Further

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Episode 128: The Paraclete Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s Further, Brenton and Chris dive deep into Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14 and why it was actually to the disciples’ advantage that He go away. They unpack how the Spirit continues Jesus’ ministry today as our advocate, comforter, counselor, and friend, and why so many believers either overlook or misunderstand His work. Chris explains how our cultural views, busyness, and fear of surrender often keep us from walking in step with the Spirit. The two also talk about practical ways to listen, study Scripture in community, and depend on the Spirit daily. They close by contrasting the world’s temporary peace with the lasting peace Jesus offers through His Spirit, even when life feels uncertain.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

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Episode 127: Let Go and Get God Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Further, Brenton Grimm sits down with pastors Clay Baker and Matt Mitchell to talk about why prayer can feel difficult and how we can grow in it. They unpack common struggles like self-reliance, distraction, and routine prayers that feel empty, and share practical ways to experience real intimacy with God. The conversation also clarifies Jesus’ promise that believers will do “greater works,” explaining that it’s about the Spirit’s power working through ordinary people, not outdoing Jesus Himself. Clay and Matt encourage faithfulness in everyday life — from parenting to ordinary service — and show how true joy and lasting impact flow from abiding in Christ. They wrap up with practical tips for a richer prayer life, like praying Scripture, journaling, and starting your quiet time with prayer.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 126 - Untroubled by Trouble Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Further, Brenton and Chris dive into John 14 and talk about why faith isn’t just a blind “leap” but a confident trust rooted in evidence and God’s character. They explore how belief goes beyond intellectual agreement and is really about a personal relationship of love and trust with Christ. The conversation also clears up common misconceptions about heaven—reminding us that it’s ultimately about being with Jesus, not just escaping pain or gaining comfort. They wrap up by tackling Jesus’ bold claim, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” and what it means to hold to that truth with both boldness and gentleness in today’s culture.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 125: Turning the World Right Side Up Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Further, Brenton and Chris trace how the early church grew from a few thousand believers into the most influential movement of its time. They look at Acts 2:42 and discuss how faithful teaching, persecution, adoption, generosity, and unity fueled the spread of the gospel. Chris unpacks the balance between God’s holiness and His love, pointing to the cross as the perfect display of both. Together they explore Jesus’ command to love one another within the church, what that means for evangelism, and how to handle conflict in a biblical way. The conversation closes with a look at Peter’s zeal, his failure, and the encouragement that God still works through imperfect people.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 124: People of the Towel, Part 2 Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

After a heavy week in the life of the church, Brenton and Chris reflect on why some conversations are best saved for later and clarify Chris’s call to “listen to your pastors more”—not to exclude outside voices, but to prioritize the shepherds who know and oversee you. From John 13 and Mark 10, they unpack Jesus’ model of servant leadership: authority restrained for the good of others. They probe how pride hides in “helping” that centers ourselves, and offer everyday diagnostics—how we react when help isn’t appreciated, our craving for recognition, and the quiet entitlement that leaks out under pressure. Practical steps follow: invite trusted people to speak truth, stay rooted in prayer and Scripture, set healthy boundaries with difficult relationships, and remember we ultimately serve the Lord. The episode closes with Jesus’ promise in John 13:17—why humble service may not always feel “happy,” but it brings a deeper, durable blessedness of meaning, joy, and fulfillment.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 123: People of the Towel, Part 1 Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

On this weeks episode, Brenton and Chris dive into John 13—why Jesus washed feet, why we don’t treat it as an ongoing ordinance, and what that means for serving one another today. They push back on the notion of a stoic Jesus, showing from Scripture that His full humanity includes real, expressed emotion—especially in the hours before the cross. Chris unpacks why Jesus sometimes speaks cryptically and how God uses “dark night of the soul” seasons (think Peter) to humble and form His people. The conversation explores “God is love,” how love relates to wrath, and why Jesus washing Judas’s feet fuels our call to love enemies. Finally, they clarify the difference between the once-for-all cleansing we have in Christ and the daily confession that restores relational closeness with the Father.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 122: All In for the One Spiritual Gifts, Part 2 Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

In week two of our All In mini-series, Brenton and Chris unpack spiritual gifts—are they natural skills, Spirit-given abilities, or both—and land on this: the Spirit himself empowers whatever builds up the body (1 Cor. 12:7). They walk through ability, affinity, and affirmation as a helpful grid, noting how character and community confirmation shape our callings. The guys also tackle receiving help, showing how letting others serve us glorifies God and strengthens the church. On burnout, Chris urges honest limits, prayerful dependence (1 Pet. 4:11), and wisdom from the body to avoid both over- and under-serving. They close by pointing to the unity-and-growth vision of Ephesians 4 and preview John 13’s foot-washing for next week.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 121: All In for the One Spiritual Gifts, Part 1 Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Brenton sits down with Chris Carr to continue the All In conversation and explore the topic of spiritual gifts. Chris shares updates on recent campus projects while reminding us that the campaign is more about transformation than facilities. The two discuss how every believer is gifted by the Spirit, not necessarily with new abilities, but with Spirit-empowered natural talents meant to build up the church. They also wrestle with questions around spiritual gift tests, miraculous gifts like tongues and healing, and the importance of using gifts faithfully rather than ranking them. The conversation closes with practical insight on how Harmony can help people step into their gifting and why the church suffers when members don’t use what God has given them.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 120: One Good God Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

This week on Further, Brenton Grimm sits down with Clay Baker and Matt Mitchell to unpack John 12 and its themes of light, mercy, and judgment. Clay focused on the oneness of the Trinity, while Matt highlighted four reasons Jesus came—so that we might see the Father, walk in the light, experience mercy, and gain life. Together they addressed the tension in Jesus’ words, “I did not come to judge,” showing how mercy now points to a future judgment and our present call to confront sin with gentleness. The conversation also dug into early church debates over Arianism, why the Trinity remains essential today, and the implications of heresies like Mormonism or Oneness theology. Finally, the group considered how light versus darkness shapes evangelism, how fear of man keeps many silent, and how remembering Jesus’ full divinity fuels boldness in the Christian life.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

Episode 119: When Tragedy Becomes Victory Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

This week on Further, Brenton Grimm is joined by regular guest Nathan Williams along with first-time guest Coleman Reed and Kyle Knoll, who recently preached at Harmony Bible Church’s Fort Madison and Burlington campuses. The group dives into John 12, exploring themes like the hardness of heart, God’s glory, and the meaning of Jesus drawing “all people” to Himself. They discuss the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, using examples from Isaiah, Pharaoh, and personal ministry experiences to show how unbelief and rejection of Christ play out. Practical takeaways include how believers can guard against living for their own glory, respond when others resist the gospel, and keep the cross central in daily life. The conversation wraps with encouragement to persevere in faith and evangelism, trusting God to soften hearts in His timing.

Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org

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