Life in the Valley Podcast

Christmas: The Genealogy of Matthew 1

Episode 12. Why does the New Testament start with a genealogy? Why is this important for the story of Christmas?
Matthew 1
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Theology Talk: Missional

This episode is a Theology Talk on the “missional.”  What does it mean to be missional as a Christian? What does it mean to live on mission?
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

How should Christians handle Santa Claus?

In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "How should Christians handle Santa Claus?"
Scripture references:  Ephesians 2:8; Colossians 3:9; Colossians 1:15-18
Recommended resources:
1. "Saint Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus" by Stephen Nichols.
2. Advent Blocks/The King Is Coming
3. Luke 2:1-20
 
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: Christ’s Authority Over Disease and Death

In this episode, we are following up with some questions from Sunday's sermon from November 26, 2023 - Mark 5:21-43, Christ's Authority Over Disease and Death.  www.machiasvalley.org/sermons
Sermon Follow Up Questions/Thoughts:
1. Why did Jesus ask who touched Him? Doesn't He know everything?
2. The desperation of Jairus.
3. The doctrine of the intercession of Christ.
4. Song: Before the Throne of God Above
Recommendations:
Essential Christianity by J.D. Greear
Read the book of Hebrews
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Is there a way to balance what Jesus says about not caring what people think of His teaching and not being unnecessarily offensive?

In this episode, we answer the question: “Is there a way to balance what Jesus says about not caring what people think of His teaching and not being unnecessarily offensive? What would the common principles be?”
Scripture references:  Ezekiel 34:1-6; 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
 
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

How do you love your spouse when you don’t love them?

In this episode, we answer the question, "How do I love my spouse when I don't love him?" 
The purpose of marriage
The power of the Holy Spirit, God's Word, and prayer
Sister Support
Romans 8
1 John
Recommended Resources:
The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
Loving Him Well (formerly Sacred Influence) by Gary Thomas
The Love Dare by Stephen Kendrick and Alex Kendrick
Anchored Hope Biblical Counseling 
 
Got questions? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will answer in a future episode.
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Sermon Follow Up: Satanic Swine and the Merciful Son

In this episode, we are following up with some questions from Sunday's sermon from October 22, 2023 - Mark 5:1-20, Satanic Swine and the Merciful Son.  www.machiasvalley.org/sermons
Sermon Follow Up Questions:
1.  Are there two demon possessed men or one? Matthew’s account indicates that there were two, but Luke and Mark only talk about one.  Is this a discrepancy in Scripture?
2.  In the text, the demon asks Jesus if he is there to torment him. Is that true? What does that mean?
3.  Despite all of our “sidebar” questions that we may or may not have answers for, what is the main point of the passage? What is a good application question for us to think about?
 
Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Theology Talk: Gospel

This episode is a Theology Talk on the “gospel.”  What does the word gospel mean? How do we explain the gospel?
Greek word is “euaggelion” which means “good news”
It is an announcement, like when a king won a victory over an enemy
It is historical – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
It is about the work of Jesus alone
It is the key to understanding all of the Bible
A summary of the gospel can be found on our website at https://www.machiasvalley.org/the-gospel
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Should Christians participate in Halloween?

In this episode, Pastor Zach answers the question, “Should Christians participate in Halloween?”
Distinction between “celebrate” vs. “participate”
Do not cause anyone to stumble
This is a call to wisdom
Christians have different convictions on this; let’s be sure we show love and grace toward one another
Do all to the glory of God
Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 8-10; Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 10:31
 
Got questions? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will answer in a future episode.
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership
 

Theology Talk: Christ-Centered

Episode 3. This episode is a Theology Talk on Christ-centeredness. This is a word/concept we talk about often at MVBC.  What does it mean to be Christ-centered?
We look at this through four lenses:
Christ-centered approach to Scripture
Christ-centered approach to church
Christ-centered approach to worship
Christ-centered approach to living on mission
Books mentioned:
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
God’s Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts
Other recommended resources:  https://www.machiasvalley.org/recommended-reading
 
Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC
www.machiasvalley.org/leadership