Episode 30.  In this episode, we talk about Bible translations and discuss these questions: Why are there so many Bible translations?How do I choose a Bible translation?Why do you use the ESV? Lifeway Bible Translation Continuum Chart   Pastor Zach’s Bible translation recommendations for everyday use: ESVNASBNLTKJVNKJVNIVCSBHosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 29.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines and today we talk about fasting. What is it?What is the purpose of fasting?How do we fast?Why, in the Baptist denomination, do we not fast? Generally, it is not taught or practiced much. Why is that?Can I change God’s mind by fasting?How often should I fast?   Recommended Reading: Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney A Hunger for God by John Piper   Sermon on Fasting: Fasting According to Jesus – Pastor Zach Vaughn – August 27,2023.   Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 28.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of prayer where we answer several questions on prayer: If God is sovereign and His will is supreme, why pray? What difference does it make?Does God change His mind? Can my prayers change His mind?Why do people always say “in Jesus’ name” at the end of their prayers?Why do I struggle to stay focused while praying? I fall asleep or my mind wanders.I get overwhelmed with all the things to pray for. When I see a prayer list, I feel defeated or it becomes rote to pray though. Any advice?How do I know if it is God speaking to me….or just indigestion? Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC. Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 27.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on the spiritual disciplines.  This is part 1 of the discipline of prayer. We break it down like this: What is prayer?Practicing the discipline of prayer.Practical helps for your prayer life.Book Recommendations: Prayer by Timothy Keller The Valley of Vision  A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller Every Moment Holy by Douglas Kaine McKelvey    Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC. Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 26. As we enter Holy Week, we discuss Easter and the significance of the resurrection for us as followers of Christ. What is it that Christians celebrate on Easter?What is the importance of the resurrection?Why do you think we don’t celebrate Easter as much as other holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, etc.? Scripture references: 1 Corinthians 15:12-191 Corinthians 15:20-23Ephesians 1:19Romans 8:11   Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode. Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 25. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “How do I know if I am really saved?”   1.  First, do you understand the gospel? https://www.machiasvalley.org/the-gospel Romans 3:21-26; Hebrews 6:19-20; Galatians 3:26; John 10:27-30; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:13 Sealed with the Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:22   2.  If yes, then you can know you are really saved because God’s Word declares you are saved. Adoption – Galatians 3:26Union with Christ – Romans 5:11Gifts from the Father to the Son – John 10:27-30; 17:11, 20-21Read 1 John 3.  There is evidence or fruit of salvation. Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22-23Love for God – Mark 12:30Love for other Christians – John 13:35, Colossians 1:4,8; I JohnMortification of/grief over sin – Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 6; Romans 8:13-16 Alistair Begg video  Assurance  - article by The Gospel Coalition   Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.   Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 24. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: “Apostasy? Can you lose your salvation? Or were you never really saved to begin with? Respected Christians are on both sides of this debate so how should it be taught in church?” Scripture references:  2 Thessalonians 2:3; Acts 21:21; Hebrews 6:4-8; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:15-16; Romans 10:13; 1 John 5:13   The Greek word apostasia is used two times: “a falling away, defection, apostasy” 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – a falling away (KJV) “apostasy” (NAS) “rebellion” (ESV)Acts 21:21 – forsake (KJV) Similar word apostasion is used three times: “1. divorce, repudiation; 2. a bill of divorce” Matthew 5:31, Matthew 19:7, Mark 10:4 – all used when Jesus was addressing the issues of marital divorce Based on this, apostasy is leaving the faith. Rejection of Christ. Rebellion against God.  It is the opposite of repentance (turning from sin to Christ).  Apostasy is turning away from Christ to sin.   Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.   Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 23.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines.  This is part 2 of the discipline of the Word.   Bible Reading Plans   Use Martin Luther’s Method: Instruction – What does this passage tell me to do?Praise – How does this passage make me worship God?Confession – How does this passage call me to confess the way that I failed?Petition – Ask for the Spirit to help you walk in obedience.  ESV app   Recommended Reading on our website   The Gospel Coalition free courses   Charles Simeon Trust courses   For the Church Institute courses   Help Me Teach the Bible with Nancy Guthrie podcast   Knowing Faith podcast   Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 22.  In this episode, we continue our Theology Talk series on spiritual disciplines and we are starting with the discipline of the Word. What is the biblical basis for devoting ourselves to the discipline of the Word?What does it look like?How does the discipline of the Word transform us? Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney Scripture References:  Psalm 119, Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 3:14-16 Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC Submit your questions at https://www.machiasvalley.org/questions.

Episode 21. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on February 11, 2024 on Mark 6:30-44, "A Compassionate Shepherd."    Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions.   Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Episode 20.  In this episode, we are introducing a series of Theology Talks over the next several episodes on spiritual disciplines. What do we mean by spiritual disciplines? What is the biblical basis for why we should commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines? What are some spiritual disciplines? Book Recommendation: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney Scripture Reference:  1 Timothy 4:7 Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Episode 19. In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener: "What is your take on head coverings and the cutting of hair?"  Pastor Zach explains the use of hermeneutics (the right interpretation of Scripture) and how to use the COMA method.   C - Context O - Observation  M - Meaning A - Application Scripture references:  1 Corinthians 11:2-6 Recommended resources:  Bible Study: A Student's Guide Do you have questions about the Bible or living out your faith? Submit your question at www.machiasvalley.org/questions and we will try to answer in a future episode.   Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC

Episode 18. This is a sermon follow up episode from the sermon Pastor Zach preached on January 21, 2024 on Mark 6:14-29.  Do you have questions? You can submit them on our website at www.machiasvalley.org/questions. Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Episode 17.  In this episode, we answer a question submitted by a listener, “How do you answer someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus but is hurt by the church or refuses to gather with the church?” Scripture references: Hebrews 10:25Matthew 16:17-20Matthew 18:15-20Matthew 22:36-40Mark 10:29-30Ephesians 5:25 Book recommendation:  Called to Stay: An Uncompromising Mission to Save Your Church by Caleb Breakey   Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

This episode is a Theology Talk on church covenant. What is a church covenant? What is the purpose of a church covenant?  MVBC's Church Covenant -  www.machiasvalley.org/about Book Recommendation: I Am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference by Thom Rainer   Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor of MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications of MVBC

Episode 15. We recently wrapped up a sermon series on the book of Ruth here at MVBC. In this episode, Pastor Zach recaps the entire story of Ruth and gives us two major takeaways from this Old Testament book of the Bible. Chapter 1 - Story about a family from BethlehemChapter 2 - Gleaning in Boaz's fieldChapter 3 - Scene at the winnowing floorChapter 4 - The conversation between Boaz and the closer kinsman-redeemerThe Old Testament is pointing to the person and work of Jesus ChristThe doctrine of redemptionCovenantal kindness/love (chesed)The geneology/offspring - the line of David Two Takeaways from the book of Ruth: 1. God can work through the most broken and dark periods in your life. He can redeem even the most broken situations. 2. The true Redeemer in Bethlehem is Jesus, who like Ruth, repent and follow the Lord.   Hosts:  Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications at MVBC

Episode 14.  Happy New Year!  In this episode, we look back on 2023 and celebrate some of the good things that happened this year in three spheres - culturally, in the life of our church, and personally. In addition, we mention some of the resources that have been most helpful for us over the past year.  Recommended Resources Pastor Zach's Recommendations: Bible Talk PodcastPrayer by Timothy KellerGentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Andrea's Recommendations: Ministry Wives PodcastKnowing Faith PodcastRebecca McLaughlinPaige BrownA Praying Life by Paul MillerTrusting God by Jerry BridgesDon't Waste Your Sports by CJ Mahaney

Episode 13. Merry Christmas!  In this special Christmas episode, we have some fun talking about why Christmas is special for us and what makes it extra special for followers of Christ.  Fun Questions: What is your favorite Christmas tradition in your family?What is one of your most memorable Christmases and why?What is your favorite Christmas carol? What is your favorite part of the Christmas story?Why is Christmas so important for Christians? Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus - Meredith Andrews   Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

Episode 12. Why does the New Testament start with a genealogy? Why is this important for the story of Christmas? Matthew 1 Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC www.machiasvalley.org/leadership

This episode is a Theology Talk on the “missional.”  What does it mean to be missional as a Christian? What does it mean to live on mission? Hosts: Zach Vaughn, Senior Pastor, MVBC and Andrea Lyford, Director of Education & Communications, MVBC www.machiasvalley.org/leadership