Matt Brown Show

Topic: Travis Johnson on Being Unembarrassed of Jesus, Bold Faith, and Following Christ CloselyGuest: Travis Johnson is the pastor of Pathway Church, with campuses across the Gulf Coast. He also founded BioTRUST Change of Life and serves as a leader with the National Faith Advisory Board. Known for his bold, culturally engaged preaching and leadership, Travis is passionate about helping believers live out their faith with conviction and courage. His newest book, Unembarrassed of Jesus: Follow from a Distance and Lose Your Faith, Follow Closely and Change the World, challenges Christians to reject passive faith and boldly follow Jesus in every area of life.Many Christians want to follow Jesus while still fitting in with the culture around them. But when pleasing people becomes more important than pleasing God, our faith can become passive, watered down, and ineffective. Travis Johnson explains why following Jesus from a distance can slowly lead us away from Him—and why the world needs Christians who aren't afraid to stand firmly on biblical truth.In this episode, Travis shares how God has been moving through his ministry, including an incredible work in Cambodia that has grown from one children's home into a network of churches, schools, and ministry opportunities. He explains how obedience, long-term commitment, and a willingness to step out in faith can lead to extraordinary kingdom impact.Matt and Travis also discuss the danger of compromising biblical convictions to please culture, how the fear of man holds Christians back, and why following Jesus closely means being willing to speak and live out the truth. Travis offers practical ways to become more intentional in sharing your faith, praying with others, leading your family spiritually, and putting your beliefs into action.You'll be challenged to stop living a passive, comfortable Christianity and start boldly loving Jesus in every area of your life. Because when you care more about what God thinks than what people think, your faith becomes clearer, your purpose becomes stronger, and your impact grows.Check out:Pick up Travis Johnson's book, Unembarrassed of Jesus: Follow from a Distance and Lose Your Faith, Follow Closely and Change the World, here: https://www.amazon.com/Embarrassed-Jesus-Follow-Distance-Closely/dp/1636415121/Learn more about Travis and his ministry: https://www.pastortravisjohnson.com/ Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Plus-Love-Jesus-Influence/dp/0310355249/Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠⁠https://www.Thinke.org⁠⁠Special thanks:A special thank you to our show ministry partner “The Open Bible” from Thomas Nelson. This is a wonderful Bible to help you grow in Christ. Learn more ⁠⁠here⁠⁠: https://www.thomasnelsonbibles.com/the-open-bible/?utm_source=ShowNotes&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MattBrown Pick it up ⁠⁠here⁠⁠: https://faithgateway.com/products/the-open-bible-read-and-discover-the-bible-for-yourself-nkjv-hardcover-red-letter-comfort-print?variant=42800680730760&utm_source=ShowNotes&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=MattBrownThis show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God's grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 or more will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Philip Nation on The Power of God’s Word and Building a Daily Habit of ScriptureGuest: Philip Nation is a preacher, author, and vice president and group publisher for HarperCollins Christian Publishing, overseeing Thomas Nelson Bibles and Spanish Publishing. He has served as a pastor and church planter and is the author or collaborator of 28 books and Bible studies, including Habits for Our Holiness.Something remarkable is happening around the Bible. Bible sales have risen significantly in recent years, church attendance and Scripture engagement are growing in places like the United States and United Kingdom, and a younger generation surrounded by technology and uncertainty appears to be searching for something eternal to anchor their lives.In this episode, Philip Nation shares why Scripture is foundational to the Christian life. The Bible reveals who God is, helps us understand who we are, and shows us the path of redemption. Philip explains why regularly engaging with God’s Word is one of the most important factors in our spiritual growth.Matt and Philip also offer practical advice for building a daily Bible habit. From beginning with the Gospels to choosing a consistent time and place, reading Scripture with your family, memorizing verses, and even handwriting passages, the goal isn’t simply to check a box—it’s to know God and become more like Jesus.Philip also discusses Habits for Our Holiness and how spiritual disciplines are tools God uses to shape our character, deepen our relationship with Him, and strengthen our witness to others.Check out: A special thank you to our show ministry partner “The Open Bible” from Thomas Nelson. This is a wonderful Bible to help you grow in Christ. Learn more ⁠here⁠. Pick it up ⁠here⁠.Philip’s book, Habits for Our Holiness, available now.Explore Bibles and study resources from Thomas Nelson Bibles at ThomasNelsonBibles.com.Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠Special thanks:This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠

Topic: John Bevere on Preparing for the Return of Jesus and Living with Eternal UrgencyGuest: John Bevere is an international minister, New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of Messenger International, a ministry devoted to developing uncompromising followers of Christ. For more than 40 years, John has taught biblical truth around the world and is the author of 25 books, including his newest book, The King Is Coming: Prepare for the Return of Christ.For years, John Bevere intentionally stayed away from teaching about the end times. He believed the subject often created fear, arguments, or Christians simply waiting to escape the world. But after thousands of hours studying Scripture, his perspective completely changed.In this episode, John shares why the return of Jesus should not produce fear or speculation, but urgency, holiness, and an eager desire to see Christ. Matt and John discuss how the early church lived with an expectation of Jesus’ return and why believers today need that same eternal perspective.John also explains how studying the Second Coming exposed areas of complacency in his own life and gave him a renewed passion for reaching people with the gospel. Rather than becoming consumed with the things of this world, followers of Jesus are called to remain watchful, stay grounded in Scripture and prayer, and faithfully live out what God has called them to do.As John puts it, we should “act like He’s coming back today, and plan like He’s not coming back for 200 years.”Check out: A special thank you to our show ministry partner “The Open Bible” from Thomas Nelson. This is a wonderful Bible to help you grow in Christ. Learn more here.Pick it up here.John’s new book, The King Is Coming: Prepare for the Return of Christ, available now.Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠Special thanks:This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Moving beyond a shallow faith and truly following Jesus. Guest: Granger Smith is a former country music artist turned Christian minister known for boldly bringing mainstream audiences the truth of the gospel. He is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and Christian minister. After 24 years as an award-winning, platinum-selling country music artist, he stepped away from music to pursue ministry and discipleship. He is the host of the 9941 podcast and author of Poison in the Well: 11 Toxic Beliefs That Kept Me from the Living Water of Jesus.It’s possible to have faith in God and try to live a good life, while still missing the greatness of what it means to truly know Jesus.In this episode, Granger Smith shares how losing his three-year-old son, River, exposed how much of his faith had actually been built on himself. Through unimaginable grief and a season of hopelessness, God began transforming Granger’s understanding of Jesus, eventually leading him away from country music and into Christian ministry.Matt and Granger talk about Granger’s new book, Poison in the Well, and some of the warning signs of a shallow and nominal faith—including disconnection from the local church, a lack of engagement with Scripture, hopelessness, and ultimately having too small a view of God.Granger shares how a sermon from John Piper and the words of Jesus in John 14 helped awaken in him a new desire to know God through His Word. His story is a powerful reminder that Christianity is more than simply knowing about Jesus—it is about truly knowing, trusting, and following God.If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review. Check out: A special thank you to our show ministry partner “The Open Bible” from Thomas Nelson. This is a wonderful Bible to help you grow in Christ. Learn more here.Pick it up here.Pick up Granger Smith’s new book Poison in the Well: 11 Toxic Beliefs That Kept Me from the Living Water of Jesus here. Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at Thinke.org⁠Special thanks:This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Faith, Identity, and how God Is moving in Professional SoccerGuest: Andy Searles is the pastor of Church Together near Orlando, Florida, chaplain for Orlando City Major League Soccer team, and a leader among chaplains serving professional soccer across the country.As millions of people watched the World Cup this summer there were incredible expressions of faith in Jesus that have never been seen before. Andy Searles, chaplain for Orlando City Major League Soccer team shares some of the behind the scenes how God is moving in players lives and soccer as a whole. He shares from his personal journey how sports have an incredible ability to bring people together, but they can also become a source of identity—causing our sense of worth to rise and fall with performance, success, wins, and losses.Soccer once became an idol in his own life, but growing in following Jesus transformed his identity. He shares how that identity in Christ is available to all of us. Matt and Andy discuss the powerful expressions of faith happening throughout professional soccer, including players praying together, pointing people to Jesus, and using one of the world’s largest platforms to glorify God.Andy also shares what he has learned serving professional athletes who can easily be treated like commodities based on their performance. The gospel offers something completely different: our value isn’t determined by what we accomplish, but by who God says we are.The conversation closes with encouragement for parents raising young athletes. Sports can be an incredible tool for teaching teamwork, humility, perseverance, and even how to handle defeat well.As Andy says, “Don’t let soccer use your kid. Use soccer to nurture and shape your kid’s heart.”If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review!Check out: A special thank you to our show ministry partner “The Open Bible” from Thomas Nelson. This is a wonderful Bible to help you grow in Christ. Learn more here.Pick it up here.Learn more about Andy Searles and Church Together at OurChurchTogether.com.Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠Special thanks:This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Biblical Generosity, Stewardship, and Living with Open HandsGuest: Boyd Bailey is a Bible teacher, author, and ministry leader passionate about helping people apply biblical wisdom to everyday life. He founded Wisdom Hunters, a devotional ministry that helps believers build their lives on God’s Word, and serves as president of the National Christian Foundation of Georgia, helping families steward generosity for Kingdom impact. He is also the author of The Power of Generosity: Experiencing God's Amazing Abundance.Many people today feel pressure to chase success, security, and financial stability, believing that more money or achievement will bring lasting happiness. Yet even when people reach those goals, they often still feel empty, stressed, or dissatisfied.In this episode, Boyd Bailey shares how Scripture reveals a different path—one where true joy and fulfillment are found through generosity and trusting God with what we’ve been given. Drawing from his own testimony and decades of ministry, Boyd explains why generous people often experience deeper gratitude, stronger faith, and greater joy.Matt and Boyd also explore practical ways to cultivate a lifestyle of generosity—not just financially, but through our time, patience, and encouragement. As Boyd says, a simple prayer like “Lord, show me today how you want me to be generous” can transform the way we live and see God work through our lives.Check out: Boyd’s book, The Power of Generosity: Experiencing God's Amazing Abundance – How to Change the World Through Acts of Kindness, here.Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review!This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Unshakable Faith, Answering Objections, and Why Family Rhythms MatterGuest: Alex McFarland is a Christian apologist, author, evangelist, and cultural analyst heard daily on more than 200 radio stations nationwide. He is the host of The Alex McFarland Show and the author of more than 20 books, including The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity and The God You Thought You Knew. Alex has preached in over 2,000 churches, hosted large-scale evangelistic events across America, and spent years working with Focus on the Family.In a culture where young people are walking away from church, questioning their faith, and drowning in distraction, many parents feel anxious and unprepared. Why are so many kids abandoning Christianity? And what can families do now to build a faith that lasts?In this urgent and practical conversation, Alex shares what he’s learned from decades of ministry to teens, college students, and families. He explains why today’s objections to Christianity are often rooted more in emotional pain than intellectual doubt—and why empathy, truth, and consistency matter more than ever. One of the most powerful takeaways? Faith is formed in everyday rhythms. Alex challenges parents to reclaim simple but transformative habits—like unplugged family meals, prayer together, and consistent church involvement.You’ll be reminded that raising spiritually resilient kids doesn’t require big budgets or perfect parenting—but it does require intentional leadership, courage, and consistency.Check out:Learn more about Alex’s ministry, books, and upcoming Conversations That Matter events at ⁠alexmcfarland.com.⁠Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review!This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Evangelizing Children, Discipling the Next Generation, and Why Young Hearts Matter MostGuest: Fred Pry is the Vice President of Child Evangelism Fellowship, a global ministry dedicated to reaching children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, discipling them, and establishing them in local churches. Founded in 1937, CEF now operates in all 50 states and most countries around the world, with thousands of staff and volunteers and more than 4,000 Good News Clubs meeting in public schools.In a world where culture is discipling children faster than the Church, many parents and pastors feel overwhelmed and unsure how to effectively reach the next generation. With rising confusion, anxiety, and spiritual apathy among young people, the question is urgent: How do we make sure children hear and respond to the Gospel while their hearts are still open?In this powerful and hope-filled conversation, Fred shares the remarkable story of Child Evangelism Fellowship, from its unlikely beginnings to reaching over 240 million children in the last 20 years alone. He explains why Scripture repeatedly commands believers to tell the next generation about the mighty works of God and what happens when we don’t. You’ll be encouraged to see that God is moving powerfully among children around the world and that ordinary believers can play a vital role in reaching them.If you’ve ever wondered how to practically obey the Great Commission, this episode will show you how to pray, give, and go in ways that can impact eternity.Check out:Learn more about Child Evangelism Fellowship and find a local chapter: ⁠cefonline.com⁠Explore training, curriculum, and family discipleship resources through CEF Press at ⁠cefonline.com⁠Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review!This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Self-Centered Salvation, Renewing Your Mind, and Experiencing True Intimacy with GodGuest: Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and pastor whose ministry is devoted to helping people grow closer to Christ and closer to one another. He is the author of numerous influential books on marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation, including Sacred Marriage and The Sacred Search. His newest book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling Twelve Lies That Rob Your Intimacy with God, challenges believers to identify and reject the subtle falsehoods that keep them from experiencing the abundant life Jesus promises.Many Christians believe the gospel is simply about going to heaven when we die. While that is gloriously true, Gary explains that if we stop there, we reduce salvation to something self-centered and future-focused. Jesus and Paul preached a gospel that transforms how we live right now. It’s not just about getting to heaven—it’s about bringing heaven to earth.In this powerful conversation, Gary unpacks how cultural assumptions, subtle entitlement, and consumer Christianity can quietly erode our joy and intimacy with God. He shares how believing we “deserve” comfort or ease sets us up for disappointment and how seeing Jesus as our Rescuer fills us instead with gratitude and astonishment.You don’t have to change jobs or move across the world to live the abundant Christian life. But when your mind is renewed and your values are reshaped by Scripture, everything changes—your motivations, your purpose, your joy, and your peace.God has more for you than simply surviving until heaven. He invites you into a deeper, wiser, more purposeful life—right now.Check out:Learn more about Gary’s new book, The Life You Were Reborn to Live: Dismantling Twelve Lies That Rob Your Intimacy with God, here.Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review!This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠

Topic: Marital success, communication, and prioritizing family in the demanding world of professional sports and everyday life.Guests: George and Tondra Gregory are the founders of Journey for Life, a marriage ministry dedicated to equipping couples to build successful relationships. George serves as the chaplain for the Los Angeles Chargers, while Tondra ministers to the wives and girlfriends of players and coaches, as well as leads couples and front office Bible studies. They are the authors of "The Marriage Game Plan: Developing a Winning Strategy for Marital Success."In this insightful conversation, George and Tondra share their journey of building a strong marriage, drawing from their 30 years of experience, including 16 seasons ministering to NFL families. They emphasize the importance of having a "game plan" for marriage, especially in a culture where divorce rates are high, even among retired NFL players.Check out:Learn more about Journey for Life here: https://journeyforlifenow.org/ Pick up Matt's book, Truth Plus Love, ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Receive our free e-book “5 Keys to Find Fulfillment in God” at: ⁠Thinke.org⁠If you love this show, please subscribe, share this episode with friends, and leave a nice review!This show is made possible thanks to the support of friends like you.By God’s grace, we minister to millions of young people across America each year with powerful faith content.Your gift of $25 will help share Jesus with thousands of young people who need hope, in a community near you.Be a part today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thinke.org/donate⁠⁠⁠