Marked by Grace

Can the devil hear our prayers when we pray out loud? Does sharing our struggles make us vulnerable to spiritual attack? Pastor Heath Lambert addresses this fascinating question with biblical wisdom about prayer, spiritual warfare, and the power of praying together.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and the question1:01 - The answer: Sure, it's possible1:17 - 1 Peter 5:8: The devil prowls around2:27 - The devil is not omnipresent3:05 - More than just an answer is needed3:38 - Don't let fear stop you from praying3:55 - 1 Peter 5:7: Cast your anxieties on Jesus4:26 - Understanding watchfulness vs. anxiety5:11 - The biblical command to pray out loud5:41 - James 5:16: Confess and pray together6:11 - Personal story: Accountability partner's concern7:28 - The Bible never warns against praying out loud7:44 - The power of prayer outweighs the risk8:02 - Trust God, not fear of the devilKey TopicsThe Prowling Devil - Understanding Satan's limited but real presence on earthSatan's Limitations - Why the devil is not omnipresent like GodThe Real Risk - Yes, demons could potentially overhear prayersThe Greater Command - Why fear of Satan must not override biblical commands to prayCasting Anxiety on Jesus - 1 Peter 5:7 as the context for spiritual warfareThe James 5:16 Command - Why we must confess sins and pray together out loudWatchfulness vs. Fear - The difference between being sober-minded and being anxiousThe Power of Prayer - Why prayer strengthens us far more than it exposes usPersonal Story - A real-life encounter with this very concernScripture References1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all anxieties on Jesus1 Peter 5:8 - The devil prowls around like a roaring lionJames 5:16 - Confess sins and pray for one anotherJob 1-2 - Satan moving to and fro on the earthAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" is now available. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

When Jesus said "some standing here will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God," what did He mean? Pastor Heath Lambert unpacks this challenging passage and reveals why the kingdom isn't just a future event - it's a present spiritual reality you can enter today.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and the question0:47 - Reading Luke 9:271:37 - Why this passage is so confusing2:25 - Common interpretations: Future events2:56 - Pentecost, resurrection, crucifixion, transfiguration theories4:13 - A different approach: Kingdom as present reality4:38 - Luke 10:9-11: The kingdom has come near5:10 - Luke 11:20: The kingdom in Jesus's miracles5:43 - Luke 16:16: Entering the preached kingdom6:09 - Luke 17:21: The kingdom in your midst6:33 - Luke 18:16: Children and the kingdom6:47 - What the kingdom of God actually is7:45 - How to enter the kingdom right now8:15 - The disciples experienced it when they believedKey Topics The Confusing Statement - Why Jesus's words about not tasting death puzzle readersThe Future Event Problem - Why viewing the kingdom as only future creates difficultiesMultiple Kingdom Theories - Pentecost, resurrection, crucifixion, and transfiguration interpretationsKingdom as Present Reality - How Luke's Gospel presents the kingdom as here and nowFive Key Kingdom Passages - Luke 10, 11, 16, 17, and 18 revealing the kingdom's natureThe Kingdom Definition - A spiritual realm where God is in charge and seen to be in chargeInhabiting the Kingdom - How people enter through repentance and faith in ChristAlready and Not Yet - The kingdom is present now but comes in fullness in the new heavens and earthChildlike Faith - How to enter the kingdom today through trusting JesusScripture ReferencesLuke 9:27 - Jesus's statement about seeing the kingdomLuke 10:9-11 - The kingdom has come nearLuke 11:20 - The kingdom comes through Jesus's miraclesLuke 16:16 - The kingdom is preached and enteredLuke 17:21 - The kingdom in your midstLuke 18:16 - Children and the kingdom of GodAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" is now available. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Should Christians be ambitious at work? Pastor Heath Lambert provides a nuanced biblical answer: Usually no, ambition is good - but it depends on your motivation and life balance. Discover when ambition honors God and when it becomes sinful.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and the question0:40 - The usual answer: No, ambition is not bad1:01 - Why hard work and excellence matter1:29 - Working for Jesus, not just human bosses (Colossians 3:23)2:14 - Most people need more ambition, not less3:02 - But sometimes the answer is yes3:27 - When ambition is bad: Wrong motivation3:55 - The pride problem - building your own kingdom4:25 - When ambition is bad: Life out of balance4:46 - The lack of love problem5:15 - Multiple responsibilities beyond work6:22 - Final answer: Usually good, but can be sinfulKey Topics CoveredBiblical Work Ethic - Why Christians should pursue excellence and hard workWorking for Jesus - Understanding Christ as your ultimate boss in any jobThe Modern Problem - Why most people need more ambition, not lessTwo Warning Signs of Bad Ambition - Pride in motivation and imbalance in lifeThe Pride Test - Are you building your kingdom or serving Christ?The Love Test - Are you neglecting family, church, and other relationships?Multiple Callings - Balancing work with family, church, and community responsibilitiesWisdom in Work - How to be ambitious while remaining faithful in all areasScripture ReferencesColossians 3:23 - Working heartily for the Lord, not for menAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" is now available. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsLike this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how you balance work ambition with other life responsibilities.Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Pastor Heath Lambert tackles a painful but important question about sexual purity and marriage. His answer may surprise you: Yes, virginity is required, but there's something even more important - repentance and God's mercy.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and the question0:43 - Understanding the pain behind this question2:07 - The clear biblical answer: Yes, virginity is required2:34 - Genesis 2:24-25 and the creation design for marriage3:40 - Sexual exclusivity in marriage4:18 - But there's more to say4:48 - A more important requirement: Repentance (Proverbs 28:13)5:24 - Two options for responding to sin6:02 - The path of concealment leads to death6:16 - The path of confession and forsaking leads to mercy6:46 - Multiple requirements for marriage7:23 - Final answer: Virginity required, but mercy availableKey Topics CoveredThe Biblical Standard - What Genesis teaches about sexual purity and marriage designSexual Exclusivity - Understanding the "one flesh" union and its boundariesThe Painful Reality - Addressing sexual sin in the past with sensitivityThe Greater Requirement - Why repentance matters even more than virginityTwo Paths for Sinners - Concealment leads to death, confession leads to mercyThe Gospel Hope - How Jesus makes forgiveness and restoration possibleViewing Others with Mercy - How to evaluate a potential spouse with a sexual pastUniversal Sinfulness - Why all of us fall short and need God's graceScripture ReferencesGenesis 2:24-25 - God's design for marriage and sexual unionProverbs 28:13 - Concealing vs. confessing transgressionsRomans 3:23 - All have sinned and fall short of God's gloryAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" is now available. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsLike this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how the gospel brings both truth and mercy to difficult situations.Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Is scrolling through social media on company time a violation of the eighth commandment? Pastor Heath Lambert addresses this practical workplace ethics question with biblical wisdom, revealing why the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and the question0:21 - Book announcement: The Ten Commandments1:03 - Three foundational realities of the question1:26 - The eighth commandment: You shall not steal2:23 - Why this question is complicated2:54 - The impossibility of 100% productivity4:10 - Four considerations for workplace ethics4:23 - Consideration 1: Work heartily for the Lord (Colossians 3:23)5:23 - Consideration 2: Never cross your conscience (Romans 14:23)6:28 - Consideration 3: Understand your job performance evaluation8:13 - Consideration 4: Live openly, don't conceal8:37 - Final answer: A framework for ethical workKey Topics Covered- The Eighth Commandment Foundation - Understanding what "You shall not steal" means for employee-employer relationships- The Three Realities - Time, money, and the exchange that creates the ethical question- Time Theft vs. Reality - Why perfect productivity is impossible yet stealing is still real- Working for Jesus First - How viewing Christ as your ultimate boss changes everything- The Conscience Principle - Why subjective conviction matters even in gray areas- Job Performance Standards - Understanding how different roles require different evaluations- Openness vs. Concealment - Why hiding behavior reveals dishonestyScripture ReferencesExodus 20:15 - The Eighth Commandment against stealingColossians 3:23 - Working heartily for the Lord, not for menRomans 14:23 - Whatever does not proceed from faith is sinAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" is now available. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family. Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

They dive into the morality of white lies, revealing how even small untruths can violate the ninth commandment. Pastor Heath Lambert defines what constitutes a lie and shares insights from the story of Ananias and Sapphira, emphasizing the seriousness of dishonesty. The discussion highlights common motivations for telling white lies, such as relational pressure, and offers truthful alternatives for navigating tricky situations. Ultimately, the message is clear: all lies, regardless of size, are wrong.

Heath Lambert addresses one of the most critical moral questions of our time: Does abortion violate the sixth commandment against murder? Using biblical and scientific evidence, he provides a clear three-part framework for understanding why the answer is yes.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and book release celebration1:47 - The question: Does abortion count as murder?2:14 - The sixth commandment (Exodus 20:13)2:42 - Why this explanation matters in today's culture3:11 - Three ingredients to the answer3:17 - Ingredient 1: The nature of murder defined4:53 - Ingredient 2: The nature of babies (biblical and scientific)6:03 - Ingredient 3: The nature of abortion7:08 - Final answer: Yes, abortion is murderKey Topics Covered- The Sixth Commandment Foundation - Understanding what "You shall not murder" means biblically- Defining Murder Precisely - Why intentional, innocent, and human are all crucial terms- Biblical Evidence for Human Life - What Scripture teaches about life at conception- Scientific Reality - How biology confirms human life begins at fertilization- Self-Defense and Capital Punishment - Why not all killing constitutes murder- Cultural Deception - Addressing claims that abortion can be a Christian position- The Moral Clarity Christians Need - Why believers must understand and articulate this truthScripture ReferencesExodus 20:13 - The Sixth Commandment against murderPsalm 51:5 - David's acknowledgment of life at conceptionAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" has been released. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family. Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Is it okay for kids to tease their parents? Pastor Heath Lambert tackles this intriguing question by examining what the fifth commandment teaches about honoring parents while still enjoying family humor. His answer might surprise you: "It depends."Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and book release announcement (September 30th)1:36 - The question: Can I make fun of my parents?2:14 - The fifth commandment challenge (Exodus 20:12)2:54 - The careful answer: "It depends"3:18 - Scenario 1: Mutual enjoyment and family fun4:58 - Pastor Lambert's family example5:33 - Scenario 2: Good intentions but hurt feelings6:45 - The "if you're the only one laughing, you're wrong" rule7:43 - Scenario 3: Making fun with malicious intent8:25 - What dishonoring parents actually means9:03 - Final answer: Honor with healthy humorKey Topics Covered- The Fifth Commandment Foundation - Understanding what it means to honor father and mother- Three Scenarios for Family Humor - When teasing is healthy vs. when it crosses the line- Intent vs. Impact - Why good intentions don't always excuse hurtful humor- Family Communication - How to navigate humor when feelings get hurt- The Dishonor Line - Distinguishing between loving laughter and belittling behavior- Healthy Family Relationships - Building joy and closeness while maintaining respectScripture ReferencesExodus 20:12 - The Fifth Commandment about honoring parentsAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" releases September 30th. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Pre-order and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Many Christians casually refer to Sunday as "the Sabbath day," but is this biblically accurate? Pastor Heath Lambert examines what Scripture actually teaches about the Sabbath and reveals why this common assumption needs correction.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and physical book reveal1:36 - The question: Is Sunday the Sabbath day?2:50 - Why we need Scripture to answer this question3:04 - The fourth commandment and Sabbath timing (Exodus 20)3:24 - The Sabbath is on the seventh day (Saturday)4:02 - Roman influence on day names4:40 - God's rest on the seventh day4:55 - New Testament worship patterns5:20 - What the New Testament calls Sunday5:36 - The "Lord's Day" in Revelation 1:106:04 - Final answer: Sunday is not the SabbathKey Topics Covered- The Fourth Commandment Foundation - Understanding what Exodus 20 teaches about Sabbath timing- Biblical Day Counting - How the seven-day week originates from Scripture- Historical Context - Roman influence on modern day names and Saturday's etymology- Old Testament vs. New Testament - The shift from Sabbath worship to first-day worship- Terminology Matters - Why the New Testament uses "Lord's Day" instead of "Sabbath" for Sunday- Common Christian Mistake - Why pastors and authors incorrectly use "Sabbath" for SundayScripture ReferencesExodus 20:8-11 - The Fourth Commandment and Sabbath dayRevelation 1:10 - The Lord's Day referenceActs and 1 Corinthians - New Testament worship patternsAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book, "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People," releases September 30th. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Pre-order and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Many Christians assume the third commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain," is primarily about using bad language. But Pastor Heath Lambert reveals the deeper biblical meaning behind this sacred command and explains why it's about much more than cursing.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and new book announcement1:55 - The question: Is the third commandment about cursing?2:09 - What the third commandment actually says (Exodus 20:7)2:40 - Common misconceptions about breaking this commandment3:07 - The real meaning: misusing God's name vs cursing3:39 - Why the third commandment is primarily about something deeper4:13 - Biblical view on cursing and foul language (Ephesians 5:4)4:54 - Multiple ways to violate the third commandmentKey Topics Covered- The Text of the Third Commandment - Understanding what Exodus 20:7 actually teaches about God's name- Common Misunderstanding - Why many people think this commandment is only about profanity- The Real Issue: Vain Use of God's Name - How we empty God's name of its intrinsic weight and importance- Cursing and the Bible - What Scripture teaches about foul language and crude talk- Multiple Violations - The many ways people can misuse God's sacred name beyond profanity- Proper Reverence - How to honor God's name in our daily speech and worshipScripture ReferencesExodus 20:7 - The Third CommandmentEphesians 5:4 - Instructions about speech and crude talkAbout The Ten Commandments BookHeath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" releases September 30th. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.Pre-order the book or get your free download of the first chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandmentsHave a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com