The Halfway There Podcast

Nick Hartman

We’re all a work in progress—and that’s okay. On the Halfway There Podcast, Nick, a youth pastor and Brian, an adult leader, sit down to explore biblical topics with honesty, humor, and a heart to grow. Through real conversations, Scripture, and shared life experiences, we hope to encourage fellow believers who feel like they’re still “in process.” Whether you’re leading students, volunteering in ministry, or just trying to follow Jesus in everyday life, we’re here to walk with you… halfway there.

  1. 11/05/2025

    The Promises of God, the New Covenant

    Big Idea: Every covenant in Scripture points to Jesus. The New Covenant is the fulfillment of God’s promise to redeem His people through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Introduction In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Edmund’s betrayal leads him to a death he deserves. But Aslan steps in, offering his life in Edmund’s place. When the Stone Table cracks and Aslan rises again, death begins to work backward. C.S. Lewis wrote this as a reflection of the gospel—we were guilty, yet Christ took our place. The New Covenant is the turning point of the biblical story. It is where the shadows of previous covenants give way to their fulfillment in Jesus. Read: Luke 22:14–20 & Romans 8:1–5 1. The Center of the New Covenant: Christ Alone Unlike the earlier covenants—rooted in obedience, land, kingship, or law—the New Covenant is centered entirely on the Son of God. Jesus is both: The Mediator of the covenantAnd theYou said: These are simple for our podcast, like you've done before ChatGPT said: Got you. We’ll go simple, clean, to-the-point, like your previous episodes — short summary + key themes + scripture references. Episode Title: The New Covenant — The Turning Point of the Story Episode Summary Tonight we close our Covenant series by looking at the New Covenant in Christ. Every covenant before this—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David—was pointing forward to this moment. Jesus is the true and better fulfillment of every promise God has made. His death breaks the curse of sin, and His resurrection opens the way to new life. The New Covenant is not another step in the story—it is the climax of the story. Key Themes Jesus is the center of the New Covenant. Where every covenant partner before failed, Christ is perfectly faithful.Salvation is by grace through faith. Not by being part of a certain people group or keeping certain laws—but by trusting in Christ alone.The signs of the covenant are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These aren’t empty habits. They are reminders that we belong to Christ.The Upper Room is where Jesus instituted the covenant. The cross fulfilled it, but the covenant meal declared it.This covenant is God’s final and complete promise. To reject Christ is to reject the only means of redemption.Scripture Luke 22:14–20 — “This cup is the new covenant in my blood…”Romans 8:1–5 — “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”Hebrews 8–10 — Jesus as the mediator of a better covenant.Illustration The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Edmund is guilty. Aslan takes his place. Aslan rises. The gospel in story form. We are Edmund. Christ is the true and better Aslan. Main Takeaway The New Covenant shows the fullness of God’s faithfulness. We are not saved by our performance but by Christ’s finished work. The covenant stands secure because He holds it.

    28 min
  2. 10/29/2025

    The Promises of God, Covenant of David

    This episode explores how God established an eternal throne through His covenant with David—a promise that pointed beyond an earthly kingdom to the reign of Christ. From Israel’s rebellion in Judges to the hope of Jesus as the Son of David, this covenant reveals God’s plan for a kingdom that will never end. Key Themes 1. From Chaos to Covenant Israel’s demand for a king came from wanting to be like other nations, not from trusting God’s leadership. Yet God, rich in mercy, raised up David—a man after His own heart—to lead His people. 2. The Promise of an Eternal Kingdom In 2 Samuel 7:12–13, God promises David that his house and throne will last forever. This covenant shaped Israel’s hope for a Messiah and finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the eternal King. 3. The Sign: Crown and Throne David’s throne became the emblem of God’s promise. Isaiah 55:3–5 expands this covenant to include all nations, revealing God’s plan to bring Gentiles into His kingdom through Christ. 4. The Holy Place: Mount Moriah On the same mountain where Abraham offered Isaac, David built an altar and Solomon built the temple. Moriah became a place of sacrifice, kingdom, and salvation—pointing to Jesus, the true Lamb. 5. Temporary Defeat, Eternal Hope Though David’s descendants failed and the kingdom fell, God’s promise endured. The earthly throne gave way to the eternal reign of Christ, the true Son of David. Takeaway The Davidic Covenant shows that God’s kingdom is built not on human perfection but on divine promise. David’s story points us to Jesus—the greater King who reigns forever and invites us to share in His kingdom.

    23 min

About

We’re all a work in progress—and that’s okay. On the Halfway There Podcast, Nick, a youth pastor and Brian, an adult leader, sit down to explore biblical topics with honesty, humor, and a heart to grow. Through real conversations, Scripture, and shared life experiences, we hope to encourage fellow believers who feel like they’re still “in process.” Whether you’re leading students, volunteering in ministry, or just trying to follow Jesus in everyday life, we’re here to walk with you… halfway there.