Why do Christians celebrate Advent? And why is Advent an essential part of the Christmas season?

In this episode, Gil Shelsby is joined by Lead Pastor Ben Cachiaras to take a deep dive into the season of Advent, and discover what value it can bring to your spiritual life this Christmas season.

3:34 - What is Advent? Where Does it Come From? How Does It Relate to Christmas

9:38 - What are the countercultural themes of Advent?

18:58 - Practical ways to observe Advent

26:58 - Ways to slow down & focus on Jesus this Christmas Season

31:27 - What are "Relational Gifts"?

35:39 - Favorite Advent Resources

Resources

• 🕯️ Advent Reflections Experience - https://bit.ly/3AHsIRQ
• “The Book of Common Prayer” - https://bit.ly/3CEBalq
• “Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus” by Fleming Rutledge - https://bit.ly/3YXlpxd
• “When the Time Was Fulfilled: Christmas Meditations” by Eberhard Arnold, Christoph Blumhardt, and Alfred Delp - https://bit.ly/3OHBiDq
• “A Time for Wonder: The Days of Advent Through the Eyes of Worship”, A devotional from Christianity Today - https://bit.ly/3OIkqfU
• “Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas” by Plough Publishing House - https://bit.ly/41pUJIB
• “Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional” by Asheritah Ciuciu - https://bit.ly/4fZKRcX
• “The Gospel of Christmas: Reflections for Advent” by Patty Kirk - https://bit.ly/49khShn
• “Advent for Everyone: Luke: A Daily Devotional” by N.T. Wright - https://bit.ly/3ZAi6xz
• “Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J. Nouwen: Daily Scripture and Prayers Together With Nouwen’s Own Words” by Father John Mudd - https://bit.ly/4f3Ciwp
• “The Art of Advent: A Painting a Day from Advent to Epiphany” by Jane Williams - https://bit.ly/4iiDZc7
• “Preparing for Christmas: Daily Meditations for Advent” by Richard Rohr - https://bit.ly/4f1XUt6
• “The Advent of the Savior” by Cindy Bunch - https://bit.ly/3BrwK0K
• “Hidden Christmas: The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ” by Timothy Keller - https://bit.ly/3OE4mf5
• Fleming Rutledge’s Advent Sermon Part 1 - https://bit.ly/3Zh5xqM
• Fleming Rutledge’s Advent Sermon Part 2 - https://bit.ly/4eJe4qW
• Do you want to find some people to walk alongside of you as you explore your faith? Join a group and start following Jesus with others! 👉bit.ly/ConnectMTN

Subscribe for more!

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3NZzzto

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3O2atKo

New to Mountain? Click here to connect 👉 https://bit.ly/WelcomeToMountain

Need prayer? We’d love to pray for you 👉 https://bit.ly/3f3V49C!

Information about Mountain 👉 https://bit.ly/MtnWebsite

To join in the mission at Mountain in reaching people all around the world, click here: https://mountaincc.org/giving

Mountain’s mission is to “make disciples – more and better disciples.” This is expressed by calling everyone to personally respond in faith to Jesus as Savior and Lord and continuing to follow him in community as we Love God, Love People, and Serve the World together!

📧Got Questions? Email us at podcast@mountaincc.org

What happens when you die? Is heaven a real place? If so, where is it?

In this episode, Lead Pastor Ben Cachiaras answers our questions and discusses some shocking misconceptions about heaven. You might be surprised to learn that the Bible says what we believe about heaven impacts our lives today—not just after we die. Heaven isn’t a place we just go to when we die, it’s about transforming our world today.

5:24 - Ways we describe heaven?

7:59 - Christian perspective of the afterlife

12:21 - What do we get wrong about heaven?

15:23 - What does the Bible say about heaven?

29:42 - What should Christians think about the afterlife?

34:51 - Will we get to experience heaven on earth?

38:28 - Where do I go when I die?

46:36 - Should Christians worry about the afterlife?

Resources

• “Paradise Lost” by John Milton - https://bit.ly/3C5n5wW
• “Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World” By Tom Holland - https://bit.ly/4frklsh
• Do you want to find some people to walk alongside of you as you explore your faith? Join a group and start following Jesus with others! 👉bit.ly/ConnectMTN

Subscribe for more!

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3NZzzto

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3O2atKo

New to Mountain? Click here to connect 👉 https://bit.ly/WelcomeToMountain

Need prayer? We’d love to pray for you 👉 https://bit.ly/3f3V49C!

Information about Mountain 👉 https://bit.ly/MtnWebsite

To join in the mission at Mountain in reaching people all around the world, click here: https://mountaincc.org/giving

Mountain’s mission is to “make disciples – more and better disciples.” This is expressed by calling everyone to personally respond in faith to Jesus as Savior and Lord and continuing to follow him in community as we Love God, Love People, and Serve the World together!

📧Got Questions? Email us at podcast@mountaincc.org

What’s happening between Israel and Palestine and how should Christians respond?

In this episode, Gil Shelsby is joined by Mountain's Executive Pastor, Luke Erickson to thoughtfully talk through the Israel-Palestine conflict. Together, they explore the historical and current events in the region and reflect on how Christians can navigate and respond to these developments amid division.

6:27 - How should Christians respond to the Israel/Palestine conflict?

8:40 - What does it mean to pray for Israel?

10:39 - How does the modern state of Israel relate to the biblical Israel from the Old Testament?

13:28 - Christian view of Israel today because of Jesus

16:00 - Is Israel's destiny fulfilling Biblical prophecy?

19:41 - How Jesus fulfills Old Testament Prophecies

24:53 - How is Israel connected to Jesus' second coming?

26:54 - Israel and the End Times?

32:00 - Israel and Revelation?

39:00 - How should the Church Respond?

Resources

• Sermon: Are We Living in The End Times? | Luke Erickson - https://bit.ly/3TtWGyI
• The Walk Podcast | Reading Revelation w/ Dr. Michael J. Gorman - https://bit.ly/4eoMCz6
• Do you want to find some people to walk alongside of you as you explore your faith? Join a group and start following Jesus with others! 👉bit.ly/ConnectMTN

Subscribe for more!

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3NZzzto

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3O2atKo

New to Mountain? Click here to connect 👉 https://bit.ly/WelcomeToMountain

Need prayer? We’d love to pray for you 👉 https://bit.ly/3f3V49C!

Information about Mountain 👉 https://bit.ly/MtnWebsite

To join in the mission at Mountain in reaching people all around the world, click here: https://mountaincc.org/giving

Mountain’s mission is to “make disciples – more and better disciples.” This is expressed by calling everyone to personally respond in faith to Jesus as Savior and Lord and continuing to follow him in community as we Love God, Love People, and Serve the World together!

📧Got Questions? Email us at podcast@mountaincc.org