The 180 Church Podcast with Dr. Sammy and Friends

Is Biblical Accountability Really Possible In an Age of Ghosting and Gaslighting?

There’s Something That Needs To Be Said About The Power Of Faithfulness!

Most of us will never have monuments or legacies erected after us, and we will easily be forgotten. However, for the few who matter most to us, they will measure our life not by our greatness, but by our faithfulness—to them, to community, and to God. Galatians tells us not to grow weary of doing good, and that much is to be harvested as a result of our faithfulness. The harvest is found in serving the church and inspiring younger generations—whether our children or our mentees—to love and glorify God. For those struggling to do good or be faithful, as Paul calls us to in Galatians, do not be weary, for if we do not give up we will reap the harvest.

The Continuing Story After Easter

After Jesus died, the disciples did not recognize that this was not the end. In fact, it was not until Jesus rose and appeared before them that the disciples realized this was just the beginning of an amazing story of redemption. In the same way, we too are part of that story, whether we recognize it or not. We have a supporting role in that story, and through our experiences, through triumph and hardship, God is preparing us for that role. Indeed, even in our darkest times, we can rest assured that God is with us all along the way.

삐졌어 / Bbijeosseo

“After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas reacts with anger, demanding tangible proof of Jesus’ wounds before he believes. Feeling left out and skeptical, Thomas voices his frustration, but Jesus later appears and invites him to touch his wounds, resolving Thomas’ doubts. Through this encounter, Thomas realizes the truth of Jesus’ resurrection and acknowledges him as Lord. This narrative highlights the theme of faith amidst doubt, emphasizing that it’s not about Jesus asking us to blindly accept everything he says, but rather an invitation to see for ourselves.”

While It Was Still Dark

Easter is the day in the Christian tradition by which the resurrection of Christ, after his crucifixion, marked the single defining event of the faith. Where in contemporary times Easter could appear to be a celebratory pronunciation of faith, this tradition didn’t begin with robust belief, but rather, incessant doubt. In fact, the Easter miracle was met with raised eyebrows and skepticism from those who couldn’t believe this day would ever come. What we learn from the first disciples, is that God doesn’t wait for us to come to him in darkness and amidst doubt, but brings his great love to us. The good news is that he has risen while it was still dark.

Turning to God In Our Transitions

Palm Sunday, the day Jesus was celebrated upon arrival in Jerusalem, commences the most significant transition of Jesus' life: his journey to the cross. Unlike Jesus, we are not privy to the details of how our life's transitions will play out, and perhaps that is God's blessing. Throughout his life, Jesus knew of the suffering he would face on the cross, and he still chose to turn to the Father with his anguish, sorrow, and fear, and surrender to His will. Even fully understanding his impending crucifixion, Jesus modeled practicing faith to move forward in times of anxiety and uncertainty, to trust that God is working in our lives and that He will bestow crowns of beauty for ashes.

Lent: Exploring an Obedience Even Unto Death.

In our darkest times, how do we resist temptation and hold steadfast to God's will? Jesus offers us the answer. When Satan tempted him with food while he was starving, Jesus did not give in, but rather took courage from scripture. When Satan tempted him with glory on Earth, Jesus did not listen, but hearkened back to the prophets before him, who found greater glory in God. Similarly, when we are deluged with difficulties and drowning in despair, we can turn to scripture, and rest assured that we are not alone, that many others have suffered, but kept to God's will, and reaped the greatest reward in the end.

How 40 Days Could Save You 40 Years!

Forty days of giving up an area of sinful reliance in Lent can save us our forty years in the desert. In Matthew 4, the Spirit leading Jesus into the wilderness to be tested is the same test that the Israelites faced in their 40 years wandering the desert. Hebrews 3 reinforces this idea—Lent is to show the areas of resistance in our lives to God’s leadership. As Christians, we’re meant to live a transcending purpose beyond a story of being stuck and turned away from the Promised Land like the Israelites. The Israelites failed by incessantly questioning God’s leadership; not even raining down manna, running water from rocks, or sending quail convinced them out of their own way. Jesus, in contrast, submitted to God’s sovereignty by fasting even in the face of temptation, and even at the height of his plight without a clear sight out. Lent is meant to accentuate and shorten our resistance with God, so what areas of our lives are we still resisting God’s leadership?

LENT 2024: Feasting

Throughout scripture, fasting is prevalently mentioned as a response to God’s call. Whether it is revelatory by nature, a call towards repentance, or a season of lament, we are often called to a time of fasting and prayer to declare our human frailty and express our dependence on God. The discipline of fasting is an invitation for the Father to move in our lives, to lay down our default modes and to submit our whole selves to God’s call.

Realigning Our View of Fasting

Fasting is a spiritual practice of temporarily giving something up to reconnect with God, following Jesus' example of sacrificing earthly pleasures to prioritize God's presence. Though fasting is challenging, the focus is not denying oneself but deepening reliance on God by replacing mundane activities with spiritual disciplines. Even our failures in fasting can draw us closer to Christ, as we remember His sacrificial suffering and our continual need for Him as the author and perfector of faith. The ultimate goal of fasting is not avoiding bad things but feasting on the goodness of God's presence.