Questions Worth Answering Podcast

John C. Richards, Jr.
  • 5.0 (10)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to Questions Worth Answering, where we don't shy away from the hard questions about faith. Hosted by Pastor John, Connections of Saint Mark Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, this podcast is designed for men and women who want to wrestle with their faith honestly—whether you're a skeptic exploring Christianity, a seeker trying to make sense of Jesus, or a longtime believer who's never quite gotten a straight answer to questions you've been afraid to ask. Each week, we tackle one focused question about the Christian faith. Every episode is 5-10 minutes—short enough to listen on your commute, deep enough to challenge your thinking. Pastor John brings pithy, memorable statements and biblical clarity to help you grasp complex concepts and apply them to your life. If you're tired of surface-level answers and ready for substantive, biblical truth delivered with clarity and conviction, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe now and join the conversation.

Episodes

  1. JAN 26

    Season 2: Episode 004 (Why Did Jesus Have to Die?)

    Episode Notes:Key Takeaways: Jesus had to die because sin demands a payment, not just pardonThe cross satisfies two things at the same time: God's justice and God's loveJesus didn't die as a victim—he died as a substituteScripture References: Romans 6:23 - "The wages of sin is death"Romans 3:25-26 - Jesus as propitiation to show God's righteousness2 Corinthians 5:21 - "He made him to be sin who knew no sin"Romans 5:8 - "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"John 10:17-18 - "I lay down my life of my own accord"Isaiah 53:5 - "He was pierced for our transgressions"Galatians 2:20 - "The Son of God loved me and gave himself for me"Key Theological Concepts: Sin as Cosmic Treason: Sin isn't just a mistake—it's rebellion against a holy GodPropitiation: A payment that satisfies God's wrath against sinSubstitutionary Atonement: Jesus took our place and received our punishmentThe Great Exchange: Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousnessJustice and Love: The Cross doesn't choose between them—it satisfies both simultaneouslyThis Week's Question to Consider: Have you personally accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross? Or are you still trying to pay your own debt? Challenge: This week, reflect on the cross. Don't rush past it. Don't sanitize it. Don't take it for granted. Jesus died your death so you could live His life. Next Week: Did Jesus really rise from the dead? What's the evidence? --- Subscribe & Share: If this episode helped you understand the Bible better, share it with someone who needs to hear why Jesus had to die. New episodes every week. Quote to Remember: "Jesus died your death so you could live his life. He took your punishment so you could have his peace. He absorbed God's wrath so you could experience God's love."

    10 min

  2. JAN 19

    Season 2: Episode 003 (How Can Jesus Be Fully God and Fully Man?)

    Episode Notes:Key Takeaways: Jesus is 100% God and 100% human—two complete natures in one personJesus had to be fully God to bear the weight of our sin and fully human to represent us before GodThe incarnation isn't a problem to solve—it's a mystery to worshipScripture References: John 1:1, 14 - "The Word was God... and the Word became flesh"Colossians 2:9 - "In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily"Hebrews 2:17 - Jesus "had to be made like his brothers in every respect"Philippians 2:6-8 - Jesus took on the form of a servantKey Concepts: The Hypostatic Union: The theological term for Jesus' two natures united in one personWhy Fully God? Only God can bear infinite sin and offer infinite salvationWhy Fully Human? Only a human can represent humanity and be our substituteJesus as Mediator: He bridges the gap between holy God and sinful humanityThis Week's Question to Consider: Do you worship Jesus as fully God? Do you trust him as fully human? Both truths matter for your salvation. Challenge: Thank Jesus this week for being the perfect mediator—fully God to save you, fully human to represent you. Next Week: Why did Jesus have to die? Couldn't God just forgive us?

    10 min

  3. JAN 12

    Season 2: Episode 002 (Why Did Jesus Pray?)

    Episode Notes:Key Takeaways: Jesus prayed because he was fully human, not because he was less than God.Prayer isn't about informing God—it's about aligning with God.Jesus' prayer life shows us that communion with the Father is essential, not optional.Scripture References: Philippians 2:7 - Jesus "emptied himself" and took on "the form of a servant"Luke 5:16 - "Jesus often withdrew to desolate places and prayed"Luke 22:42 - Jesus in Gethsemane: "Not my will, but yours, be done"Matthew 6:10 - "Your kingdom come, your will be done"John 17 - Jesus' High Priestly PrayerHebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus as our High Priest who understands our weaknessesKey Concepts: The Incarnation: Jesus is fully God and fully humanPerfect Humanity: Jesus modeled what it looks like to be perfectly dependent on GodPrayer as Alignment: Prayer changes us by realigning our will with God's willThe Trinity: Jesus' prayers reveal the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy SpiritCommunion vs. Transaction: Prayer is relationship with God, not a wish listThis Week's Question to Consider: If Jesus, who is God, made prayer a priority, what does that say about your prayer life? Challenge: This week, follow Jesus' example. Withdraw to a quiet place. Spend time with the Father. Not to inform him, but to align with him. Next Week: How can Jesus be both fully God and fully man?

    8 min

  4. JAN 5

    Season 2: Episode 001 (Did Jesus Claim to Be God?)

    Episode Notes:Key Takeaways: Jesus didn't leave room for us to call him just a good teacher.The earliest documents we have show Jesus making divine claims.Jesus' followers worshiped him as God from the very beginning—and they were Jews who knew better.Scripture References: Mark 2 - Jesus forgives sins (authority that belongs only to God)John 8:58 - "Before Abraham was, I am" (claiming the divine name)John 10:30 - "I and the Father are one"John 8:24 - "Unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins"Philippians 2:6-11 - Early Christian hymn affirming Jesus' divinityJohn 20:28 - Thomas declares "My Lord and my God"Quotes: "A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with a man who says he's a poached egg—or he would be the devil of hell." - C.S. Lewis Historical Context: Gospel of Mark: written ~65-70 AD (within 35 years of Jesus' death)Paul's letters: 1 Corinthians written ~53-55 AD (20-25 years after Jesus)Philippians 2 hymn: possibly from the 40s AD (within 10-15 years)This Week's Question to Consider: If Jesus is who he claimed to be, what does that mean for your life today? Next Week: If Jesus is God, why did he pray? Connect with Pastor John-Connections Pastor Saint Mark Church - Little Rock, Arkansas Subscribe & Share: If this episode helped you wrestle with faith, share it with someone who has questions. New episodes every week.

    8 min
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Welcome to Questions Worth Answering, where we don't shy away from the hard questions about faith. Hosted by Pastor John, Connections of Saint Mark Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, this podcast is designed for men and women who want to wrestle with their faith honestly—whether you're a skeptic exploring Christianity, a seeker trying to make sense of Jesus, or a longtime believer who's never quite gotten a straight answer to questions you've been afraid to ask. Each week, we tackle one focused question about the Christian faith. Every episode is 5-10 minutes—short enough to listen on your commute, deep enough to challenge your thinking. Pastor John brings pithy, memorable statements and biblical clarity to help you grasp complex concepts and apply them to your life. If you're tired of surface-level answers and ready for substantive, biblical truth delivered with clarity and conviction, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe now and join the conversation.

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