Episode 186: Preaching

What lessons does one learn when the suffering you've experienced is counted in decades? This episode is a re-release of a conversation recorded back in 2020 with Alice Bergstrom about how the Lord has sustained her and grown her through years of suffering.

On this 186th episode, Jess and Graham banter about the weather, when to turn on your furnace, and old movie quotes. They spend a few minutes talking about the book of the month, “Digital Liturgies,” before diving into the topic of the day, preaching. What is preaching? What is expositional preaching? What is the aim of all preaching? Where does the power in preaching come from? All these questions—and more—addressed in this episode.

On this SPECIAL episode of The Calvary Cast, Jess and Graham banter about old banter, talk about a book, and a new audio Bible. The rest of the podcast is spent discussing Calvary's theological and philosophical distinctives: 1. The Sovereignty of God 2. The Doctrines of Grace 3. Expository Preaching 4. Elder-Led 5. Gospel-Centered Liturgy 6. Historically Informed 7. Cessationist 8. Complementarian 9. Humble Premillennialism 10. Biblical Counseling 11. Meaningful Church Membership

On this episode, the guys do a movie review...of sorts. They banter about a movie Graham liked and Jess disliked. They discuss the book of the month: "The Lord's Supper as a Means of Grace," by Richard Barcellos. The topic of the day is a big one: the glory of God. What is the glory of God, and how does it affect my life?

On this episode, Jess and Graham sit down with Dr. James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries. Dr. White was at Calvary presenting on Mormonism. On this podcast, Dr. White shares how he came to faith in Christ and got into apologetics, then answers questions on Mormonism and Reformed theology. Life and ministry (4:00) Questions on Mormonism (44:45) Calvinism (54:48) More questions on Mormonism (109:30)

On this episode, the guys banter about the weather, past banter, and what makes 'Merica great. (Skip to 4:07 if you can't handle the banter.) Topic of the day: The Lord's Supper. As we embark on a sermon series about the Lord's Supper, we thought it would be good to discuss some of the various views of the Lord's Supper. What differentiates us from the Roman Catholics and Lutherans when it comes to the Lord's Supper? How did the various understandings of what is happening in the Lord's Supper come about? All this, and more, on episode 182.

On this episode, the guys banter, then banter some more. If you don't like banter about coffee and jokes about soccer, then skip to the 7:35 mark. The guys then discuss three topics: What they're reading and gleaning personally from scripture, books they're reading and enjoying, and finally, feedback on the podcast about anxiety.

On this episode, Jess and Graham, surprisingly, banter very little. They have an extended conversation about the book of the month, "A Heart Aflame for God." For the topic of the day, the guys discuss anxiety. Anxiety is an issue everyone deals with at various levels, and the Bible gives us answers that can truly help us battle anxiety. They ask, and seek to answer, questions like: What is anxiety? Is Anxiety a sin, a medical condition, or a mental illness? What is the Bible's answer to anxiety? What is at the root of anxiety? There are many excellent resources available for Christians in their battle against anxiety. In addition to the pastors in your local church, here are some recommended books, articles, and podcasts to consider: - A Small Book for the Anxious Heart, by Ed Welch - Running Scared, by Ed Welch - The End of Anxiety, by Josh Weidman - Feelings and Faith, by Brian Borgman - (Article) Three Truths About Anxiety https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/articles/three-truths-about-anxiety-from-philippians-46-7/ - (Podcast) Biblical Wisdom for Anxiety https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/podcast-episodes/biblical-wisdom-for-anxiety/ - (Video) How do you work through anxiety and anxious moments? https://www.ccef.org/video/how-do-you-work-through-anxious-moments/

On this episode (179, not 178 as Graham says at the beginning of the pod), the guys banter about books and Ben Sasse before starting in on the topic of the day, "What do we do with our guilt and shame?" What is guilt? What is shame? How are they similar and different? As Christians, we know we are no longer counted guilty before God, but we still feel guilty. What do we do with these feelings? The gospel is the answer for our actual guilt and our feelings of shame. Only as we turn to the gospel can we live in the freedom that has been purchased for us. Recommended articles on guilt and shame: The many faces of shame https://www.ccef.org/many-faces-shame/ Guilt and its associates https://www.ccef.org/guilt-regret/ The gospel for shame https://www.ccef.org/shame/

On this special episode, Graham and Jess interview Peter C. Peter has been a missionary in many countries and, for the last several years, has ministered in contexts where there is little to no gospel presence. They talk about how he came to faith in Christ, his theological convictions, especially his understanding of the sovereignty of God in salvation, and how the Lord is sustaining him in a season of suffering.