Focused on Christ

Focused on Christ
  • 5.0 (56)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Focused on Christ is dedicated to exalting Christ and equipping the church. Hosted by Mike Crump and Dr. Nathan Smith, Focused on Christ looks at topics and issues facing the Christian church and filters them through the Word of God. As pastors, Mike and Nathan can help navigate theology, current events, and relational issues that crop up in and around the church in order that followers of Jesus are prepared for living the gospel life among the nations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning on all podcasting platforms as well as YouTube and X.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep. 171: What are the Mysteries of God?

    Ep 171: What are the Mysteries of God? | Focused on ChristHosts Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into 1 Corinthians 4 to explore what Paul means by "the mysteries of God" and how church leaders are called to steward them. They discuss human intrigue with the unknown, counteracting pride through the Gospel, and the posture of biblical stewardship.

  2. Aug 25

    Ep. 170: Is Carnal Christianity a Thing?

    Is Carnal Christianity a Thing? | Focused on Christ Ep. 170 In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith walk through 1 Corinthians Chapter 3. Together, they tackle the difficult questions surrounding church division, spiritual maturity, and the true role of pastors and leaders within the body of Christ. When is it appropriate to leave a church, and how should it be handled? What is the difference between an embattled Christian wrestling with the flesh versus someone living a lifestyle of carnal Christianity? Join the conversation as Mike and Nathan break down Paul's contrast of spiritual milk versus solid food, warn against the dangers of leader worship, and examine what it means to build your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ using gold, silver, and precious stones rather than fleshly wood, hay, and stubble.

  3. Aug 18

    Ep. 169: The Foundational Message of the Church

    Join Pastor Nathan and Mike as they open up 1 Corinthians 2 to discuss the foundational message of the church. What did Paul mean when he said he "decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." Does that mean we can't teach anything else? How does that correspond to instructing the church about marriage, family, work, government, etc?

  4. Aug 11

    Ep. 168: What's Up with the Church in Corinth?

    Summer is coming to a close, and host Mike Crump is back in the studio with Dr. Nathan Smith! After sharing a few summer updates—including a wild story about battling elephants before church in East Africa—Mike and Nathan jump into a brand-new study on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Why are Paul's epistles so vital for the Christian life? In this episode, we explore the background of the church in Corinth, the danger of church division and tribalism, and why the "foolishness" of the cross is actually the power and wisdom of God.

  5. Jun 9

    Ep. 167: Church Unity & Gospel Proclamation

    Welcome to Focused on Christ, a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church. In this episode, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into the final chapters of the Book of Romans (Chapters 15 and 16) to explore powerful themes of Christian unity, humility, and the global proclamation of the Gospel. As they wrap up their study before taking a summer break, Mike and Nathan unpack what it truly means for the "strong" to bear with the weak, how God uses personal relationships to spread His message, and the powerful hope found in Paul's closing doxology. True Strength is Humility: Following Christ's example means giving up our own rights for the sake of others. The Medium is the Person: God didn't just write His message in the sky; He embodies it through personal relationships and flesh-and-blood messengers. A Call to Harmony: Christian unity isn't just about getting along—it reflects the very nature and goodness of God to a fractured world.

  6. Jun 2

    Ep. 166: The Tension between Freedom and Conviction

    Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church. In this episode, host Mike Crump sits down with Pastor Nathan Smith to dive deep into Romans 14 and tackle a reality every believer faces: handling disagreements on secondary, non-essential issues within the church. How do we balance our freedom in Christ with our personal convictions without causing a brother or sister to stumble? Whether it’s navigating historical and cultural flashpoints like alcohol, observing specific traditions, or managing differences in personal preferences, Paul’s letter to the Romans gives us a clear guiding principle: everything we do must be motivated by a desire to honor and worship the Lord. Join us as we discuss: Normalizing disagreements among redeemed, spirit-filled believers. The difference between the Judgment Seat of God and the White Throne Judgment. How rushing someone into freedom before they are ready can be a dangerous stumbling block. Why violating your own conscience—or acting without faith—can lead to sin. Don't waste your freedom to offend or divide; instead, learn how to steward it to bless and build up the body of Christ. If you have questions or want to connect with the ministry, visit our website at https://focusedonchrist.com. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend!

  7. May 26

    Ep. 165: Submitting to Authority

    In Episode 165 of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump sits down with Pastor Nathan Smith to tackle a topic that impacts every believer: our posture toward governing authorities. Diving into Romans 13, they explore what it means to "be subject to the governing authorities" —even when those structures are deeply flawed, corrupt, or staffed by fallen people. Pastor Nathan breaks down the historical context of the Apostle Paul writing under the hostile Roman Empire and addresses tough questions: Is authority inherently evil? When is a Christian permitted to resist the government? And how should we view paying taxes when funds might be used for things that grieve us? Finally, the discussion shifts to the urgent call in Romans 13 to "wake from sleep" —reminding us that our ultimate call is not to political activism, but to personal holiness, obedience, and casting off the works of darkness. Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church. If this episode blessed you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a friend! For more resources, visit focusedonchrist.com. Key Timestamps0:00 – Introduction & The Political Climate of the Early Church 2:15 – Romans 13:1 & The Sovereignty of God Over Kings 4:00 – Is Authority Evil? (Distinguishing Wielding vs. Structure) 5:50 – Good vs. Evil Policies: Straight Lines and Jagged Lines 7:45 – When Can a Christian Resist Authority? 8:30 – Conscience, Taxes, and Government Spending 12:00 – Waking From Sleep: The Call to Holiness and Christ 15:00 – Eternal Governance vs. Earthly Structures

  8. May 19

    Ep. 164: What does it mean to be a "Living Sacrifice"?

    Can we really live out the Gospel in our daily lives and relationships?In this episode of Focused on Christ, host Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Romans 12. After exploring the profound theological mysteries and sovereignty of God in chapters 1 through 11, the Apostle Paul transitions directly into practical sanctification. Pastor Nathan and Mike unpack what it truly means to present ourselves as a "living sacrifice" —a daily process of dying to self, renewing our minds, and refusing to let the world mold our affections. They also discuss:Discovering Spiritual Gifts: Why we should stop waiting to feel "competent" online and instead step into serving through humility and sacrifice. Handling Conflict: How the Gospel transforms how we treat fellow believers and how we respond to a hostile world. The "Burning Coals" Mystery: What Paul actually means when he tells us to bless our enemies and leave vengeance to the Lord. If you've ever struggled to find God's daily will for your life or wanted to know how to live peaceably with others, this deep dive is for you. Next Week: We will explore our relationship with the government as we move into Romans 13! Read ahead and send us your questions. 👉 Connect with Us:Visit focusedonchrist.com to share your stories or ask questions. Focused on Christ is a ministry of Heritage Baptist Church.

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5
out of 5
56 Ratings

About

Focused on Christ is dedicated to exalting Christ and equipping the church. Hosted by Mike Crump and Dr. Nathan Smith, Focused on Christ looks at topics and issues facing the Christian church and filters them through the Word of God. As pastors, Mike and Nathan can help navigate theology, current events, and relational issues that crop up in and around the church in order that followers of Jesus are prepared for living the gospel life among the nations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning on all podcasting platforms as well as YouTube and X.

Information

  • Creator
    Focused on Christ
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    178
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Focused on Christ
  • Show Website
    Focused on Christ

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