Modern Discipleship Podcast Episode 1 Transcript

Episode Title: Insecurity, Humility, and Everyday Discipleship, A Conversation with Pastor Alex & Pastor Colin

Summary: Pastors Alex and Colin (“PC”) talk insecurity, humility vs. self-doubt, discipleship, Bible reading (**Gospel of John & SOAP), mental health, and living out faith as young adults and students. They touch on Gideon, imago Dei (image of God), Genesis (Adam & Eve), Titus, the role of the Holy Spirit, and how to follow Jesus beyond Sunday.

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[00:00:10] Well, what’s up everybody? Welcome to the Modern Discipleship Podcast brought to you by Oasis Church. My name is Alex, one of the pastors here. We got PC in the house — Pastor Colin…

[00:00:50] …the heart behind this is letting people hear the conversations we have off-platform. We only teach a quarter of Sundays each year, and there’s so much we can’t fit into 30 minutes. The hard part of preaching is what you cut, not what you add.

[00:01:44] PC: I’m naturally a teacher — between students, young adults, and Sundays — I always have more than fits. You tailor what’s relevant for each audience: Sunday ≠ Thursday students ≠ Tuesday young adults.

[00:02:45] Alex: PC is our student and young adult pastor.
PC: March 2026 is seven years on staff at Oasis; I was saved here in 4th grade. I’m passionate about that unique young adulthood stage. I got saved as a student; now I get to impact students.

[00:03:40] …stepping into the role of young adult pastor — almost 30 — I feel called to it. Long-term student ministry, not a stepping stone. Average youth pastor tenure is two years; I want to walk with them from middle school to young adults.

[00:07:21] Alex: Our model at Oasis is equipping, not building around a personality. We’re called to be equippers (Eph. 4).

[00:08:21] New series: You Asked For It — we ask our church what they want us to address.

[00:10:51] Alex: You spoke on Gideon. For those who missed it, share the heart behind the message.
[00:11:02] PC: The question was handling insecurities as Christians. Gideon’s story revolves around insecurity. As my leadership influence grew, so did my self-doubt — “Am I really built for this?” Freedom came when I realized: it’s not about me. God equips the called, not calls the equipped. His power is made perfect in weakness.

[00:13:25] We also saw how comparison feeds insecurity; insecurity is a form of pride because it still centers on me. Reading Gideon again, seven years of hardship shaped his insecurity — context matters.

[00:14:44] Alex: People ask if we’re nervous up there — yes. A healthy reverence keeps us dependent on the Holy Spirit.

[00:21:16] Alex:Gen Z isn’t “the church of tomorrow.” They’re leading today. We want them at the table.

[00:22:08] C. S. Lewis on humility: it’s not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. We’re image bearers — imago Dei — every human has dignity because of the image of God.

[00:24:05] Jesus came not to be served but to serve — that’s true discipleship. Don’t stay in toxic or abusive situations; humility ≠ being a doormat.

[00:26:02] Difference between low self-esteem/self-doubt and humility is the fruit: condemnation pushes you from God; conviction draws you back. Humility admits weakness and grows; self-doubt spirals.

[00:28:00] Servanthood and submission lead to growth; humility partners with others and yields leadership when wise.

[00:29:21] Genesis: Adam failed to exercise godly dominion (service), not domineering control; he stood by as Eve took the fruit. Dominion rightly understood is serving our families.

[00:31:03] When we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts; if we confess, God is faithful to forgive. There is no condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1). Don’t let old failures stall your calling.

[00:33:01] On the cross Jesus said “It is finished.” Debt paid — past, present, future. He advocates for us now.

[00:34:37] Healthy fear of God = reverence, not terror. God is for you.

[00:35:12] Life of a Sunday teacher: preach three times, love people in the lobby — as introverts, that costs energy. We often fast from food to preach.

[00:39:40] Every believer is called to ministry — same Holy Spirit power. Your workplace is a mission field. God placed you there on mission.

[00:41:03] We need believers in hospitals, schools, law, government. Don’t use being an introvert as an excuse — say yes in obedience.

[00:42:13] Obedience is the core. If God calls, He equips.

[00:42:52] Work hard at work, then work hard at home — your first ministry is your household.

[00:48:25] Baptisms: we celebrated around 150 baptisms this year — praise God.

[00:50:09] HOW TO READ THE BIBLE (lightning round)
– Start with the Gospels, especially John (see Jesus’ person and heart).
– Then the rest of the New Testament, then Genesis → Old Testament.
– Try the SOAP method: Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer (pray before & after; ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate).
– Aim for consistent time daily — even 5 minutes grows.

[00:55:06] What keeps pastors inspired to preach?
Calling, love for the craft, and seeing fruit. Keep identity rooted in Christ — don’t live by compliments or die by criticism.

[00:59:01] Mental health & the Bible: It’s real. Bring it to God. We see despair in the prophets; Jesus invites the weary. Use community, counseling, and medicine wisely. Emotions are real, not always true; don’t isolate.

[01:03:11] Closing prayer — asking the Holy Spirit to open doors for gospel conversations and use us to point people to Jesus.

Modern Discipleship Podcast — Episode 2 Transcript

Episode Title: Hell, Holiness, and Real-Life Discipleship — A Conversation with Pastor Alex & Pastor Luis

Summary:
Pastors Alex and Luis open with a light movie chat before diving into “You Asked For It.” They tackle big questions about hell and judgment, the difference between Old Testament and New Testament revelation, and why holiness is about proximity to Jesus—not legalism. They discuss everyday discipleship (addictions, social media, entertainment choices), grace vs. license, Matthew 25:41, apologetics and absolute morality, and a practical Q&A: “Is it okay for Christians to drink, smoke, or curse?” The episode ends with a reminder that holiness grows from time with God, and a prayer over listeners.

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[00:00:00] [Music]

[00:00:10] Alex: Start wide so L can tell me why Shawshank Redemption is the best movie.
Luis: Honestly… not my cup of tea. Great story, sure—but favorites? I’m team Inception/Memento/The Prestige. Movies that make you think.

[00:04:07] Kids, VeggieTales, Miss Rachel vs. “Miss Apple,” two babies under 14 months—life update and why movie time is rare.

[00:05:03] Series intro: You Asked For It—100+ questions from church; today we’ll pull a few.

[00:06:48] Why talk about hell? Multiple historic views exist (atonement, final judgment). If thoughtful Christians disagree, it’s worth honest study.
Core question: “If God is loving, why does hell exist?”

[00:07:01] OT vs NT: God is unchanging, but he relates to people in different ways across Scripture—garden proximity, tabernacle, prophets/judges, Jesus incarnate, and now the Holy Spirit indwelling believers.

[00:11:01] Why many churches avoid hell: We focus on drawing people to Christ, not just “fire insurance.” Still, good news only makes sense against bad news—all have sinned; Jesus credits us his righteousness.

[00:14:24] Holiness in church life: Calling people higher can feel uncomfortable. Holiness isn’t a shame tactic—it’s an invitation to become like Jesus.

[00:16:11] Everyday idols & addictions: Work identity, shopping, caffeine, social media, entertainment—God prunes what harms holiness. “All things are permissible, not all beneficial.”

[00:19:05] Count the cost: If life after Christ looks identical to life before, something’s off. Relationship over religion still requires time, devotion, and change.

[00:23:35] Suffering & discipleship: Saying yes to Jesus includes daily self-denial. Grace removes condemnation, not the call to pursue holiness.

[00:27:18] Boundaries wisdom: Learn to say, “I should probably turn this off/change the channel/walk away.” Sin is often a slow creep, like hypertension—a “silent killer.”

[00:33:16] Scripture focus — Matthew 25:41:
“Depart from me… into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Point: Hell wasn’t made for us. God won’t force relationship; the door of hell is locked from the inside (Lewis image).

[00:36:49] God knocks, doesn’t kick the door down: He pursues to life’s end, but won’t coerce love. Love must be freely given.

[00:41:16] Apologetics moment: Why God must judge sin—think of the courtroom. A good judge doesn’t shrug at evil.

[00:46:02] Absolute morality: Without God, right/wrong becomes subjective. Scripture reveals the moral law and human dignity.

[00:50:26] Rules make life playable: From Call of Duty to football sidelines—boundaries create joy, clarity, and fairness.

[00:54:24] Q&A — “Is it okay for Christians to drink, smoke, and curse?”

• Consider who is harmed: God, neighbor, or self.

• Speech should edify; intoxication/self-harm is unwise.

• If you’re asking the question, you likely know it isn’t helping you follow Jesus—choose the beneficial path.

[00:57:27] Holiness vs. judgmentalism: You can’t manufacture holiness to gain access to God. Holiness is the fruit of proximity to God. Draw near first; transformation follows.

[01:01:06] If we had to be holy to be loved, none of us could start. God loved us while we were still sinners.

[01:04:13] Closing prayer: Alignment with God’s will, strength to say no to what harms, and lives that honor Jesus.

[01:05:33] [Music]