Resident Strangers

Merry Christmas from us at Resident Strangers! This will be the last episode of 2023. But don't worry! Steve, Rich and Sarah will be back in January 2024 with some great episodes to kick off the new year. Christmas Day will be here before we know it and in this episode Steve and Rich encourage everyone not to miss the importance of Christmas in that it is when Jesus came for us. If you think about it, so many aspects of the secular parts of Christmas actually do point back to Christ. We see it in songs, the act of giving gifts, etc. But how should a Christian respond to the secular aspects of Christmas? How can we leverage Christmas for the sake of the Gospel? Multiple viewpoints are discussed and similar to our Halloween episode the hosts do not all agree! What is agreed upon is that Jesus is the reason for the season, and we do not want to miss the opportunity to share the Gospel during this time of year. Steve encourages us that if we as Christians become known more for what we're against rather than what we're for then we're missing the spirit of Christ in Christmas. Afterall, Jesus was known for having grace and encouraging a relationship with God. Let's all live like Jesus this Christmas. We have enjoyed sharing these episodes with you each week and we look forward to being back with you next year!Who Is Jesus? Episode 8 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SJTOReRCLP6xnFEJQ4QgL?si=46d1f2c647ef4fb6*available wherever you listen to podcastsAdvent Bible Studies - https://shereadstruth.com, https://hereadstruth.comSteve's favorite Christmas song, "Reaching" by The Gaither Vocal Band - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lnqHCIwFDMSarah's favorite Christmas song, "When My Heart Finds Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToOcKT5jYrwChristmas Eve at Desert Springs Community ChurchDecember 23rd at 5:00pmDecember 24th at 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am (Spanish translation available) + 5:00pm14440 W. Indian School Rd. Goodyear, AZ 85395Questions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us in January 2024 as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Steve and Rich are back to it this week talking about the ascension. This is a very theologically significant event. The first thing that is significant about the ascension is the fact that His work in salvation was completed. The ascension also reminds us that heaven is a place - Jesus had to go somewhere! The future hope provided through the atonement is seen through this. Furthermore, the ascension points ahead to Jesus' final work when He returns. The spirit indwelling in Christ followers was brought about by this event. His mercy and grace was extended to us. Jesus' public display of victory does not just include the resurrection - it also includes the ascension. He not only came out of the tomb, but He visibly and bodily ascended to heaven. He is the Lord and victor. Certainly a significant event! You will have a deeper appreciation for the ascension after listening to this episode.Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Happy Thanksgiving! With this episode being released the week of Thanksgiving, Steve and Rich wanted to take a moment to talk about the practice of thanksgiving from a theological perspective. Is Thanksgiving a Christian holiday? Something we do know is that somewhere along the way Christians did have a desire to set aside specific and intentional time to give thanks to God for His blessings. As a believer giving thanks is important. How does humility play into the act of giving thanks? How do we push against the constant stream of discontentment our culture promotes (through social media, TV, etc.)? How do we use this national holiday of Thanksgiving to create within ourselves and in our families the discipline of giving thanks? Have you ever thought about how some of the most thankful people are those that have been through the most? 1 Thessalonians 5 challenges us to give thanks in everything. Philippians 4 encourages us to be content no matter the season. When you develop a true practice of thanksgiving there is a peace that comes as our eyes are more open to see the hand of God in our lives. You will be encouraged as Steve and Rich share about how they practice thankfulness in their everyday lives. We hope you take some time this week to intentionally give thanks to the Lord!Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week Steve and Rich continue their discussion on the resurrection, specifically highlighting the incredible value it has. The latter part of 1 Corinthians 15 is referenced throughout this episode so we would encourage you to familiarize yourself with it. How does the resurrection affect your life today? Can you answer that? The resurrection affects everything about our lives. It is crucial that we understand this because there is an enemy who wants us to continue to live in the guilt and shame of our sin that has been paid for. Steve tells us that the resurrection reminds us that we stand today in the sight of our God in Jesus completely righteous. We are His beloved children. Rich reminds us that the resurrection brings so much hope and comfort in times of suffering and trial. Knowing that Jesus rose from the dead just like He said He would is certainly a comfort and truth to hold onto. Steve goes through a list of reasons that the resurrection brings value today and we've listed those below. Our understanding of the resurrection should give us an urgency to preach and share the Gospel. We are His ambassadors, preaching the reconciliation brought by the resurrection. This is an episode you'll want to share, and we would love it if you would do that!Five Reasons Why The Resurrection Has Value Today:The resurrection assures us of our standing in forgiveness We are assured that this world is not our home, of a better day and of life everlasting - all by the resurrection The power we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit who lives within us to live in victoryJesus is Lord over all and we know that without a shadow of a doubt because He conquered death The resurrection gives us hopeChrist is Risen by Mack Brock - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEkKQtsy66oDesert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Today on Resident Strangers Steve and Rich are covering the hallmark of the Christian faith and that is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Have you ever thought about what it would mean if Jesus did not rise from the dead? It is not possible to overstate how important the resurrection is for all of Christianity. This is a central issue of our Christian faith that cannot be comprised or disputed. Steve and Rich cover some ways that we can know for certain that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. They also go over some of theories that exist and how you can process those with Biblical and even historical truth. Something powerful to think about is that the fact that people even believed that Jesus rose from the dead is itself evidence for the resurrection. Rich explains that further in the conversation. Steve closes with talking about the life change that happened then and continues to happen now as a result of the resurrection. This is a crucial event to understand, be sure to listen!Recommendations from Steve:Who Moved The Stone? by Frank Morison - https://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-Stone-Frank-Morison/dp/0310295610/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EG80Y6HTBT6J&keywords=who+moved+the+stone&qid=1699300482&sprefix=who+moved+the+stone%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1The Resurrection Factor by Josh McDowell - https://www.amazon.com/Resurrection-Factor-Compelling-Evidence-Proves/dp/1850786402/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23WV2RVI0JGQH&keywords=the+resurrection+factor&qid=1699300548&sprefix=the+resurrection+factor%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1Stand to Reason - https://www.str.orgDesert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Welcome to a very spooky episode of Resident Strangers - just kidding. How should Christians think about Halloween? We're breaking that down as today's episode is being released on October 31st. Are you someone that turns off your lights when trick-or-treaters come around or do you engage your neighbors and participate in a God-honoring way? Both viewpoints are discussed and shockingly the hosts don't all agree! What is agreed upon is that Christians should certainly avoid and be against witchcraft, demonology and anything that resembles those things. Christians should also not use Halloween as an excuse for conduct that would otherwise be inappropriate. Steve points to 1 Corinthians 8 and presents the idea that this is a place of personal liberty in Christ. So much of this comes down to the heart attitude; not being close to anything involving Satan or the occult but taking time to ask the Lord what He would have you do. Our biggest encouragement is to leverage these cultural events as opportunities to tell people about Jesus in whatever way you feel peace with. Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Steve and Rich continue last week's discussion on the atonement. If you didn't listen to last week's episode, we would highly recommend you do that before diving into this week's conversation. As the listener you hopefully understand that the atonement accomplished reconciliation with God and purification and cleansing from sins. Some common questions are, why did Jesus even have to come in the first place? Does a good life get you to heaven? Is it possible for us to be good enough to save ourselves? How do you know that your sins are forgiven? The answer to so much of this is simple - it's faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus is to understand that He as the Son of God died for us and that we put our trust for our eternal life in Jesus and in Jesus alone. Jesus alone is key. Steve and Rich both reflect on trusting in Jesus as the best decision they have ever made in their lives. This and much more is discussed in this conversation and we hope it brings you to a deeper understanding of the importance and significance of the atonement. Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week, Steve and Rich are talking about the fact that Jesus died for us and for our sins. It's the atonement. What it accomplishes is reconciliation with God and purification and cleansing from sins. Rich goes over some theories on how it is that Jesus' death brings these things but what is important to remember above everything else is that when Jesus died, He died in our place as a substitute for us. Steve puts it in simple terms saying, Jesus died for me. It might seem so simple, but we would consider it extremely important in understanding theology. Steve and Rich both express how it can be difficult to discuss this concept without getting emotional. It means everything. This theme was even seen in the Old Testament sacrificial system as Rich reminds us. Jesus was and is the perfect sacrifice. Steve finally urges us to remember that the atonement should not just be a fact we accept as knowledge but should be something that continuously moves our soul. Recommendations from Rich: The Exodus Narrative - Study Exodus 12-13Mike Lockwood's Stories Collective interview - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4c32KuQqcQoOYQdeLClmzN?si=b38bbaae8f9c476d*available wherever you listen to podcasts, Stories Collective Ep. 78Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

Let's face it. Even as Christians and followers of Jesus, we don't always get along. There can be different viewpoints within the Christian faith, and it can sometimes create confusion and division. Does all theology have the same level of importance? Steve and Rich get into that today on our 10th episode of Resident Strangers. We can do our very best to study and figure out the right answer but there are certain things we won't have answers to until we meet God face-to-face one day. Though there are many areas within theology that can have different viewpoints or beliefs, Steve and Rich identify five key points that cannot be comprised or argued against. They talk us through how to be confident those things are true and how to sift through the areas that might bring questions and division. Ultimately, Steve, Rich and Sarah urge everyone to have these discussions with kindness and grace. Love and kindness will speak louder than facts being presented. We hope this episode is a practical encouragement to you today!*One quick note we wanted to make - when Steve was sharing his story about EE at the top of the episode he meant to say, “Moravian church” but instead said “Mormon church.” He would not teach in a Mormon church since they do not hold to the 5 fundamentals of historic Christian faith (as discussed in the episode). The teaching was done in a Moravian church. Thanks for listening and for understanding!Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This week's discussion on Resident Strangers starts with asking the question, "who is Jesus to you?" Was Jesus just a good teacher? A good man? Or was (and is He) more than that? In essence, was He a liar, lunatic or Lord? Rich takes us from the personal aspect of Jesus to the deeper theological reality. So much of what differentiates Christianity from other belief systems is what they say about Jesus and His identity - that's important! Rich even takes us into some explanation on how the Greek language helps us truly know who Jesus is and Steve brings it around to a practical, everyday knowledge. Steve and Rich both address controversies that exist about Jesus and His nature doing their best to give a coherent picture. Steve ends the conversation with some encouragement to continue seeking Jesus and drawing near to Him. Jesus understands where we are now. How amazing that we can continue to know Him in a personal way!The Now Life podcast - https://www.dscchurch.com/the-now-lifeDesert Springs' Doctrinal Statement - https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.