The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

How Ugly We Get With a Thorn In Our Side

In his letters to the Corinthians, Paul warns the church against letting the thorns in our side go unchecked. These "thorns," such as insecurities or things that trigger our anger, can lead to pride, a superiority complex, and ultimately the destruction of our relationships. Instead of giving in to our thorns, Paul shows us that admitting our insufficiency allows us to truly accept God's grace and strength. Even though it may feel offensive to acknowledge our own weakness, it is in doing so that we become testaments to God's character and the power of community.

Why You Really Shouldn't Go to Bed Angry.

Anger can destroy relationships. Many instances of abuse and misunderstanding result from us internalizing our anger rather than resolving it with those around us. In Ephesians 4, Paul urges us to resolve our anger before the day ends. Anger is based on judgment and righteousness, and when we choose to be slow to anger, we can better assess why we are angry. However, allowing our anger to surpass the day deteriorates the accuracy of our judgment. Human memory is fallible, and unresolved anger centers righteousness on our faulty selves rather than the true reason for conflict.

The Great Danger of Psychologizing Our Anger

Anger is dangerous. When we get angry, we may hurt others and damage relationships, whether it's through bitterness, passive aggressiveness, verbal abuse, or violence. We can't control our anger, but we can respond to it better. This starts from admitting that we are responsible for our anger, and that, as Paul warns us in Ephesians, anger can lead to sin. Then, after recognizing this as a concern, we can turn to the Lord to find healing and peace. 

Resilient (Session 2)

This Sunday’s remote service continues the series on resilience by renowned Christian author and counselor John Eldredge. In this session, Eldredge defines resilience as the dividing line between those who overcome the challenges of a Christian life and those who do not. He describes the times we live in as dangerous, making it easy to feel discouraged. However, to build resilience, Jesus offers himself as a resource to dwell within us, give us a new heart, and remind us of God’s glory and splendor.

Resilient

This Sunday’s remote service welcomes renowned Christian author and counselor, John Eldredge. On the topic of resilience, John invites us to look to the parable of the ten bridesmaids so we can learn to develop a practice of tapping into a reserve of strength that comes only from the Father. In the relentless madness of our times, though we rally over and over, there may come a time when we hit a wall and have nothing left to give. When we are fully depleted, it is important for us to come back to Christ to be restored in our strength, and return to the Father’s heart that breathes life into His children.

Battling Spiritual Fog

Many of us who grew up in the relative peace of 21st-century Western society are often naive and ill-prepared when faced with the realities of war. This is just as true when it comes to spiritual warfare. We become easily discouraged and fall into the trap of asking why, instead of donning the armor of God and fighting against the enemy's treachery with truth and faith. The reality is that there is an ongoing spiritual battle, and we must learn to expect the enemy's schemes to sabotage God's good work. But the good news is that although resistance is inevitable in this world, Jesus tells us to take heart, for He has overcome the world.

How the Psalms help us make sense of the various seasons in our lives.

Life is of battles and blessings. Whether you’re in either season, it may feel like no end is in sight. Psalm embraces some of David’s darkest emotions in his battles. Yet, as God was with David in his valley, He is with us. If we feel we’re in a valley this season, God is there, will walk with us, and will not leave us broken. It’s an opportunity to become more whole, in community, and under God’s leadership. Other times, we may be on our hills, feel absolutely sated, and without want. This can lead us down the wrong path where we feel like we’re better than others. David experienced his cycles of his hills and valleys, but never gloated and boasted in himself. Whether a battle or blessing, how do we remember worship and humility? In either place, we need look up to God and to others in moderation, community, and grace.

Feast of Weeks

In the season of Pentecost, we commemorate the gift of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles. It was an event that the prophets, revered representatives of God to the people, had foretold centuries ago. That was, however, not all they had foretold, for there was also an invitation to call on the Lord to be saved. The Lord would be the one who triumphs over death and ascends to heaven, and it is revealed through the resurrection that Jesus is Lord. This season, then, let us focus on Jesus, and let him lead our lives.

Exploring the really annoying sins of allegedly "good people.”

When we talk about sin, we can be quick to think about the blatant moral failures that are easy to spot. However, certain sins aren’t so behaviorally obvious, and often lie undetected beneath the surface of the lives of “good” people. Hubris, self-righteousness, and smugness can inflict untold damage to the relationships around us. But how can we fight against sin that goes unseen and without accountability to correct it? The saving grace of the gospel is that where we lack the eyes to see the hubris that crowds out love, the community of God can restore our hearts by encouraging contriteness and humility, so that our righteousness can be measured by our capacity to love rather than our right-ness.

How can we learn to love as Jesus loved, in a world that desperately needs it?

In the Gospel of John, Jesus imparts pivotal instructions on loving one another, emphasizing the necessity of mirroring his own love. Through encounters like that with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus courageously delves into sensitive topics, illustrating a love that surpasses societal barriers. Likewise, in the poignant story of the adulterous woman, Jesus combines truth-telling with forgiveness, demonstrating a harmonious blend of justice and mercy. His vulnerability and selfless acts, such as comforting Lazarus's sisters, alongside his humble example of washing the disciples' feet during the last supper, stand as powerful demonstrations of love in action, providing a guiding light for navigating a world hungering for compassion and empathy.