Off Script | The New Life

Are you letting your past self hold you back from who God is calling you to be today? How do you know if you are truly maturing in your walk with Christ? In this episode of Off Script, Scott and Neil dive into the back half of Ephesians 4, unpacking what it really means to actively put off your old self and step into spiritual maturity. They break down the difference between pseudo-masculinity and true biblical manhood, discuss why "cotton candy Christianity" and trend-chasing can't sustain real growth, and explore the power of authentic accountability through intentional community. This week, evaluate your spiritual growth by bringing someone into your life who loves Jesus, displays the fruit of the Spirit, and knows you well. Ask them directly: "In what ways do you see me becoming more like Jesus, and where do you see areas where I still need to grow?" Hosts: Scott and Neil What We Discuss: Unpacking Ephesians 4: The distinction between your old self and new self, and why putting off the old self requires actively killing old habits rather than passive growth. Redefining Biblical Masculinity: Moving past pseudo-masculinity, boisterous behavior, or cultural stereotypes to look at Jesus as the ultimate model of true manhood. Authentic Accountability: How to build deep, vulnerable relationships with believers who love and know you. Evaluating True Growth: Why you can't measure your own growth chart and must rely on biblical authority and objective truth rather than using "growth" to excuse sinful patterns. The Danger of "Cotton Candy Christianity": Recognizing warning flags around new-fangled religious trends, unchecked authority, and elevated methodologies that draw people away from foundational biblical truth. Building a Relational Mentorship Model: Why believers need people ahead of them to follow, peers running beside them, and younger believers to invest in. Receiving Constructive Feedback: How to lower your defensiveness, ask follow-up questions, and invite trusted friends to speak truth into your life. Cultivating Healthy Spiritual Appetites: Moving away from a "Mountain Dew and M&M's" routine to feed your soul on Scripture, prayer, and deep spiritual discipline. Fan vs. Follower: The stark contrast between being a spectator of Jesus who leaves when it costs something and being a gritty disciple committed to following Jesus no matter what. ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 4 Healthy things grow. Scott leads us through Ephesians 4:11-16 as we examine our spiritual maturity and identity in Christ. Unity precedes maturity, and we measure our maturity in comparison to Jesus. Godly men and women focus on and pursue being more like Jesus. We grow in the context of community, not in isolation. If we want to grow as disciples of Jesus, we have to prioritize gathering with the people of Jesus to defiantly worship Jesus. If you want to become more like Jesus, go where He leads you.

Are you placing your daily confidence in temporary approval and accolades, or are you grounded in the unending love of God? This week on Off Script, Scott Nickell is joined by guest pastors Carl Kuhl and Jonathan Moynihan for a raw, insightful conversation about identity, pastoral leadership, and the internal battles we all face. Diving into Ephesians 3:14–21, the guys unpack what it means to suffer from "identity deficit disorder"—jumping from one temporary platform of validation to another. They share candid personal stories about the high cost of craving approval, the painful yet transformative seasons in the wilderness, and why true spiritual health requires learning to "waste time" in quiet intimacy with our Heavenly Father. The Challenge Name your stickers. What "star" have you come to love a little too much? What "dot" still stings? Bring both to God this week, sit quietly with him, and let him remind you who you are: his beloved child. Hosts: Scott Nickell, Carl Kuhl, and Jonathan Moynihan What We Discuss The shared leadership "coaching tree" and ministry history connecting Carl, Jonathan, and Southland How Jonathan's journalism background shapes his objective, text-focused approach to preaching The vital distinction between podcasters detached from local congregations and local church pastors Unpacking Ephesians 3:14–21 as the emotional climax and theological foundation of the series Defining "identity deficit disorder" and how good things can easily become ultimate things Max Lucado's parable of stars and dots in You Are Special: examining the deep human craving for external approval Vulnerable admissions of which "stars" feel too good and which "dots" sting the most How seasons of deep pain and wilderness experiences forge a genuine hunger for God's presence  ⸻  About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

SERMON SUMMARY Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 3 True spiritual security and belonging come from the love of God. This week, Jonathan Moynihan walked through Ephesians 3 as we continue our series on Identity. Paul calls the Ephesians to empowerment and depth by describing that this life of power, resilience, and depth comes from being rooted in the breadth, length, height, and depth of God's love. So many people carry stars of approval or gray dots of criticism, building fragile identities around what they think others think of them. But true spiritual security comes from experiencing God's love, freeing us from the need to perform. Wrestle with what God truly thinks of you, and meet with your Maker daily. Set a time and place every day to go meet with Jesus, hear His kindness over you, put down those dots and stars, and live freely and strongly.

What standard identity markers define you, and what happens when they get threatened? In this episode of Off Script, we continue our series on Identity, diving back into Ephesians 2 and what it truly means to establish our identity in Jesus as the unshakeable cornerstone of our lives. Scott peels back the curtain on sermon cuts, addressing how easy it is to let good, bad, or arbitrary cultural markers like racial distinctions, professional performance, or modern therapy take priority in our lives. When we build our lives on secondary things, even good ones, they can quickly turn destructive. Listen in to explore how pursuing our identity in Christ changes the way we see ourselves and others. Challenge: What is the next step you need to take? This week, take some time to identify what your next step is, then actually take it. That might be baptism, joining a group, starting to serve, or any number of ways to continue to pursue living life with Jesus as the chief cornerstone of your life. Need help? Contact us at southland.church/contact Hosts: Neil and Scott What We Discuss: The biblical view on racial distinctions and why human attempts to define identity outside of Christ fall short. Why sermon cuts happen and the nuance behind complex topics like critical race theory and social movements. The spiritual root cause behind why we so quickly forget God's faithfulness and slip back into old habits. What pursuing true, lasting peace looks like in action versus mere cultural tolerance. The key difference between prioritizing good things (like family or work) and making them your life's cornerstone. How unbiblical self-focus in modern therapy can lead to morbid introspection instead of outward service. Navigating the "feedback monster" and avoiding performance-driven metrics as a measure of personal worth. How to identify when your emotions are telling on you regarding where you place your primary identity. Six simple, practical steps every believer can take to continuously build a life centered on Jesus. Recommended book resources for digging deeper into spiritual growth, identity, and modern culture. Resources: Contend by Philip Anthony Mitchell Stand Firm & Act Like Men by Joby Martin Becoming Like Jesus by Matt Chandler The Desecration of Man by Carl R. Trueman Godly Ambition by Ruslan KD Your Story Has a Villain by Jonathan Pokluda ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 2 There can be only one cornerstone, and his name is Jesus. Scott leads us through Ephesians 2:11–22 as we continue our series on Identity. We were once far off, and the only way we have been brought near and reconciled into a relationship with God is by the blood of Jesus. What are you building your life on? We may be tempted to build our lives on good things, sinful things, or dumb things, but anything or anyone other than Jesus will always fail. He is the chief cornerstone, so build your life on Him.

Are you living like you were rescued just to sit back in a gallery, or are you ready to join Jesus on His active rescue mission? This week on Off Script, Neil Gregory sits down with Scott Hatfield to dive deeper into Ephesians 2 and unpack what it means to step into our true identity in Christ. The guys discuss how we aren't just sick in our sins - we were completely dead until grace brought us to life. Scott shares personal stories of people who persistently pursued him through years of hesitation, as well as the heartbreaking urgency of sharing the Gospel with those we love. This conversation is a powerful reminder that every believer is equipped and called to step out of their comfort zone to bring hope into dark places.  The Challenge This week, start each day with a posture of "Yes," asking God to show you who needs His hope and grace. Identify one person in your life you've been hesitant to reach out to, push past the awkwardness, and take a bold step to share your story or invite them into community. Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Hatfield  What We Discuss • Unpacking Ephesians 2 and why Paul's expository flow makes it so compelling to preach • Understanding why we are not merely sick in our sin, but spiritually dead until Christ resurrects us • Why sin thrives in darkness and the freedom that comes from speaking our struggles out loud into the light  • Shifting from a passive mindset to recognizing that believers are part of Jesus' active rescue party • "You are not rescued to hang in a gallery; you are to go into all the world and display what Jesus has done." • Scott's personal experience of Chris Johnstone patiently inviting him to church for years despite repeated rejections • How Rick and Linda Johnson persistently showed up as spiritual parents during chaotic moments in Scott's youth • Scott sharing the emotional memory of apologizing to and sharing the Gospel with his brother shortly before his passing • Overcoming common excuses like "I don't know enough" or "that's for someone else" when called to step into holy conversations • Scott's childhood story of his father choosing healing over punishment and how it mirrors God's heart in John 3:17  ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 2 Sin is terminal. Grace is a gift. Scott Hatfield dives into Ephesians 2 to unpack our identity by grace through faith in Jesus. Paul begins with the heavy reality of sin—it is universal, terminal, and separates us from a Holy God. Yet the power of the Gospel is found in two words: "But God." Because of His immense mercy and love, salvation is a free gift given by grace through faith, not earned by works. God created us as His masterpiece, not to sit on a shelf, but to step out into the world as part of His rescue party. Give God your "yes" and step into the good works He has prepared for you. Wherever you are, whatever you've done, God will meet you here.

Are you tired of trying to define your own worth, or are you ready to rest in who God says you actually are? This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott launch a brand new series on identity by diving into Ephesians 1 and the powerful reality of adoption in Christ. The guys break down what it means to be chosen and adopted into God's family, exploring how the absence of a strong earthly father often drives us to search for identity in all the wrong places. From the chaotic background of ancient Ephesus to the creepiness of Pleasure Island in Pinocchio, this conversation challenges us to stop running after temporary idols and step into the full assurance, grace, and inheritance we have in our Heavenly Father.  The Challenge  This week, audit where you are seeking your sense of identity and validation. When you feel tempted to define yourself by your performance, approval, or past mistakes, pause and remind yourself who you are, whose you are, and what you have in Christ. Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Nickell What We Discuss • Scott hosting solo with Aaron and learning how much harder it is when you lose your train of thought in a two-person setup • The historical and spiritual background of Ephesus, described as a mix between Las Vegas and New Orleans • Scott's personal story of his "Papa" calling him a "poor little orphan boy" and how earthly fathers shape our view of God • Addressing "father wounds" and how even a bad earthly father gives us a framework for what a good father should be • Why humans are not self-defining creatures and how we look to outside inputs like Pinocchio's Pleasure Island or gangs for identity • Unpacking Ephesians 1 to answer the three core identity questions: Who am I? Whose am I? and What do I have? • Why "predestination" is a Bible word we shouldn't fear, and why intramural theological debates shouldn't distract from the mission • The sports fandom "liturgy" at Kentucky football games versus our willingness to express awe and worship toward God • Shifting from the "Prodigal Son" to the "Prodigal Father" in Luke 15 and why God's grace is far more lavish than our sin • Reaching people in the Bible Belt who may have attended church their whole lives but have never actually "come home" to Jesus --- About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Ephesians 1 When you don't know who you are, whose you are, and what you have, you will go searching for all those answers in all the wrong places, from all the wrong people. Scott walks us through Ephesians 1 as we kick off our new series on Identity. We often default to functioning like spiritual orphans, trying to satisfy our souls through temporary pleasure, performance, or self-righteousness. But in Christ, God defines who we are as saints, claims whose we are as His adopted children, and grants us an eternal inheritance. Our Prodigal Father extends lavish grace to welcome us home.