Welcome to the 411

Raymond Brown, Clarence Matthews, North Clinton Ave Church of Christ

Get a breath of sound scriptural knowledge! Our podcast includes impacting, powerful lessons & studies from God's Word, The Holy Bible. The dynamic power of God's word is sharp and effective, it will inspire, sanctify, edify, renew and much much more. Take the journey of growth by listening to sound biblical teaching that will strengthen your relationship with our God and Father. For non-christians seeking to learn more about God and His word, we hope that you find that the Holy Bible is from God who is Spirit, and that Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for us all, yes you also, is the only way to receive salvation from spiritual death, the power of evil, and eternal separation from God.Thank you!

  1. 2d ago

    How To Stand Firm Against Spiritual Attack

    Send us Fan Mail A roaring lion doesn’t announce itself to entertain you, it announces itself to intimidate you. We talk through what the Bible actually says about the devil’s strategy and why so many of us feel spiritually worn down over time, not through one dramatic moment but through slow drift, distraction, and weakened resolve. We build the message around 1 Peter 5:8-9, where Peter gives a clear, timeless command: be sober, be vigilant, and resist the devil steadfast in the faith. That line becomes the practical center of the conversation. We unpack what “steadfast faith” looks like in real life, how faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and why spiritual seriousness does not cancel joy and peace in the Lord. We also connect the dots to assurance of salvation and being kept by God’s power through faith, so confidence is rooted in God’s promise rather than our feelings. From there, we widen the lens to spiritual warfare and why Ephesians 6:12 matters: the battle is not ultimately against flesh and blood. The enemy’s intent is not mild inconvenience but devastation, echoing Jesus’ warning in John 10 about stealing, killing, and destroying. The good news is that the remedy is not complicated or performative. We don’t fight in our own strength. We submit to God, resist the devil, and trust the victory of Jesus Christ at the cross, where He triumphs over spiritual powers. If you’re searching for biblical protection from the devil, how to resist temptation, or how to stand firm in Christian faith, this is a grounded place to start. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs steadiness, and leave a review with the line that challenged you most. Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

  2. Oct 14

    A Gospel With Power

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of us can talk about the gospel, defend the gospel, even argue about the gospel. The harder question is whether we actually believe the kind of gospel Paul describes, the one that arrives “not in word only,” but with power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction. We open 1 Thessalonians and use it as a New Testament pattern to measure our own faith, our preaching, and the spiritual health of the church. We dig into why a purely verbal Christianity falls short. If the gospel is reduced to slogans, scripts, or a creed we recite, it may sound clean but it will not produce mature disciples. Paul points us to something alive and dynamic, a message that changes behavior, shapes character, and creates an “exciting pilgrimage” of becoming Christlike. That is where the Thessalonians challenge us: their actions back up their words. We also talk plainly about evangelism and church growth. When we rely on charisma, public relations, or machinery, we can end up with results we can explain in human terms, and miss the supernatural work God intends. Remembering the Holy Spirit’s involvement keeps us from panic and pressure. It helps us face rejection without feeling alone, and it keeps us from trying to force “green fruit” decisions before hearts are ready. If you care about biblical preaching, Christian living, discipleship, and a gospel that is actually lived in the present world, this message will push you toward deeper assurance and stronger faith. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

  3. Oct 7

    Exploring Ephesians 3 And The Dimensions Of Divine Love

    Send us Fan Mail Love is one of the most used words in faith, and one of the least explored. We turn to Ephesians 3:17-19 and slow down long enough to feel the weight of Paul’s prayer: that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith and that we become rooted and grounded in love. From there, we trace the “dimensions” of the love of Christ, not as poetry for a greeting card, but as a map for spiritual growth and real Christian living. We talk through what it means to say God’s love is as broad as humanity, reaching the whole world, and as high and deep as the story of Christ Himself. We also face the honest tension in the text: Paul points to a “knowledge surpassing” love, something our minds cannot fully measure. That limitation is not defeat, it is an invitation. We may not be able to gauge Christ’s love, but we can enjoy it and learn it experimentally as we begin to show it. Then we get practical with 1 John 4. If God so loved us, we ought to love one another, and that command exposes the gap between what we say and what we do. We dig into the difference between love and the feeling of love, and we lean into the hope of “Christ in you, the hope of glory”: when we cannot love on our own, Christ in us can. If you want a deeper walk by faith and a clearer picture of what Christian love looks like under pressure, press play, then subscribe, share, and leave a review. What relationship is God calling you to love with His love today? Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

  4. Sep 30

    How James 5 Calls The Church To Restore

    Send us Fan Mail People don’t always walk away from faith with a dramatic goodbye. Sometimes they just fade out, miss for weeks, and reappear like nothing happened. We sit with that uncomfortable reality and let James 5:19–20 set the agenda: the church is called to go after the drifter, not to shame them, not to score points, but to restore them with serious love. We talk about backsliding as spiritual drift from Christian truth and fellowship with God, and why that drift is dangerous even when it looks ordinary. Christian truth isn’t just knowledge or a debate topic; it’s moral truth that shows up in how we live. That means restoration can’t be solved by sarcasm, scolding, or pretending absence doesn’t matter. If we’re truly the body of Christ, we learn to notice, to ask, and to care. Then we get practical about church restoration and pastoral care. James doesn’t hand us a script, but the path is clear: intercessory prayer, sound teaching, honest confrontation that stays human, friendship that doesn’t quit, and real acceptance when someone returns. We also reflect on the rewards for both sides, including a moving story about how the deepest “pay” is seeing someone come to know Jesus because you didn’t give up. If you’re trying to help someone come back, or you’re the one who needs a way home, listen through to the end. Subscribe for more, share this with someone who needs encouragement, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

    How James 5 Calls The Church To Restore
  5. May 21

    Treasure In Clay

    Send us Fan Mail What if the most honest thing you can say about yourself is also the most hopeful: “I’m a clay vessel”? We lean into the year’s theme, “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” and walk through 2 Corinthians 4 to uncover why God chooses ordinary, fragile people to carry an extraordinary treasure. We talk about the “veiled gospel” and the reality of spiritual blindness, including how the “god of this world” keeps minds from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. From there, we shift to the simple but life-changing remedy: Jesus as the Light of the World. When His light shines into darkness, it brings freedom, clarity, and new life. That is why our message cannot be about self, platforms, or performance. We don’t preach ourselves. We point to Christ as Lord. Then we bring it home with the promise and the challenge of “treasure in earthen vessels.” Our bodies are dust-born, our strength can fail, and the temptation is real to trust worldly resources, shiny security, or human reinforcement. But God’s design is better: His power shows up as unmistakably His, especially in weakness, endurance, and long obedience. If you need strength for the battle, patience for the long road, or courage to stop leaning on the world, this conversation will meet you there. Subscribe for more, share this with someone who needs steady hope, and leave a review telling us what it means to you to trust Christ within. Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

  6. Mar 30

    When The Thorn In The Flesh Becomes A Gift

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of us have a prayer we’ve repeated so many times we can say it without thinking: “God, take this away.” We go to 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 because Paul is honest enough to admit he begged for relief too, and wise enough to share what happened when the answer wasn’t removal. The “thorn in the flesh” is painful, personal, and persistent, but it also exposes something we don’t like to confess: success and spiritual gifts can grow a quiet pride, and God loves us enough to keep us grounded. We talk through the heart of the passage, including God’s reply: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” That line reframes everything. Grace is not just a concept; it’s sustaining power when your body feels frail, when your mind feels pressed, when you’re facing reproach, persecution, need, or distress. We unpack what it means to stop relying on our own strength, to surrender control, and to let God’s strength be the thing people actually see. We also explore Paul’s surprising conclusion: he chooses to boast in weakness so the power of Christ may rest on him. We connect that to real life, including those narrow seasons where it feels hard to breathe, and the simple act of holding on to Jesus like the woman who reached for the hem of His garment. If you’re wrestling with your own thorn in the flesh, this conversation offers Christian encouragement, biblical perspective, and a steadier way to pray. Subscribe for more biblical teaching, share this with someone who needs strength in weakness, and leave a review so more people can find the message of God’s sufficient grace. Visit Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NorthClintonAvenueChurchOfChrist

About

Get a breath of sound scriptural knowledge! Our podcast includes impacting, powerful lessons & studies from God's Word, The Holy Bible. The dynamic power of God's word is sharp and effective, it will inspire, sanctify, edify, renew and much much more. Take the journey of growth by listening to sound biblical teaching that will strengthen your relationship with our God and Father. For non-christians seeking to learn more about God and His word, we hope that you find that the Holy Bible is from God who is Spirit, and that Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for us all, yes you also, is the only way to receive salvation from spiritual death, the power of evil, and eternal separation from God.Thank you!