. Combat, however, totally optional.”“The church is not a consumerism sport. It is a contribution sport.”“If two people are exactly the same, then one of them is not necessary.”“This is not Pastor Cole's church. This is not the staff's church. This is our church.”“Every time the government shifts left or right, we still have the same mission regardless.”“What do you want to do in me and what do you want to do through me?”Key FrameworksNehemiah 3 as a model of shared work and common purposeIn essentials, unity; in nonessentials, freedom; in all things, loveThe Pareto principle (the 80/20 rule)Alignment over time: small deviations can create large separationSound bites"We're supposed to carry crosses.""Willing to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes.""The church is not a consumerism sport."Chapters00:00 Election-day setup and the chili cook-off analogy03:10 Nehemiah 3: a shared mission brings people together07:08 Why we mistake people for the enemy09:28 Winning the argument versus winning the relationship12:24 Redefining the win in a season or a marriage15:17 Essentials, nonessentials, and church disagreements18:12 Turning a complaint about crosses into a chance to serve23:28 Alignment, persistence, and building what lasts28:14 The unseen people who make church happen32:08 From church consumer to committed contributor37:01 Why ownership sounds like 'our church'42:23 Stay rooted and work through conflict46:40 Politics, Christian hope, and election outcomes51:21 Keeping political differences from breaking relationships53:15 Helping young Christians put Jesus first57:35 Responding to neighbors with grace and hospitality01:00:55 One mission through every change in government01:04:16 Celebrating faithful servants and looking ahead01:06:12 Sacrifice, the Lamb of God, and a life surrendered01:08:21 An invitation to surrender to Jesus

In this episode, we explore how faith guides us through anxiety, the importance of biblical character in leadership, and the impact of technology on our spiritual lives. Our discussion emphasizes prayer, biblical principles, and active engagement in society to foster a deeper connection with God.

Keywords

faith, prayer, anxiety, leadership, technology, biblical character, politics, social media, church, spiritual growth

Key Topics

• The importance of prayer in overcoming anxiety

• Biblical character and leadership in politics

• The influence of social media and technology on faith

• The role of the church in societal issues

• Practical steps for spiritual growth and prayer

Sound bites

"Don't be anxious, but in everything, pray."

"Fear is a tactic of the enemy."

"AI can become a form of idolatry."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and main themes

04:11 Biblical encouragement to not be anxious and trust God

07:46 The biblical basis for overcoming fear with faith

11:05 The power of intentional biblical exposure

15:14 Evaluating political candidates through biblical character

20:58 The importance of integrity and biblical values in leadership

26:37 The true meaning of separation of church and state

30:53 Comparing Christian perspectives in politics

34:19 The dangers of AI and technology replacing spiritual connection

38:36 The impact of technology on marriage and relationships

41:02 The importance of community and God's image in relationships

42:00 The danger of AI as a hollow substitute for God

43:55 The importance of prayer and patience in God's timing

47:48 Steps to discern God's voice and direction

50:11 The significance of obedience and faithfulness in prayer

52:03 The church's future and the power of collective prayer

54:22 Praying for revival, families, and spiritual growth

55:45 The church as a beacon of hope and revival

56:43 Focusing on God's work in our homes and communities

57:07 The power of prayer to connect, transform, and guide

In this episode, we explore the biblical perspective on spiritual deception, the influence of Satan, and how Christians can stand firm in faith amidst cultural challenges. We discuss recent events, biblical truths, and practical ways to armor up against spiritual attacks.

Keywords

spiritual deception, Satan, biblical worldview, Christian faith, cultural issues, spiritual warfare, biblical truth, prayer, armor of God

Key topics

• Satan's primary strategy is deception and disguise
• The Satanic Temple's beliefs and symbolism
• Biblical insights on Satan's tactics and identity
• The importance of biblical context and interpretation
• How Christians can stand firm with the armor of God
• The influence of culture and politics on faith
• The danger of taking scripture out of context
• Practical steps for spiritual warfare and prayer
• The significance of biblical worldview and discernment

Takeaways

• Satan's main tactic is deception, disguising himself as an angel of light.
• The Satanic Temple uses symbols like rebellion and autonomy, not literal Satan.
• Christians must understand biblical context to avoid being deceived.
• The armor of God is essential for spiritual protection and victory.
• Standing firm in faith and prayer is our best defense against spiritual attacks.

Sound bites

"Satan's primary strategy is deception and disguise."

"Biblical context is crucial to avoid being deceived."

"The armor of God is our spiritual protection."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Culture and Spiritual Warfare

01:55 The Experience at Game on Austin and Christian Themes

03:47 The Satanic Prayer at the Iowa City Council

10:02 Understanding the Satanic Temple's Beliefs and Symbols

14:55 Biblical Perspectives on Satan and Deception

20:10 The Temptation of Jesus and Satan's Strategies

25:01 The Rise of Personal Autonomy and Rebellion

29:49 Recognizing Deception and Playing with Dangerous Things

35:13 The Biblical Response: Truth, Discernment, and Prayer

40:06 The Armor of God and Standing Firm in Faith

50:09 Practical Steps for Spiritual Warfare and Courage

54:00 Conclusion: Living Boldly in Christ

In this episode, Cole Phillips and Pastor Bobby explore the complexities of church membership, why people leave or stay, and how to discern God's will in these decisions. They emphasize the importance of biblical faithfulness, community, and personal growth in the church.

Keywords

church, faith, community, biblical doctrine, church membership, spiritual growth, church leadership, church discipline, church health, Christian living

Key Topics

• Reasons to stay in a church
• Legitimate reasons to leave a church
• How to evaluate a church's faithfulness
• The importance of biblical doctrine and orthodoxy
• Dealing with church conflict and disagreements
• The role of community and accountability in church
• The impact of consumer culture on church attendance
• The significance of commitment and growth in faith
• Addressing church hurt and spiritual abuse
• Practical steps before leaving a church

Sound bites

"Church is not a buffet, it's a family."

"Disagreements do not mean death."

"Be a peacemaker, not just a peacekeeper."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode

01:56 The significance of Psalm 23 and its application to rest and contentment

03:53 The question of should I stay or should I leave my church

05:49 The dangers of consumerism and social media trends in church hopping

08:10 What makes a church biblically faithful and healthy

12:00 Key questions to evaluate if a church aligns with biblical doctrine

14:52 The importance of leadership character and biblical qualifications

20:07 The role of community, roots, and commitment in spiritual growth

25:02 When and why it is legitimate to leave a church

29:47 Dealing with doctrinal departure, sin, and abuse in churches

35:04 The importance of communication, accountability, and reconciliation

39:54 The dangers of following personalities and emotional decisions

45:01 Unity in the body of Christ and fighting against division

49:56 Practical steps before leaving a church and the importance of prayer

55:11 The significance of commitment, faithfulness, and spiritual growth

01:00:01 The dangers of consumerism and online church versus community

01:04:48 Living out faith in community and the importance of accountability

This episode explores the biblical perspective on the relationship between God and government, emphasizing how Christians can engage with politics while remaining faithful to their faith. We discuss practical ways to stand for truth, pray for leaders, and love our neighbors in a polarized culture.

keywords

God over government, Christian faith, political engagement, biblical principles, leadership, prayer, cultural division, Christian worldview, civil disobedience, voting

key topics

• Biblical view of government and authority
• How Christians should respond to political division
• The importance of prayer for leaders and nations
• Balancing truth and love in political discourse
• The role of civil disobedience and biblical civil obedience
• The significance of voting and civic responsibility
• The impact of family and community on national health
• The danger of tribalism and labels in politics
• The importance of discernment and critical thinking
• The spiritual battle behind cultural conflicts

sound bites

• "Everyone must submit to governing authorities because all authority comes from God."
• "In the middle of the road, that's where the road kill is."
• "We must obey God rather than human beings."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The Biblical View of God and Government

02:00 The Growing Divide in Culture and Politics

04:07 The Temptations in Political Engagement: Fear and Aggression

05:59 Biblical Principles for Standing Firm in Truth

08:08 The Role of Civil Disobedience and Obedience to God

09:54 Scriptural Foundations: Romans 13 and 1 Timothy 2

11:50 Respecting Authority Without Blind Approval

13:52 The Example of David and King Saul

16:06 The Power of Prayer for Leaders and Nations

17:58 Engaging in Political Discourse with Wisdom and Discernment

19:53 The Importance of Voting and Civic Responsibility

22:03 Standing Firm in Faith During Political Challenges

24:10 The Role of the Family and Community in Culture

25:53 Love, Respect, and the Image of God in Others

27:54 Practical Steps for Christians to Make a Difference

29:53 Conclusion: Faith, Courage, and Hope in Christ

In this episode, Cole Phillips and Rowdy Lind discuss the issues surrounding Islam, its history, and its impact on the West. They explore the spiritual, political, and cultural dimensions, emphasizing the importance of engaging with these topics from a biblical perspective.

Keywords

Islam, Christianity, spiritual warfare, terrorism, Sharia law, Islamophobia, religious ideology, cultural conflict, biblical truth, religious freedom

Key Topics

• The history of Islam and Muhammad's revelation
• The distinction between Islam as a religion and ideology
• The connection between Islam and terrorism
• The influence of Islam on Western culture and laws
• The biblical view of spiritual warfare and the land of Israel
• The rise of Islam in Europe and demographic shifts
• The dangers of Sharia law and its conflict with Western freedoms
• The importance of biblical truth in engaging with Islam
• The need for Christians to respond with love and truth
• The cultural and spiritual battle for the soul of the West

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Topic and Its Importance

01:56 Reflecting on 9/11 and America's Response

04:12 The Rise of Islamophobia and Its Implications

05:57 Islamist Ideology and Its Overlap with Terrorism

07:48 Historical Roots of the Conflict: Land, Lineage, and Lord

10:07 Muhammad's Revelation and Its Biblical Contradictions

12:02 The Cult-Like Nature of Islam and Its Political Dimensions

13:49 Demographics and the Growing Influence of Islam in the West

16:12 Legal and Cultural Changes Driven by Islamic Law

18:02 The Red Green Alliance and the Collaboration of Ideologies

19:56 The Need for Christian Response and Engagement

21:52 Sharing the Gospel with Muslims and Non-Christians

23:58 The Importance of Biblical Truth and Discernment

25:56 Practical Ways to Respond with Love and Truth

27:49 The Role of the Church in Cultural and Spiritual Warfare

30:09 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, Cole and Bobby talk about the importance of the armor of God, the battle against lies in culture, and how to stand firm in truth and faith. They emphasize the need for biblical understanding and practical application of spiritual principles to navigate modern challenges.

Keywords

armor of God, spiritual warfare, truth, identity, culture, biblical truth, lies, faith, Christian living, spiritual battle

Key topics

• The significance of the belt of truth as the foundation of spiritual armor
• How Satan schemes to deceive through lies and cultural narratives
• The importance of defining identity from God's perspective, not culture
• The value of life from conception to death and God's view of human dignity
• The danger of living by feelings rather than truth and facts
• The importance of boundaries in relationships and spiritual life
• The role of love and truth in Christian witness and parenting
• The biblical response to cultural lies about identity, life, and freedom
• The importance of knowing and trusting God's word as the ultimate authority
• Practical ways to apply the armor of God in daily life

Sound bites

• "Our battle is not against flesh and blood."
• "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
• "Feelings are like leaves off a tree in a storm."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and celebration of 22 years of connection church

01:53 Baptisms in the river and memorable moments

04:10 Introduction to the series Battle Ready and the armor of God

05:07 The belt of truth as the foundation of spiritual armor

06:59 Satan's schemes and the battle of ideas

09:50 The lie that we define ourselves apart from God

12:45 The value of human life from conception to death

17:07 The importance of speaking the truth in love

20:01 The biblical and scientific view of identity and gender

22:52 The danger of living by feelings and subjective truth

26:08 The lie that freedom means doing whatever I feel

29:58 The importance of boundaries and God's protection

32:51 Love and truth in Christian life and parenting

38:02 The deception of Satan and the importance of God's word

40:54 The role of Jesus as the embodiment of truth

45:10 Practical application of the armor of God in daily life

What does temptation promise and what is it hiding? Drawing from the first two weeks of Unhooked, this episode follows the path from desire and deception to bondage, secrecy, and shame. We discuss social media, gambling, the illusion of control, and why freedom begins when we recognize the bait, surrender to God, and tell the truth to someone we trust.