Focused on Christ

Ep. 154 - While we were still sinners…

In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 5, a chapter that Mike credits with revolutionizing his understanding of the Gospel. They explore the profound shift from a legalistic, performance-based faith to a life grounded in the unassailable security of Christ’s work.Key Discussion Points:Peace and Access: Discover how justification provides both judicial peace (legal standing before God) and relational peace, granting us bold access to the Father.Purpose in Suffering: Why does Paul link salvation to suffering? The duo discusses how our security in Christ allows us to rejoice in trials, knowing God is using them to produce endurance, character, and hope.The Two Adams: Nathan breaks down the "linguistic density" of Paul’s comparison between Adam and Christ. If one man’s sin could bring death to all, how much more can the infinite Son of God bring eternal life?.God’s Initiating Love: A powerful reminder that God is moved by His love for us, not our love for Him. He went to the cross while we were still "scoundrels" and enemies in active rebellion."Salvation that is bound up in our nature sounds like you, you, you... Salvation that is bound up in the nature of Christ and God sounds like he, he, he." About Focused on ChristFocused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church, dedicated to exalting Christ and equipping the church.Connect with us:Watch past shows: focusedonchrist.com Submit questions: focusedonchrist.com Next Week: We tackle the big question from Romans 6: "Can we continue in sin so that grace may abound?".

Ep 153 - What Does it Mean to “Live by Faith”?

What is the relationship between faith, the law, and our standing before God? In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 4 to explore the "redemptive arc of history" and how the Old Testament substantiates our New Covenant realities.Using the life of Abraham as a foundational case study, we discuss why Paul points back to the patriarch to explain justification. We examine the crucial distinction between living by the law and living by faith, and how God’s grace is woven through both.In this episode, we discuss:The Progenitor of Faith: Why Abraham’s justification occurred before the law and circumcision were ever given.Justification Defined: Understanding our legal standing and identity as being "declared righteous" through faith.Law vs. Grace: Why the law is actually a gift of grace meant to point us away from ourselves and back to God.Lessons from Abraham’s Potholes: How to handle moments of wavering faith and the hope found in God’s steadfast promises.Our Greater Revelation: The comfort of knowing that the same God who worked through Abraham’s "shadow" revelation now works through the full revelation of Jesus Christ.Connect with Us:Visit our website: focusedonchrist.com to submit your questions for future episodes.Read Ahead: Next week, we’ll be diving into one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible: Romans 5.About Focused on Christ:A ministry of @HeritageBaptistChurch dedicated to exalting Christ and equipping the church.______0:00 – Introduction and the continuity of the Old and New Testaments.1:15 – Context: Justification by faith in Romans 3.3:00 – Abraham: The progenitor who entered relationship with God by faith.5:30 – Defining Faith: Believing what God has revealed.8:00 – Circumcision as a seal, not a source, of righteousness.10:45 – Living by Faith vs. Living by Law: Avoiding legalism and antinomianism.13:20 – How the Law acts as a gift of grace.15:15 – Reconciliation through faith vs. Justice through the law.17:40 – Handling moments of wavering faith and Abraham’s "potholes".20:10 – Closing: The comfort of our greater revelation in Christ.

Ep 152: The Trinity & The Human Soul | Focused on Christ

In this mailbag episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive deep into the "glorious mysteries" of Christian theology. From the internal relationships of the Trinity to the complex makeup of the human soul, we tackle listener questions with biblical depth and practical wisdom.

• The Trinity & Prayer: Does God the Father ever pray to the Son?. Nathan breaks down the relationship within the Godhead, explaining the context of Hebrews 1:8 and the normative way Christians are called to pray: to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Spirit.

  
  

• Praying to the Holy Spirit: Is it "wrong" to address the Spirit directly?. We explore how understanding the different roles of the Godhead can enrich your prayer life beyond a singular address.

  
  

• The Anatomy of the Soul: Are humans made of two parts or three?. Nathan explains the dichotomous vs. trichotomous views, arguing for the biblical unity of our "immaterial" being (soul/spirit) and our "material" being (body).

  
  

• The Battle with Sin (Romans 7): How do we distinguish between our new identity in Christ and the "sin living in me"?. We discuss the reality of remaining sin in the believer’s life and the responsibility to not let it master us.

  
  

• Peacemaking & Self-Defense: How do we balance being non-violent kingdom-seekers with the duty to protect our families and churches?. Nathan shares a powerful story of "drowning out" protesters with worship and discusses the sanctity of life—even the life of an enemy.

"The way sanctification works is that you realize that you are a sinner. And the more holy you become, the more you realize of a sinner you are... but the amazing glory of the gospel eclipses it still." — Pastor Nathan Smith

• Read Along: To prepare for next week, read Romans 1 through 5.

• Learn More: Nathan recommends Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves and Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware.

• Visit Us: Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church.

In This Episode, We Discuss:Key Quote:Next Steps: