The Thinking Christian

Religion & Spirituality

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Thinking Reasonably Through All Things Christian

Episodes

  • To Glorify God

    How can Jesus’ suffering and death glorify God? What does this tell us about God? What does this prayer mean for us? This message was delivered on May 17, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 17:1-11

  • What’s It Going to Take?

    The episode "What’s It Going to Take?" on The Thinking Christian podcast discusses the challenge presented in John 7. It posits that this challenge is relevant not only to Jesus’ original audience but also to listeners today, prompting ref…

  • A Crisis of Faith

    This episode discusses the biblical account of two disciples on the Road to Emmaus experiencing a crisis of faith. The message, delivered at Amity UCC on April 19, 2026, suggests lessons applicable to personal faith struggles, referencing…

  • Very Early in the Morning … When the Sun Had Risen

    A message titled "Very Early in the Morning … When the Sun Had Risen" was delivered at Sunrise Service on April 05, 2026. The message is based on the text from Mark 16:1-8.

  • He Himself Knew What He Would Do

    The episode discusses the biblical account of Jesus feeding the multitude, as told in John’s gospel. It highlights a specific detail in John's version and notes the message was delivered on March 22, 2026, at First Christian Church in Some…

  • Up to Jerusalem

    This episode of The Thinking Christian discusses the ascent to Jerusalem mentioned in Mark 10. The discussion explores the meaning behind this climb, interpreting it as more than just a physical journey.

  • Yeah, But it’s Moses!

    Have you ever wondered why Peter wanted to build tabernacles for Moses, Elijah, and Jesus? In this message we will consider one possible explanation into Peter’s thinking. This message was delivered on Feb. 15, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersd…

  • Meeting by Night

    Listen in as Jesus meets with a ruler of the Jews. In this passage, Nicodemus is left with a challenge to rethink what he knows about God and the Kingdom. This message was delivered on Jan. 25, 2026 at First Christian Church in Somerset, P…

  • Come and See

    In this text, Jesus engages with His soon-to-be disciples using “open-ended” questions. This reveals something about His nature. This message was delivered on January 18, 2026 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 1:29-42

  • Lessons Learned From Philip Yancey

    This is an audio clip taken from a video that I recently released. In this podcast I will discuss briefly the “fall” of Christian author Philip Yancey and the lessons we might learn from it.

  • The Right Stuff

    In this message we hear how Joseph had “the right stuff” and are challenged to understand if we can follow the same path. This message was delivered on Dec. 21, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Matt. 1:18-25

  • Eschatology – What Role Does Israel Play?

    In this final Eschatology session we answer the question: What role does Israel play in the ‘end-times?’ To answer this question we must first define “Israel.” This session was held on Dec. 01, 2025 at First Christian Church in Somerset, P…

  • The Olivet Discourse Part II

    This is the 3rd session on Eschatology. It was presented on Nov. 24, 2025 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. In this session we finished our study of the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24), and then studied the question: is the Rapture sep…

  • God’s Profile Picture

    This message was delivered on Nov. 23, 2025 at Mt Olivet Country Church in Fairhope, PA. If God made a Facebook page for the Sermon the Mount, then the Beatitudes would be the profile picture. Text: Matt. 5:1-8

  • Eschatology – The Olivet Discourse

    This is second part in a series on Eschatology. It was presented at First Christian Church on Nov. 17, 2025. In this lecture we will begin our walk through the Olivet Discourse. Note: the recording began about ten minutes after the start o…

  • Eschatology – The Millennium

    This is the first part in a series on Eschatology. It was presented at First Christian Church on Nov. 10, 2025. Main Text: Revelation 20 My notes

  • Written on the Heart

    This message was delivered on Oct 19, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Jeremiah 31:27-44

  • The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

    This teaching was presented on Oct 18, 2025 at Somerset First Christian Church during a one-day Renewal Conference. Scripture Notes

  • Church History, Part VI

    This is the final in a series of 6 lectures on Church History. This covers major movements in the U.S. from 1800 – 2000. The lecture was given on Oct 16, 2025 at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA.

  • “What Shall I do?”

    This message was delivered on October 12, 2025 at Milford Church in Somerset, PA. Text: Luke 12:13-21

  • Church History Part V – Reformation Aftermath

    The Reformation Aftermath This is the fifth in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Oct 02, 2025. My notes

  • Church History Part IV

    This is the fourth in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Sept 25, 2025. My notes

  • God’s 401K

    Planning for the future involves more than just a savings account. This message was delivered on Sept 21, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 16:1-13

  • Church History Part III

    This is the third in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Sept 18, 2025. Please note that at around the 26 minute mark there will be a brief interruption of a…

  • The Birth of Faith

    This message was delivered on September 14, 2025 at Calvary Church of Somerset. Text: John 6:1-14

  • Church History Part II

    This is the second of a six-part lecture that I presented on Church History. It is a broad overview, roughly covering 300 AD – 500 AD. Presented September 11, 2025 My Notes.

  • Church History Part 1

    This is the first of a six-part lecture that I presented on Church History. This section will cover from the book of Acts through around 300 AD. Presented September 04, 2025 My notes

  • Party Etiquette With Jesus

    This message was delivered Aug 31, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14

  • Learning to Trust

    This message was delivered on July 06, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text Luke 10:1-11; 16-29

  • Final Thoughts

    As Jesus prepares to leave His disciples, His final words point to the coming of the Holy Spirit. This message was delivered on June 15, 2025 at Amity UCC Church in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 16:12-15

  • Broken Chains

    This message was delivered on June 01, 2025 at Amity Reformed UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Acts 16:16-34

  • Saved by Faith?

    This message was given as an impromptu sermon on May 18, 2025 at Mt Olivet Country Church of Fairhope, PA. I had planned to preach from a different text but changed when I sensed a call to preach on a different subject just minutes before…

  • How Long Do You Keep Us in Doubt?

    This message was delivered on May 11, 2025, at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 10:22-30

  • Jesus & the Elephant

    This message was delivered May 04, 2025 at Amity Reformed UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 21:1-19

  • That Donkey

    This message was preached on April 13, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 19:28-40

  • Extravagant Worship

    This message was delivered on April 06, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 12:1-8

  • Longing for Redemption

    This message was delivered March 30, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 15:1-3; 11b -32

  • The Galilean Massacre and You

    This message was delivered March 23, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA Text: Luke 13:1-9

  • Temptation’s Power Over Us

    This message was delivered on March 09, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 4:1-3

  • Getting Slapped on Both Cheeks

    This message was delivered on Feb 23, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 6:27-38 (see also Matt 5:38-48) See also Dirk Willems.

  • The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

    This message was delivered on Feb 16, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 6:17-26

  • Offensive Preaching

    This message was delivered on Jan 26, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 4:14-21

  • The Family Photo Album of Acts

    This message was delivered on Jan 12, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Acts 8:14-17

  • Christmas Comes to These

    This message is dedicated to anyone who is struggling with Christmas. It was presented on Dec 22, 2024 at Mt Olivet Country Church Christmas Candlelight Service. Text: various

  • Offended? Repent!

    This message was delivered on Dec 15, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 3:7-18

  • When Christmas Becomes Icky Goo

    This message was delivered on Dec 01, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA Text: Luke 21:25-36

  • Jesus: First or Last?

    This message was delivered Nov. 24, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 18:33-27

  • The Pharisaic Weakness – A Widow’s Strength

    This message was delivered on Nov 10, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 12:28-44

  • Bearing the Image of God

    This message was delivered on Nov 03, 2024 at Mt. Olivet Community Church. Text Mark 12:13-17

  • History of the Protestant Reformation

    This message was delivered on Oct 27, 2024, at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Notes: Reference Notes