Life in the Valley Podcast

Merry Christmas Fun!

Episode 44. Merry Christmas!  Pastor Zach & Andrea play "Name that Christmas Tune," we talk about our favorite Christmas carols and the history of the Christmas tree.  Andrea also asks Pastor Zach a question:  Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? Was Jesus actually born on December 25?  
Pastor Zach's two favorite Christmas carols:
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Andrea's favorite Christmas carol:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Pastor Zach recommends:
Red Pen Logic
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC.

How is God three in one?

Episode 43. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “How is God three in one?”
Recommended Resources:
The Shield of the Trinity
The Trinity Explained for Kids  
Host: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of Machias Valley Baptist Church. 
www.machiasvalley.org.

Is baptism necessary to be saved?

Episode 42. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “Is baptism necessary to be saved? If you have asked Christ into your heart and accepted Him as your Lord and Savior, is that enough to be saved?”
Romans 10:8-10
We are not saved by forms but by faith.
Baptism comes from the Greek word “baptizo” means “immersion of water.”
Seen repeatedly in the book of Acts
Why is baptism important?
Ephesians 4:4-6
Romans 6:1-4
Recommended Resources:
9 Marks
Host: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of Machias Valley Baptist Church. 
www.machiasvalley.org.

The Greatest Need of the Modern Church with Kip Vaughn

Episode 41. Kip Vaughn, Pastor Zach's grandfather, joins the show today to discuss the greatest need of the modern church. 
What is the greatest need of the church today?
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
What does it look like?
How does this happen?
Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 2-3
Ephesians 5:18
Ephesians 3:19
Host: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of Machias Valley Baptist Church. 
www.machiasvalley.org.
 

What is spiritual warfare? How do you battle through it?

Episode 40. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “What is spiritual warfare? How do you battle through it?”
 
Resources:
The Whole Armor of God by Iain Duguid
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem – See chapter “Satan and Demons”
Blog articles on the book of Ephesians by Zach Vaughn
Grace Driven Effort by Matt Chandler
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC.

Theology Talk: The Discipline of Rest/Sabbath

Episode 39. In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines with the discipline of rest/Sabbath.
What is the biblical basis for rest?
How is rest a spiritual discipline? How does the Lord use it to grow us in godliness?
What does this practice look like?
Recommended Resources:
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley
 
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer
 
The Wisdom Pyramid: Feeding Your Soul in a Post-Truth World by Brett McCracken
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC.
 
 

Will Jesus not return until every tribe and tongue has heard the gospel?

Episode 38. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “Will Jesus not return until every tribe and tongue has heard the gospel? Is this literal? If so, why do so many think we are in the end times with so many unreached people groups?”
 
Resources:
The Joshua Project
The chapter entitled “Missions” in John Piper’s book Desiring God
The chapter about the Return of Christ in Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology
 The Gospel of the Kingdom by George Eldon Ladd
Sermon entitled “Come Together for the Sake of Those Without the Gospel” by David Platt
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC.
 

Eschatology and the Local Church with Dr. Greg Beale

Episode 37.  We welcome Dr. Greg Beale to talk about eschatology and the local church.  Dr. Beale is a professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Pastor Zach and Dr. Beale discuss:
What is eschatology?
Why is it important for Christians to understand eschatology?
What are the various views within eschatology?
What views of eschatology do you think are most damaging to the church today?
How does understanding eschatology grow our love for and trust in Christ?
Recommended Resources:
The Bible and the Future by Anthony Hoekema
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC
Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Theology Talk: The Discipline of Serving

Episode 36. In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines with the discipline of serving.
What is the biblical basis for serving?
How is serving a spiritual discipline? How does the Lord use it to grow us in godliness?
What does this practice look like?
Scripture References:  John 13, Mark 10:43-45, Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 4:10-11
 
Article: “Make Love Your Aim” by Carolyn McCulley
 
Also, we talk about what our favorite podcasts right now:
 
Pastor Zach’s (a.k.a., “PZ”) Favorite Podcast:
The Crossway Podcast
Gospel in Life – Timothy Keller Sermons
 
Andrea’s Favorite Podcasts:
Mere Christians Podcast with Jordan Raynor
Tim Hawkins Podcast
 
Donald Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC.
 
 

Any advice on parenting through these challenging times, especially with LGBTQ, gender identity issues, etc.? How do we guide our kids as they start to notice these things?

Episode 35. In this episode, we answer a listener question: “Do you have any advice on parenting through these challenging times, especially with LGBTQ, gender identity issues, etc.? How do we guide our kids as they start to notice these things?”
Resources:
The New City Catechism for Kids
 
The New City Catechism: 52 Questions & Answers for Our Hearts & Minds
 
https://newcitycatechism.com/
 
Search for the app “New City Catechism”
 
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/seven-things-to-pray-for-your-children
 
1 Peter 3:15
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC.