The Bullpen with J.D. Greear

J.D. Greear
  • 4.8 (638)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Every sermon starts with more than can fit into a message. For years, Pastor J.D. Greear has filled his sermon notes with extra illustrations, questions, insights, and rabbit trails that never made it into the final sermon. He calls that section of his notes “the bullpen.” Now, those ideas are coming out of the bullpen. In each episode, J.D. sits down with a few others to unpack a recent message, go deeper into Scripture, wrestle with difficult questions, and explore implications there wasn’t time to address from the pulpit. Along the way, they’ll also tackle important issues and questions happening in the world through the lens of biblical wisdom. No scripts. No polished talking points. Just honest, free-flowing conversations about Scripture, the gospel, and how they apply to real life. The Bullpen is a resource from J.D. Greear Ministries designed to help you go deeper in your understanding and love of the gospel.

  1. 2d ago

    Does God Lead You Into Failure? + The Problem with Christian Nationalism | Ep. 4

    Can God lead you into a decision that fails? J.D., Matt, and Curtis close out Ecclesiastes by talking about the small compromises that can eventually take someone out, the difference between faith and recklessness, how to discern God’s will, and why peace isn’t necessarily proof that a decision will succeed. Then they turn to Christian nationalism—religious liberty, who gets to define what counts as Christian, the viral University of Texas student-section photo, race and national identity, immigration and enculturation, and the difference between Christian influence in government and government authority over Christianity. Read Pastor J.D.’s article, “Why I’m Not a Christian Nationalist,” at The Gospel Coalition: HERE Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10-12 Watch the full sermon HERE. Get the sermon transcript HERE. Stay Connected! Text BULLPEN to 97000 for updates about the podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode of The Bullpen!

  2. Sep 14

    What Will People Say at Your Funeral? + Is Sports Betting a Sin? | Ep. 3

    Are you building a life that looks successful—or one that will actually matter when it’s over? In this episode of The Bullpen, J.D. Greear sits down with Matt Love, Curtis Andrusko, and special guest Julius Tennal to go deeper into Ecclesiastes 7 and the surprising wisdom that can come from hardship, loss, and even thinking about death. They talk about the difference between résumé virtues and eulogy virtues, what we tend to sacrifice in the pursuit of success, why we need people in our lives who are willing to tell us the truth, and how obedience can quietly become an attempt to control God. Julius also shares what it means to “live sent,” why Christians shouldn’t always wait for a dramatic calling before taking a step of obedience, and his family’s journey toward planting a church in South Africa. Plus, with football season back, we tackle the explosion of sports betting and ask whether “Is it a sin?” is even the right question. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7 Watch the full sermon HERE. Get the sermon transcript HERE. Stay Connected! Text BULLPEN to 97000 for updates about the podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode of The Bullpen!

  3. Aug 31

    Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? + WNBA Struggles to Define “Woman” | Ep. 2

    Why do bad things happen to good people—or are we asking the wrong question? In this episode of The Bullpen, J.D. Greear sits down with Matt Love and Curtis Andrusko to go deeper into Ecclesiastes 3 and what it means to trust God in seasons we don’t understand. They talk about why “God has a plan” can be true and still be difficult to hear when you’re hurting, how Christians can respond to suffering without minimizing someone’s pain, and why J.D. says the Bible actually reframes one of our biggest questions about God and evil. They also talk about learning to enjoy the season you’re in instead of constantly waiting for the next one, whether our pets will be in heaven, and how Christians can hold together grace and truth as questions about gender and sexuality continue to play out in culture. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 Watch the full sermon HERE. Get the sermon transcript. Stay Connected! Text BULLPEN to 97000 for updates about the podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode of The Bullpen!

  4. Aug 24

    Why Getting What You Want Isn’t Enough | Ep. 1

    Why is it that getting what we want so often leaves us wanting something more? In the first episode of The Bullpen, J.D. Greear sits down with Matt Love and Curtis Andrusko to go deeper into his first sermon in the book of Ecclesiastes and the search for a meaningful, satisfying life. They talk about why success and pleasure can’t carry the weight we put on them, how Christians can genuinely enjoy God’s gifts without turning them into idols, and what Ecclesiastes has to say to a culture constantly looking for the next thing. They also discuss social media, our endless appetite for more, and what it looks like to build your life around the things that actually last. Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 Watch the full sermon HERE Get the sermon transcript. Stay Connected! Text BULLPEN to 97000 for updates about the podcast. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode of The Bullpen!

  5. Aug 17

    Introducing The Bullpen with J.D. Greear

    For years now, whenever Pastor J.D. Greear preaches, he writes far more than he can actually say in the sermon. The material that doesn’t make the cut—the extra illustrations, the rabbit trails, the good questions he didn’t have time to chase—gets kept in a section of his notes he calls the “bullpen.” All of that material, all these years, has just sat there and never seen the light of day. But that changes next week. Each time J.D. preaches, he’ll sit down with a couple of people and unpack the message. They’ll go deeper into the passage, wrestle with the hard questions just like they always have, and bring out implications they didn’t have time to get into during the message. And if there’s something big happening in the world, or a controversial question that could use some Christian wisdom applied to it—even if it wasn’t directly addressed by the text—they’ll discuss that too. No scripts. Just a free-flowing conversation. And as always, J.D. is praying it will be a resource to help you grow deeper in your love and understanding of the gospel. Episode Links: Watch on YouTube: YouTube Channel Listen wherever you listen to podcasts.

  6. 12/02/2025

    Is the Deliberate Pursuit of Ethnic Unity the Same As DEI?

    In another special episode, Pastor J.D.  addresses the question: “Is the Deliberate Pursuit of Ethnic Unity the Same As DEI?” Key Takeaways: There is an unbiblical DEI that really is about quota and virtue signaling. Hiring practices should consider the experience of candidates over age 50. Ageism can be a concern when hiring for specific demographics. DEI initiatives can sometimes miss the mark by focusing on superficial metrics. Experience can be more valuable than age in certain roles. The conversation challenges traditional views on diversity in hiring. Understanding the context of DEI is crucial for effective implementation. Church leadership hiring should prioritize the ability to connect with the community. Quotas can undermine the true purpose of diversity initiatives. Real diversity includes valuing experience alongside demographic factors. Dive more into this conversation with Pastor J.D.’s new book, Everyday Revolutionary, which explores how ordinary believers can live out the gospel in ways that transform their communities. Episode Links: Listen to Pastor J.D.’s interview on the Bully Pulpit podcast HERE Watch on YouTube: YouTube Channel Listen on Apple Podcasts: Ask the Pastor Listen on Spotify: Ask the Pastor Become a Gospel Partner: jdgreear.com/donate

  7. 11/18/2025

    Is “Voting Blue” the First Sign of Losing Faith?

    In another special episode, Pastor J.D.  addresses the question: “Is ‘Voting Blue’ the First Sign of Losing Faith?” The conversation explores a question Pastor J.D. was asked recently about whether “voting blue” is a harbinger of losing your faith. Key Takeaways: Silence on moral issues can lead to distrust. The character of leaders matters to faith communities. Inconsistencies in beliefs can alienate younger members. The church’s political stance affects its moral authority. Transparency is crucial for maintaining faith. Younger people are seeking authenticity in leadership. The future of the church depends on addressing these issues. Dive more into this conversation with Pastor J.D.’s new book, Everyday Revolutionary, which explores how ordinary believers can live out the gospel in ways that transform their communities. Episode Links: Listen to Pastor J.D.’s interview on the Bully Pulpit podcast HERE Watch on YouTube: YouTube Channel Listen on Apple Podcasts: Ask the Pastor Listen on Spotify: Ask the Pastor Become a Gospel Partner: jdgreear.com/donate

  8. 10/27/2025

    WHY Is Gen Z Returning to the Church?

    In this episode, Pastor J.D.  concludes our mini-series about his latest book, Everyday Revolutionary, by asking the question: “WHY Is Gen Z Returning to the Church?” This conversation features Wes Smith, College Pastor at The Summit Church. Much has been said about how Gen Z is returning to the church… but why is that happening? We explore the reasons behind this trend, including a dissatisfaction with secular ideologies and a desire for community and fulfillment. Key Takeaways: Gen Z shows a significant curiosity about Jesus and the Bible. Many Gen Z individuals feel a void in their lives that they seek to fill. The church can provide a sense of community that Gen Z lacks online. Spiritual openness on college campuses is at an all-time high. Clarity on cultural issues is essential for engaging with Gen Z. The church should focus on gospel priority over political alignment. Many young people are coming to faith through authentic community. The rise in baptisms indicates a genuine spiritual revival among youth. Church leaders should emphasize identity in Christ to resonate with Gen Z. Engaging in conversations about controversial topics can lead to deeper understanding. Dive more into this conversation with Pastor J.D.’s new book, Everyday Revolutionary, which explores how ordinary believers can live out the gospel in ways that transform their communities. Episode Links: Last week’s episode: https://jdgreear.com/podcasts/are-christians-c…-the-culture-war/ Watch on YouTube: YouTube Channel Listen on Apple Podcasts: Ask the Pastor Listen on Spotify: Ask the Pastor Become a Gospel Partner: jdgreear.com/donate

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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
638 Ratings

About

Every sermon starts with more than can fit into a message. For years, Pastor J.D. Greear has filled his sermon notes with extra illustrations, questions, insights, and rabbit trails that never made it into the final sermon. He calls that section of his notes “the bullpen.” Now, those ideas are coming out of the bullpen. In each episode, J.D. sits down with a few others to unpack a recent message, go deeper into Scripture, wrestle with difficult questions, and explore implications there wasn’t time to address from the pulpit. Along the way, they’ll also tackle important issues and questions happening in the world through the lens of biblical wisdom. No scripts. No polished talking points. Just honest, free-flowing conversations about Scripture, the gospel, and how they apply to real life. The Bullpen is a resource from J.D. Greear Ministries designed to help you go deeper in your understanding and love of the gospel.

Information

  • Creator
    J.D. Greear
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    286
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 J.D. Greear Ministries
  • Show Website
    The Bullpen with J.D. Greear

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