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:

In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the challenging yet deeply encouraging truths of Romans 3. Often referred to as an "assault on the ego," this chapter provides a sobering look at the depth of human depravity while preparing us for the extraordinary gift of God's grace.

• The Mirror of Depravity: Why understanding that "no one is good" is essential for truly seeing the beauty of Jesus.

  
  

• The Jewish Dilemma: Paul addresses the insufficiency of religious activity and circumcision, arguing that true circumcision is an inward reality of faith.

  
  

• The Indictment of Humanity: A breakdown of verses 10–18 and what it means to be "under sin," highlighting that no one truly seeks God on their own.

  
  

• "But Now": Exploring the "logical contrastive" in verse 21 that changes everything—how an "alien righteousness" from outside ourselves is credited to us through faith in Jesus Christ.

  
  

• The End of Boasting: Why the law of faith excludes all human pride and leaves us solely with the grace of God.

  
  

"The difficult part of [Romans 3] is that it just really puts a mirror in front of us and says, take heart, you're worse than you think you are." — Pastor Nathan Smith

"The more that [Paul] grew in appreciation for God's grace, the more that he grew to realize and despise remaining sin." — Mike Crump

• Read Along: Romans 3:1–31

• Visit Our Website: Find more episodes and resources at FocusedOnChrist.com

• Next Week: Tune in for our first "Mailbag Show" where we answer your questions on the Trinity, prayer, and even self-defense!

Romans 2: God Knows Your Secrets | Focused on Christ Ep. 150

In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive deep into the first half of Romans chapter 2. Building on the previous discussion regarding God's judicial wrath in chapter 1, they explore Paul’s sobering warning to those who feel they are "outwardly moral" but are actually under the same judgment as the rest of humanity.In This Episode, We Discuss:The "Therefore" of Romans 2: Why passing judgment on others actually condemns the judge, revealing a heart that practices the same sins under a veneer of morality.The Hypocrisy of the Religious: How many people presume upon God’s kindness and patience to continue in sin, failing to realize that His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance.The Two Types of Wrath: A breakdown of the Greek terms Orge (settled judicial wrath) and Thumas (flowing, emotional fury) and why God holds a particular indignation for religious hypocrisy.The Law Written on the Heart: How even those without the formal Law of Moses are accountable because God has inscribed a moral framework within every human conscience.True Circumcision: Paul’s pivot to his Jewish brothers, explaining that being right with God is not about outward rituals or physical ancestry, but a matter of the heart and the Spirit.Key Quote:"Everything within us is screaming that there's something not right. And that's the argument that Paul is making... we're out of sync with God and we need someone to do what we cannot do." Next Week: We will be jumping deep into the "Total Depravity" of man as described in Romans 3. We encourage you to read the chapter in preparation for our next conversation.Connect With Us:Website: focusedonchrist.com Ministry: Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church.

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike Crump and Dr. Nathan Smith begin a new year-long journey through the Epistles, starting with a deep dive into the Book of Romans.

Together, they explore the profound context of Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome and the foundational truths of the Gospel.

In This Episode:

• The Power of Paul’s Writing: Discover why the Apostle Paul’s letters are unique in their theological weight and how he connects Old Testament completion to the person of Christ. The Thesis of Romans: We examine Paul’s "thesis statement" in Romans 1:16-17, exploring the declaration that "the righteous shall live by faith" and what it means to be unashamed of the Gospel.
• Understanding General Revelation: Learn how God reveals His eternal power and divine nature through creation, leaving humanity "without excuse" before Him.
• The Reality of God’s Wrath: Dr. Smith breaks down the "settled judicial wrath" of God against ungodliness and the sobering reality of what happens when God "gives us up" to our own sinful desires.
• Grace vs. Rebellion: A discussion on the biblical tension between man’s responsibility for sin and God’s sovereign grace in salvation.

Key Scripture:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." — Romans 1:16

Connect With Us:

Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church. Website: focusedonchrist.com

Next Week: Join us as we move into Romans 2 to discuss the purpose of God's Law.

This year Pastors Mike and Nathan will walk through some of Paul's letters, including Romans, 1 Corinthians, and Ephesians. Don't miss an episode! Subscribe today! focusedonchrist.com

The Crucifixion of Jesus: Why the Cross Matters at Christmas

Join hosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith as they turn their attention from the birth of Jesus to the profound significance of the Cross, even during the Christmas season. Discover why Jesus's entire life, from the Incarnation to the Ascension, must be kept in mind to see the fullness of the gospel.

In this powerful episode, we delve into the three parts of the crucifixion narrative:

1. The Humiliation of the Son of God (Matthew 27:27-31)

Reflect on the shocking restraint of Jesus—the "infinite, raw, consuming holiness and omnipotent universe creating power"—as He was mocked, stripped, beaten, and crowned with thorns by Roman soldiers.

Understand the massive significance of the Incarnation: Jesus took on human flesh specifically to give His flesh in our place on the cross.

2. The Crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:17-22)

Explore the setting of Golgotha, the "place of a skull," where Jesus was crucified outside the city walls between two criminals.

Discuss the political tension surrounding Pilate's inscription: "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," which fulfilled the prophecy that He is the promised Messiah.

Realize that Jesus's life was not taken from Him; He willfully laid it down, humbling himself to die a sinner's death for the forgiveness of sins.

3. The Death of the Messiah (Matthew 27:45-54)

Unpack the theological mystery of Jesus crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?". The divine communion was temporarily severed because Christ had become sin for sinners, but He did not cease to be God.

Learn the meaning of the darkness and earthquake, which were emblematic of God's wrath and fulfilled the prophetic "day of the Lord".

Examine the significance of the temple curtain being torn in two, representing that access into the Holy of Holies and to the throne of grace is now freely available through Christ's work.

See the resurrection of the saints after Christ's death as a prophetic "teaser" that resurrection will come through Christ for all who are in favor with God.

Why is the Cross essential for Christians today? Because it is at the cross that the wrath of God is satisfied, and believers receive His righteousness and reconciliation with God.

Next Week: We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus to propel us into 2026 with a great deal of hope.

Find clips and more at focusedonchrist.com.