The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

Identity: Who Am I Really?

Dr. Calvin Brown serves as a co-pastor for Destiny Church and a leadership partner for Arrow leadership, an organization dedicated to the global development of Christian leadership in a multitude of societal sectors. Though we live in a meritocracy where our value is determined by what we do, Dr. Brown challenges us to return to God in order to remind ourselves of our true identity. Through how we can relate to God as sons/daughters through Jesus's humanity, we find that the question of identity is settled by God's unconditional love for who we are and our beautiful inheritance as part of God's family.

Reimagining Revival

In this episode, Pastor Lydia and Joe conclude the "Breaking Our Spiritual Bubbles" series in a conversation about the true biblical precedent of gospel renewal. Revivals are often associated with gatherings and meetings of believers, but the question remains for what end - for just the sake of our own spiritual growth or does revival point to a fullness of even greater magnitude for the kingdom? This conversation explores how renewal unfolds through mission rather than spiritual hoarding, some hurdles and pitfalls that Christian's can fall into in their discipleship, and how this season of lent offers us the opportunity to experience fullness that is found through sharing the good news with the people that we and the Father love.

How We Can Resist Our Spiritual Bubbles (Part 3)

In part three of our "Spiritual Bubbles" series, Pastor Lydia and Joe talk through how believers can discern the power and "charismata" of the Holy Spirit and use these gifts in line with conviction, truth, and the word for their true purpose in mission. Biblically, it is evident that the miraculous signs in the gospel and mission work hand-in-hand, but for the church that is swept in the "charismania" of spirituality, we find ourselves short-sighted of the role that spiritual gifts have in the reciprocity of the gospel. This episode considers how we can keep the focus on mission in our conversations with God, restructuring our biblical literacy, and examining our mission by fruit.

Reflect and Reset

Dr. Steve A. Brown is the president of Arrow Leadership, an organization dedicated to the global development of Christian leadership within a multitude of societal sectors. With the chapter on 2020 closed, and with the new year before us, Dr. Brown extends a biblical invitation to a practice of reflecting on the circumstances and sources of grief we hope to put to rest from a highly tumultuous year. Through reflection and prayer, we are able to evoke a reminder of and thankfulness for who God is -- His character, promises, and faithfulness in our grapples with the grief, difficulties, and troubles that were faced in 2020.

Breaking Out of Our Bubble (Part 2)

In Part 2 of 180 Church's "Spiritual Bubble" series, Pastor Lydia and Joe expound on how from divine intervention, we are then equipped to break out of our spiritual bubbles and be on mission. Insularity ultimately prevents us from moving beyond our comfort zones and developing relationships with people who are earnestly in pursuit of the Father. What we can glean from this sermon is how we can transition from our idle abstractions of faith to tangible and active mission, identify the ways that God is at work through the people he placed in our lives and is calling us to, and fully embrace the adventure of the Gospel.

Explicitly Identifying our Spiritual Bubbles

In today's episode, Pastor Lydia and Joe usher in the New Year with a conversation about our spiritual bubbles. The first of a four part-series, this dialogue covers why it is important to acknowledge and grow awareness of our insularity and ideological thought bubbles. It is evident on a national scale and in our personal lives how consequential our bubbles and limited worldview can be in doing harm, misrepresentation, and polarization. It is critical for us as believers to take responsibility for, repent, and pray for divine intervention on behalf of our insularity, so that we can regain sight and pave the way for the Father's mission.

A Conversation with Dr. Francis Collins (Part 2)

Part 2 of a conversation between Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Leighton Ford, and Bishop Claude Alexander. Dr. Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D, advocates for the harmony found in the questions asked by the science and faith communities, is the Director of the National Institutes of Health, oversaw the development of Biologos Foundation, and wrote the book, “The Language of God”. This conversation includes Dr. Collins's journey from atheism to faith while immersed in the sciences, how we can reconcile faith and science which are not necessarily in conflict but can inform one another, and the implications of the efforts between faith and science in combating the COVID-19 pandemic as Christians.

A Conversation with Dr. Francis Collins (Part 1)

Part 1 of a captivating conversation with Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Leighton Ford, and Bishop Claude Alexander. Dr. Francis Collins, MD, PhD, is an advocate for finding harmony in the questions contended by both the science and faith communities. He currently holds the seat as director of the National Institutes of Health, is founder of the BioLogos Foundation, and is author of the book “The Language of God.” This conversation includes Dr. Collins’ journey from atheism to faith while traversing the sciences, his discovery that conversations of faith and of science are not in conflict with each other but actually inform one another, and the implications of faith and science as we face the COVID-19 pandemic.

Advent: Surprised by Joy

In a season when the days are short, the nights are long, and the pandemic continues to leave a trail of destruction in its wake, it seems impossible to conjure up any joy. But just as Jesus was both a man of sorrows and the Prince of Peace, true joy is inexorably intertwined with the pang of suffering. While happiness stems from an absence of pain and is derived from our surroundings, joy comes alongside our pain and is derived from Jesus. It is in our relationship with God that our deepest longing, and thus our joy, is made complete. For joy, rather than a fleeting feeling that comes at the mercy of our circumstances, is an everlasting gift that transcends our grief and sorrows and overwhelms us with praise for the One who gave it to us.

Advent: Remembering Christ in Christmas

Though the festivities and holiday cheer can invoke feelings of warmth and joy, forgetting the “Christ” in Christmas means missing out on what this day is truly about. It is about a story of an all-powerful God losing his autonomy by becoming human so that He could understand our struggles and pains, and ultimately give the gift of Himself on our behalf. To honor Jesus’ sacrifice during the holiday season is to remember that this story of hope is for all of us who need to experience the true love, joy, and peace that comes from God during these difficult times.