Who are the NEPHILIM in the Bible?! (EXPLAINED) | Live Free with Josh Howerton

In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Carlos Erazo and Paul Cunningham tackle two fascinating and often misunderstood topics: how Christians should think about politics and the mysterious Nephilim in Genesis 6. Looking at Matthew 21, they unpack Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the powerful contrast between earthly political power and the kingdom Jesus came to establish. The conversation challenges two common errors Christians make today—treating politics as ultimate hope or ignoring it altogether—and explains how believers can engage culture while keeping their allegiance firmly rooted in Christ. The discussion then turns to the Nephilim, exploring the three historic interpretations of Genesis 6 and addressing common confusion surrounding the Book of Enoch and popular internet theories. Rather than getting lost in speculation, the hosts bring the focus back to the real message of the passage: humanity’s deep corruption and our desperate need for God’s redemption. In this episode, you’ll learn: What Jesus’ triumphal entry reveals about the true nature of His kingdom The two mistakes Christians make when thinking about politics How to discern when leaders misuse Scripture or Christian language The three historical views of the Nephilim in Genesis 6 What the Bible actually says about the Book of Enoch Why Genesis 6 ultimately points to humanity’s corruption and God’s judgment Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 💬 Comment who you think had the better burger taste test for this week’s hat giveaway 📲 Text APP to 20411 to download the Lakepointe app

Is God bringing revival to Iran? And what does honoring the Sabbath actually look like for Christians today?   In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo, and Paul Cunningham tackle two powerful topics shaping faith and culture right now. First, they unpack Luke 6 and the biblical meaning of the Sabbath—why God built rhythms of work and rest into creation, how the Pharisees turned the Sabbath into legalistic religion, and why Jesus declaring Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath” changes how believers understand rest today. The conversation explores how Sabbath is not just about stopping work, but about restoring the body, renewing the soul, and remembering that our identity is rooted in Christ—not productivity.   Then the episode shifts to an eye-opening conversation with Iranian-born pastor David Nasser about what’s really happening in Iran. Nasser shares his incredible story of escaping the Iranian Revolution, how his family encountered the gospel in America, and why many believe the underground church in Iran is one of the fastest-growing movements of Christianity in the world. The team discusses reports of Muslims encountering Jesus in dreams, the spiritual implications of current geopolitical events, and how the gospel continues advancing even in some of the most restricted places on earth.   From honoring the Sabbath to the rise of the Iranian church, this episode explores how God is still moving powerfully across the world—and how believers today can join His mission.   In this episode, you’ll learn: • What the Bible actually teaches about the Sabbath • Why Jesus called Himself the “Lord of the Sabbath” • The difference between legalistic religion and true spiritual rest • Why the church often grows fastest under persecution • What’s really happening with the underground church in Iran • How Christians can pray and participate in God’s global mission   💬 Comment for this week’s hat giveaway 🧢 Visit LiveFree.shop for merch 📲 Text APP to 20411 for the Lakepointe app

Can you really talk to God like He’s your Father? And what happens when He doesn’t answer your prayers?   In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo, and Paul Cunningham dive deep into what it really means that Jesus tore the veil. From the Lord’s Prayer and unanswered prayer to spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, this conversation unpacks how access to the Father changes everything.   But the team didn't stop there...they also tackled a pressing cultural question: If Jesus reigns as Lord, how should Christians think about rights, government, and public policy? Learn the difference between “freedom from” and “freedom to,” why language shapes belief, and how biblical wisdom helps us think beyond simplistic solutions.   This episode is about alignment: aligning your prayer life and your worldview under the authority of Christ.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why calling God “Father” was radically disruptive in the first century, and what it means for your prayer life today EIGHT specific biblical reasons God may not be answering your prayers Practical, step-by-step frameworks to deepen your daily prayer life What the Bible actually teaches about praying in tongues (without hype or denial) The difference between private, prophetic, and proof tongues in Scripture Why “Do not forbid speaking in tongues” and “Let all things be done in order” both matter How to connect your theology to public policy and cultural issues The difference between a biblical definition of rights and a progressive definition of rights 👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on faith, culture, and biblical clarity 📱 Download the Lakepointe Church App: Text APP to 20411 🧢 Comment "Hat" for a chance to win a Live Free hat, or visit livefree.shop to order! 👕 FREE T-SHIRT WEEKEND! March 21 & 22 If you’re in the DFW area, join us in person at Lakepointe Church and grab a free T-shirt while supplies last! We’d love to meet you. Visit https://lakepointe.church for locations and service times.   Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastor Josh Howerton and Jana Howerton dive into one of the most culturally controversial and biblically clear topics: God’s design for marriage. They unpack the theological foundation of headship and helpership from Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5, explaining why loving leadership and respectful support are not oppressive ideas, but protective ones. Rather than competing roles, Scripture presents marriage as a complementary covenant designed for strength, stability, and spiritual growth. The conversation moves into practical and often avoided topics including sexual integrity before and within marriage, emotional boundaries with the opposite sex, in-law dynamics, divorce and restoration, and how trust is rebuilt after betrayal. With clarity and conviction, they show how obedience to God’s Word—not cultural trends—leads to peace and flourishing in the home. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Bible actually teaches about headship and submission Why “helper” is a position of strength, not weakness How words shape the health of your marriage The difference between loving leadership and passive abdication Why sexual boundaries protect covenant intimacy When divorce is biblically permitted — and when restoration is possible 💬 Comment HAT for this week’s giveaway 📲 Text MARRIAGE to 20411 for your next step 🧢 Visit LiveFree.shop for merch

In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo, and Paul Cunningham tackle one of the most debated theological questions in Christianity: Does the Bible actually teach predestination? They walk through key Scriptures, clarify common misconceptions, and explain why God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are not enemies. Rather than dividing believers, a right understanding of this doctrine should strengthen confidence in evangelism and deepen trust in God’s character.    The conversation then moves to Luke 15 and the heart of the Father in the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost sons, unpacking the cultural background, exposing the danger of “older brother” religion, and offering practical tools for reaching the “one more” in your life through prayer, everyday conversations, and the B.L.E.S.S. method. The episode closes with cultural analysis around the Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy, showing how Christians can stand firm in truth while still reflecting God’s compassion for lost people made in His image.   In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Bible really teaches about predestination Why sovereignty and evangelism are not enemies The powerful context behind Luke 15’s parables How to know if you’re drifting into “older brother” syndrome A practical framework for helping someone take one step closer to Jesus How to respond to culture with clarity and compassion 💬 Comment HAT for this week’s giveaway 🧢 Visit LiveFree.shop for merch 📲 Text APP to 20411 for the Lakepointe app

Did Jesus stay silent on abortion and homosexuality, or are progressive politicians twisting Scripture to fit a modern agenda?   In this LIVE FREE reaction video, Pastor Josh Howerton responds directly to James Talarico’s viral claims on Joe Rogan that Jesus “never talked about” homosexuality or abortion and that Christians have made these issues central for political reasons. Walking carefully through Scripture, this episode dismantles the argument from silence, explains why Jesus’ affirmation of Genesis defines marriage clearly, and shows how the New Testament directly addresses sexual ethics and the sanctity of life. If you’ve heard these talking points online and felt confused, this is the biblical clarity you’ve been looking for.   You’ll learn: Why “Jesus never said it” is a weak theological argument How Matthew 19 defines marriage and excludes modern redefinitions Why Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6 directly address homosexuality Whether abortion is truly absent from biblical teaching How cultural pressure reshapes theology and how to resist it Why the real issue is the authority of Scripture and the Lordship of Christ This isn’t about politics. It’s about truth.   👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on faith, culture, and biblical clarity 📱 Download the Lakepointe Church App: Text APP to 20411   Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

Are Jewish people who don’t believe in Jesus still saved, and what does the Bible really say about Israel, stewardship, and the end times? In this episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo, and Paul Cunningham tackle one of the most misunderstood theological questions in Christianity today. Walking through Luke 19 and Romans 9–11, the conversation addresses salvation, ethnicity, faith, and God’s ongoing plan for Israel, cutting through sentimentality, political pressure, and internet half-truths with clear biblical reasoning. The episode also breaks down Jesus’ teaching on stewardship, rewards, money, and faithfulness. In the second half, we’re joined by Allie Beth Stuckey, host of Relatable, to discuss why Hillary Clinton recently published a hit piece targeting her, and what it reveals about power, truth, and cultural intimidation when Christian convictions refuse to bend. You’ll learn: Whether ethnicity or sincerity can save anyone. How Romans 11 explains God’s plan for Israel and the coming revival before Christ’s return Why the destruction of the Temple in AD 70 confirms Jesus’ authority and prophecy What Luke 19 teaches about stewardship, faithfulness, and eternal rewards Whether tithing is biblical and the deeper principle behind giving God the “first” Why faithfulness matters more than fame, applause, or platform 👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on faith, culture, and biblical truth 🎁 Comment Whataburger or In-and-Out on YouTube and Spotify for this week’s LIVE FREE giveaway 📱 Download the Lakepointe Church App: Text APP to 20411   Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

Does the Bible shape how you feel about culture, or how you see culture?   In this LIVE FREE special reaction episode, Pastor Josh reacts to the GRAMMYs, Billie Eilish’s “No one is illegal on stolen land” moment and Jelly Roll’s bold, Jesus-centered acceptance speech, and uses Scripture to show the difference between using the Bible as a mirror and as a lens (James 1) for evaluating what’s happening in the world. You’ll also hear a clear contrast between performative courage that wins applause and real courage that risks something, plus why Romans 1 explains a culture that celebrates lawlessness while calling biblical conviction “hate.”   You’ll learn: The two ways Christians must use the Bible: mirror vs lens (James 1) Why “stolen land” talking points collapse under basic history and logic How selective outrage gets weaponized to advance an agenda Why “you don’t live in a fascist dictatorship” if dissent gets standing ovations Romans 1’s warning: a society that approves what God condemns What Jelly Roll’s testimony reveals about the power of Scripture, repentance, and public witness The difference between conservative Christians vs Christian conservatives 💻 Join Live Free Nation: If these bonus reaction episodes are helpful, drop a comment on YouTube: your feedback tells us whether to keep doing them.   Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.   #LiveFree #Grammys #BillieEilish #JellyRoll #PopCultureReaction #ChristianResponse #ChurchOnline #SpeakTruth #Courage #StandFirm #GospelCentered #ChristianYouTube #FaithAndCulture #BiblicalWorldview #ReactVideo #CultureWar #ChristianLeadership #TeamJesus #Romans1 #James1

Are Christians being manipulated by propaganda, and do most believers even realize it?   In this episode, Pastors Josh Howerton, Carlos Erazo, Paul Cunningham confront the rise of viral propaganda, emotional manipulation, and misinformation surrounding ICE and cultural outrage, calling Christians to think biblically rather than react emotionally; from there, the conversation moves to Mark 10, where Jesus radically redefines greatness, power, and authority through service and sacrifice, before closing with a clear, no-spin theological examination of Mormonism, addressing whether it aligns with biblical Christianity and why Scripture repeatedly warns against “another Jesus” and “another gospel.”   You’ll learn: How propaganda and emotional manipulation shape public perception Why Proverbs 18:17 is critical in a viral-media culture What Jesus actually teaches about greatness and authority in Mark 10 The biblical definition of servant leadership Why Mormonism differs fundamentally from Christianity How to test spiritual claims, angelic revelations, and new scripture biblically 👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on faith, culture, and biblical truth 👉 Comment “HAT” to enter this week’s Live Free giveaway 👉 Download the Lakepointe Church App: Text APP to 20411   Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.

Are Christians forbidden from engaging in politics, or is Scripture being selectively weaponized to keep believers silent? In this LIVE FREE special reaction episode, Pastor Josh responds to Rhett & Link’s viral commentary on Christianity and politics, breaking down the biblical errors, cultural assumptions, and spiritual forces underneath the argument that Christians should “stay out of power.” This episode draws a clear line between faithful doubt vs. deliberate deception, and explains why political passivity is not a virtue, but a strategy the Bible warns us about. You’ll learn: - Why Jesus rejecting Satan’s offer was not a rejection of political authority, but of acquiring it the wrong way - The difference between refugees from doubt and apostles of unbelief (Jude 22–23) - Why “My kingdom is not of this world” is commonly misunderstood, and what Jesus actually meant - How secularism turns politics into a substitute religion (and why the state becomes god) - Why voting is not a sacrament, but a moral decision between available options - What it means to be the salt of the earth and how Christians are called to slow decay, not retreat - Why culture didn’t become political, the government became theological - How Scripture views power, dominion, and Christ as King of Kings over every sphere 👇 DROP A COMMENT: Do you want more reaction/test-drive episodes like this? 🎁 GIVEAWAY: Comment on YouTube for a chance to win a LIVE FREE hat. 👍 Like, Comment, & Subscribe for unapologetically biblical clarity 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes