The Austin Stone Podcast

Jimmy McNeal kicks off the Advent season by exploring Simeon’s song and how it points to our hope in Jesus.

Greg Breazeale closes out our time in Ecclesiastes by summarizing the meaning and purpose of wisdom and who it ultimately points to.

We have some big takeaways from the Ecclesiastes sermon series. We’ve also got a few unresolved tensions. Tyler David joins Ross and Val to wrap up the Chasing Shadows Podcast with an update on what seems to be a new work of the Holy Spirit among students at the University of Texas. 

Discover how to navigate life’s uncertainties and the certainty of death with a vibrant faith. Explore the importance of seeking God’s guidance through challenges and embracing joy even in unpredictability. Reflect on the pursuit of meaning while balancing youthful enthusiasm with the reality of mortality. The conversation highlights finding hope in Jesus’ sacrificial love and emphasizes the joy that comes from remembering God's promises at every stage of life. Engage in a journey of gratitude amidst the fleeting nature of existence.

A small fly can spoil the whole batch. A thousand follies lead to one big disaster. And wisdom doesn’t prevent all suffering or failure. This seems bleak. But take heart, Christian. In this episode, we discuss how the truths of Ecclesiastes instruct us in how to live, even in the suburbs, with courage and hope in Jesus.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at podcast@austinstone.org.Watch on YouTube

Ross Lester explores the importance of making wise decisions and eliminating foolishness from our lives.

In this engaging discussion, Matt Blackwell, Congregation Pastor at Austin Stone's Northwest Congregation, shares insights from Ecclesiastes. He confronts the inevitability of death, prompting listeners to seek joy and contentment amidst life’s uncertainties. The conversation reveals how embracing mortality can deepen appreciation for relationships and simple pleasures. Blackwell encourages focusing on a higher purpose over personal legacy, while also highlighting the comfort of being remembered by Christ.

How should we make the most of our lives in light of eternity? Ross Lester explores wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes.

Jesus wasn’t a centrist. That’s too simple a conclusion. And following after Him with earnest zeal does not draw us to a specific political position. Jesus brings an entirely new paradigm. He makes us citizens of His Kingdom by the power of His blood. And yet, God has placed us in this time and this place, and as citizens of His Kingdom, we have been called to proclaim Him with our lives, with our voice, and even with our votes. But how should we vote? Should we vote? Let’s discuss.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at podcast@austinstone.org.Watch on YouTube

Ross Lester examines how we should respond to modern governing authorities and politics while pursuing a joyful endurance.