Connect: Connecting the Bible to Life with Cole Phillips

Cole Phillips

We know the Bible is full of meaning and life-changing truths. But, sometimes, it can be hard to know just how to live out what we read in the Bible. Dr. Cole Phillips, lead pastor and church planter of The Connection Church, will dive into God's Word to bring out practical and relevant ways to apply the truths of the Bible to our everyday lives. If you want to grow in your faith and make a difference in your world, this is the podcast for you. Email: cole@theconnectionchurch.org

  1. FEB 11

    Growing through Seasons of Marriage

    In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Cole and Pam Phillips discuss how to grow through the various seasons couples experience in marriage. They share personal stories about their own marriage journey, including the challenges of early marriage, the importance of communication, and the commitment to stay together through difficult times. They emphasize the significance of understanding the different seasons of marriage, from the honeymoon phase to the struggles of winter, and offer advice for newlyweds on building a strong foundation based on faith and covenant love. Takeaways Marriage is central to family and community.Seasons in marriage are normal and should be acknowledged.Social media can create unrealistic comparisons in relationships.It's important to communicate openly about struggles in marriage.Covenant love reflects the commitment of Jesus to the church.Pre-marital counseling is crucial for understanding marriage.Words spoken in marriage can have lasting impacts.Couples should prioritize their relationship amidst busy lives.It's essential to set boundaries for family activities.Perseverance in marriage leads to deeper commitment. Keywords marriage, relationships, rooted romance, seasons of marriage, faith, community, commitment, communication, newlyweds, love Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rooted Romance 01:57 Celebrating Victories in Faith and Community 03:53 Understanding Seasons of Marriage 07:51 Navigating the Honeymoon Phase 15:59 Transitioning into Parenthood 19:51 The Busy Summer Season 29:38 Recognizing the Fall Season 34:46 Persevering Through Winter 38:33 Advice for Newlyweds 44:46 The Importance of Covenant Love

    45 min
  2. JAN 28

    Can You Trust the Bible?

    In this conversation, Cole Phillips and Pastor Bobby discuss the significance of the Bible, addressing its trustworthiness, the challenges of understanding it, and practical ways to engage with scripture. They emphasize the importance of community in reading the Bible, the historical and archaeological evidence supporting its claims, and the role of prophecy. The discussion culminates in practical advice for applying biblical teachings to daily life and the necessity of submitting to its guidance. Keywords Bible, trust, scripture, Jesus, prophecy, reading, understanding, faith, church, community Takeaways The Bible is considered the most important book in existence.In-person gatherings are vital for community worship.Many struggle with understanding the Bible due to distractions.The Bible claims to be God-breathed and true.Jesus affirmed the trustworthiness of the Bible.Historical evidence supports the accuracy of biblical texts.Prophecy plays a significant role in validating the Bible.Practical reading plans can enhance understanding of scripture.Application of scripture is essential for personal growth.Submitting to the Bible is crucial for a believer's life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Bible's Importance 05:32 Understanding and Engaging with the Bible 11:23 Jesus' Perspective on the Bible 17:20 Historical and Archaeological Evidence 22:52 Practical Approaches to Reading the Bible 27:31 The Call to Action and Submission to Scripture

    42 min
  3. JAN 21

    Betting on Jesus: What Does it Mean to Believe in Jesus

    In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Cole Phillips kicks off a new season by discussing the importance of deepening one's faith through the lens of the parable of the soils from Matthew 13. He emphasizes that while many hear the word of God, the true measure of faith lies in how deeply it takes root in one's life. Cole reflects on the recent passing of Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, who shared his thoughts on faith and conversion in the face of terminal illness. Through Adams' story, Cole explores the difference between superficial belief and genuine faith, urging listeners to consider the depth of their own spiritual commitment. Cole gets into the concept of Pascal's Wager, discussing the rationality of believing in God versus the risks of disbelief. He contrasts this with the biblical example of the thief on the cross, who exemplified true faith through his humble acknowledgment of Jesus. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to examine their own faith, encouraging them to move beyond mere belief to a deeper, transformative relationship with Jesus. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the New Season 00:56 The Parable of the Soils 06:09 Understanding True Faith vs. Fake Faith 08:03 Scott Adams' Journey and Final Thoughts 19:09 Pascal's Wager: Risk vs. Reward in Faith 30:31 The Nature of Real Faith and Commitment faith, parable of the soils, Scott Adams, Connect Podcast, deep faith, transformation, Pascal's Wager, true belief, spiritual commitment

    36 min
  4. 10/01/2025

    Formula 1/10: Your Winning Formula for Financial Freedom

    In this episode of the Connect podcast, Cole Phillips and Bobby Frauman explore the intersection of racing, generosity, and biblical principles of financial stewardship. They discuss the importance of managing finances in a godly way, the impact of generosity on community growth, and share real-life stories of financial transformation. The conversation emphasizes practical tips for managing money and the spiritual principles behind financial stewardship, encouraging listeners to prioritize their finances in alignment with their faith. Takeaways Financial stress is a leading cause of marital conflict.Jesus emphasized the importance of money management in his teachings.Generosity attracts people and fosters community growth.Real-life stories illustrate the impact of financial faithfulness.Practical financial management can lead to peace and stability.Tithing is a biblical principle that encourages generosity.Living on less than you earn is crucial for financial health.The pursuit of more money does not guarantee happiness. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Formula 1/10 04:50 The Importance of Financial Stewardship 10:04 Generosity vs. Misery: A Heart Condition 14:45 Lessons from Racing: Managing Finances 20:01 Real Stories of Financial Faithfulness 24:45 Practical Financial Management Strategies 30:03 The Formula of Giving: First and Ten Percent 34:25 Conclusion and Call to Action Keywords racing, generosity, financial stewardship, biblical principles, money management, community impact, real-life stories, practical tips, financial transformation

    35 min
  5. 09/24/2025

    Jesus is Coming Back: Signs of the End

    In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Cole Phillips and Pastor Rowdy discuss the signs of the end times and the return of Jesus. They explore the fascination with prophecy, the importance of being prepared, and the nature of Jesus' return. The conversation emphasizes the need for believers to live expectantly, watchfully, and actively share the gospel, while also addressing the misinformation surrounding the end times. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to live with hope and purpose as they await Jesus' return. Takeaways: The Bible has over 300 references to the return of Jesus. Many people are fascinated with the end times due to curiosity and misinformation. It's essential to focus on what Jesus said about His return rather than speculative predictions. Believers should live every day as if Jesus is coming back soon. The return of Jesus is a global event that will be visible to all. Preparation for Jesus' return involves being spiritually alert and actively serving others. Misinformation about the end times can lead to doubt and confusion. The gospel is good news that needs to be shared with others. Living with hope means being proactive in sharing faith and witnessing. The timing of Jesus' return is known only to the Father, and we should not attempt to predict it. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Connect Podcast 02:54 The Signs of the End: A Biblical Perspective 06:13 Understanding Misinformation About the End Times 09:06 The Fascination with Prophecy and Predictions 11:52 The Importance of Being Prepared 14:43 Jesus' Return: What the Bible Says 18:03 Living in Expectation: Watching and Working 20:56 The Call to Witness and Share the Gospel 23:50 Conclusion: Living with Hope and Purpose Keywords: end times, return of Jesus, prophecy, biblical perspective, signs of the end, misinformation, faith, witnessing, gospel, preparation

    39 min
  6. 09/03/2025

    Why Did Jesus Die?

    In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Cole Phillips delves into the profound question of why Jesus had to die, exploring various theories of atonement and their significance in Christianity. He emphasizes the importance of understanding Jesus' sacrifice as a means of reconciliation with God, highlighting the concepts of substitutionary atonement, moral influence, and victory over sin and death. The discussion aims to deepen listeners' understanding of the cross and its implications for their faith and daily lives. Takeaways Understanding why Jesus died is central to Christianity.Jesus willingly laid down his life, it was not an accident.Atonement means being reunited with God.There are multiple explanations for Jesus' death, each important.Jesus paid a ransom to set us free from sin.His death demonstrates the fullness of God's love.Jesus defeated the powers of hell and sin.Through Jesus, we are reconciled to God.Substitutionary atonement means Jesus took our place.Accepting Jesus' sacrifice leads to a transformed life. Sound bites "Why did Jesus have to die?" "Jesus connected us together." "Jesus took our place on the cross." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Connect Podcast 06:20 False Explanations of Jesus' Death 12:07 The Moral Influence Explanation 17:53 The Victory Explanation 24:32 The Substitution Explanation 33:33 Conclusion and Call to Action Keywords Jesus, death, atonement, Christianity, faith, Connect Podcast, Cole Phillips, reconciliation, sacrifice

    36 min
  7. 08/20/2025

    MythBusters: Debunking Common Christian Misconceptions

    Summary In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Cole Phillips and Bobby talk about common misconceptions about and in Christianity. They celebrate recent victories, including baptisms and personal growth, before diving into a MythBusters-style segment where they debunk popular sayings and beliefs that are often misattributed to the Bible. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding true biblical teachings, the difference between happiness and holiness, and the need for discernment in interpreting cultural sayings. They encourage listeners to seek deeper truths in scripture and to reflect on their personal faith journeys. Takeaways Celebrating victories in faith encourages community growth.Misconceptions about God can lead to spiritual confusion.Happiness is not the ultimate goal; holiness is more important.Understanding the context of biblical verses is crucial.Cultural sayings can often mislead us about spiritual truths.God helps those who realize they need Him.Cleanliness is not a measure of spiritual health.Money is neutral; it's the love of money that is problematic.The heart can deceive us; we need to rely on God's wisdom.Not everything that sounds good is aligned with God's truth. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Connect Podcast 05:02 Celebrating Victories in Faith 13:34 MythBusters: Common Misconceptions in Christianity 19:15 Understanding Happiness vs. Holiness 24:00 Cultural Misquotes and Their Origins 32:12 The Truth About Money and Its Role 39:34 The Lion and the Lamb: Misinterpretations of Scripture Keywords Connect Podcast, Christianity, Bible, Misconceptions, Faith, Happiness, Holiness, MythBusters, Cultural Misquotes, Spiritual Growth

    44 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

We know the Bible is full of meaning and life-changing truths. But, sometimes, it can be hard to know just how to live out what we read in the Bible. Dr. Cole Phillips, lead pastor and church planter of The Connection Church, will dive into God's Word to bring out practical and relevant ways to apply the truths of the Bible to our everyday lives. If you want to grow in your faith and make a difference in your world, this is the podcast for you. Email: cole@theconnectionchurch.org