Life in the Valley Podcast

Apostasy? Can you lose your salvation? Or were you never really saved to begin with?

Episode 24. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “Apostasy? Can you lose your salvation? Or were you never really saved to begin with? Respected Christians are on both sides of this debate so how should it be taught in church?”
Scripture references:  2 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 21:21; Hebrews 6:4-8; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:15-16; Romans 10:13; 1 John 5:13
 
The Greek word apostasia is used two times: “a falling away, defection, apostasy”
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – a falling away (KJV) “apostasy” (NAS) “rebellion” (ESV)
Acts 21:21 – forsake (KJV)
Similar word apostasion is used three times: “1. divorce, repudiation; 2. a bill of divorce”
Matthew 5:31, Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4 – all used when Jesus was addressing the issues of marital divorce
Based on this, apostasy is leaving the faith. Rejection of Christ. Rebellion against God.  It is the opposite of repentance (turning from sin to Christ).  Apostasy is turning away from Christ to sin.
 
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Theology Talk: The Discipline of the Word, Part 2

Episode 23.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of the Word.
 
Bible Reading Plans
 
Use Martin Luther’s Method:
Instruction – What does this passage tell me to do?
Praise – How does this passage make me worship God?
Confession – How does this passage call me to confess the way that I failed?
Petition – Ask for the Spirit to help you walk in obedience.
 
ESV app
 
Recommended Reading on our website
 
The Gospel Coalition free courses
 
Charles Simeon Trust courses
 
For the Church Institute courses
 
Help Me Teach the Bible with Nancy Guthrie podcast
 
Knowing Faith podcast
 
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 the Word

Episode 22.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines and we are starting with the discipline of the Word.
What is the biblical basis for devoting ourselves to the discipline of the Word?
What does it look like?
How does the discipline of the Word transform us?
Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
Scripture References:  Psalm 119, Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 3:14-16
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.
 
 

Sermon Follow Up - A Compassionate Shepherd

Episode 21. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on February 11, 2024 on Mark 6:30-44, "A Compassionate Shepherd." 
 
Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions.
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Theology Talk: Spiritual Disciplines

Episode 20.  In this episode, we are introducing a series of Theology Talks over the next several episodes on spiritual disciplines. What do we mean by spiritual disciplines? What is the biblical basis for why we should commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines? What are some spiritual disciplines?
Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney
Scripture Reference:  1 Timothy 4:7
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

What is your take on head coverings and the cutting of hair?

Episode 19. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "What is your take on head coverings and the cutting of hair?"  Pastor Zach explains the use of hermeneutics (the right interpretation of Scripture) and how to use the COMA method.  
C - Context
O - Observation 
M - Meaning
A - Application
Scripture references:  1 Corinthians 11:2-6
Recommended resources:  Bible Study: A Student's Guide
Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Sermon Follow Up: What's in a Name?

Episode 18. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on January 21, 2024 on Mark 6:14-29. 
Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions.
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

How do you answer someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus but is hurt by the church or refuses to gather with the church?

Episode 17.  In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener, “How do you answer someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus but is hurt by the church or refuses to gather with the church?”
Scripture references:
Hebrews 10:25
Matthew 16:17-20
Matthew 18:15-20
Matthew 22:36-40
Mark 10:29-30
Ephesians 5:25
Book recommendation: 
Called to Stay: An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church by Caleb Breakey
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Theology Talk: Church Covenant

This episode is a Theology Talk on church covenant. What is a church covenant? What is the purpose of a church covenant? 
MVBC's Church Covenant -  www.machiasvalley.org/about
Book Recommendation:
I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom Rainer
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Sermon Follow Up: Ruth

Episode 15. We recently wrapped up a sermon series on the book of Ruth here at MVBC. In this episode, Pastor Zach recaps the entire story of Ruth and gives us two major takeaways from this Old Testament book of the Bible.
Chapter 1 - Story about a family from Bethlehem
Chapter 2 - Gleaning in Boaz's field
Chapter 3 - Scene at the winnowing floor
Chapter 4 - The conversation between Boaz and the closer kinsman-redeemer
The Old Testament is pointing to the person and work of Jesus Christ
The doctrine of redemption
Covenantal kindness/love (chesed)
The geneology/offspring - the line of David
Two Takeaways from the book of Ruth:
1. God can work through the most broken and dark periods in your life. He can redeem even the most broken situations.
2. The true Redeemer in Bethlehem is Jesus, who like Ruth, repent and follow the Lord.
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC