Marked by Grace

Latest Episodes:

Responding to a Friend Who Cusses Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

What does the Bible say about cursing, and how should a Christian respond when a close friend uses foul language? In this episode, Pastor Heath Lambert tackles that exact question with practical wisdom rooted in Scripture. Whether the friend is a believer or not changes the approach, but one thing is certain: the conversation has to happen.

0:17 - This week's question: How do I respond to a friend who cusses?

1:07 - Is cussing a sin? What the Bible says about foul language

1:16 - Ephesians 5:4 and the biblical standard for our speech

1:38 - The Christian conversation about provocative language in Scripture

4:46 - Practical ways to bring it up without damaging the friendship

5:22 - Using questions instead of accusations to open the door

6:50 - What to do in the worst-case scenario

7:32 - Does it matter whether your friend is a Christian or not?

7:53 - When a professing Christian continues in sin: testimony and accountability

9:04 - Final thoughts: relationships require honest conversation

Should Christians Ban the Muslim Call to Prayer? Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Should Christians support banning the Muslim call to prayer in American cities? Pastor Heath Lambert tackles this controversial question head-on, walking through the constitutional, theological, and practical objections before giving his own careful answer on Marked by Grace.

0:13 – This week's question: Should Christians ban the Muslim call to prayer?

0:51 – What is the Muslim call to prayer?

2:11 – Why these words are blasphemy, not just disagreement

4:48 – Why caution is needed on this issue

5:49 – Objection 1: The constitutional (First Amendment) argument

7:56 – Objection 2: The theological argument from religious liberty

10:23 – Objection 3: The practical argument from reciprocity

12:32 – Islam, secularism, and Christianity as competing worldviews

14:01 – Conclusion: engaging wisely in the public square

America at 250 Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

America turns 250 this July 4th -- and Christians have every reason to celebrate. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert opens Scripture to show why gratitude for America is not naive patriotism, but a biblical response to God's good gifts.

0:35 - Why talk about patriotism on a theology podcast?

1:56 - America is imperfect but still a good gift from God

2:27 - James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift comes from God

3:08 - Good gifts vs. perfect gifts -- what's the difference?

4:08 - The near-impossible odds the colonists faced in 1776

6:47 - "If heaven had not something great in store for America..." -- Lieutenant Shaw

7:40 - God was securing blessings for you before you were ever born

8:14 - Closing: Happy Independence Day

Blurred Lines Between Elders and Deacons Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

What is the difference between an elder and a deacon? Can a church function with just one pastor, or does the Bible require a plurality of elders? In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert tackles one of the most common points of confusion in church polity: the blurred lines between elders, pastors, and deacons.

0:13 - The question: confusion over elders and deacons

1:38 - The two offices ordained in the New Testament

2:43 - What deacons do: servants of the congregation's practical needs

3:18 - What elders/pastors do: servants of the Word and leaders of the church

4:19 - Where churches blur the lines between elders and deacons

5:44 - Elder-led vs. pastor-led: why that question is trickier than it sounds

7:18 - What the Bible says about plurality of elders

8:16 - The role most people overlook: congregational authority

9:18 - Matthew 18 and the congregation as the court of final appeal

10:23 - How faithful churches apply these principles differently

12:32 - The sufficiency of Scripture and freedom within firm biblical lines

Problems Too Big for Biblical Counseling? Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Is any problem too big for biblical counseling? Pastor Heath Lambert tackles one of the most important questions in Christian ministry -- and his answer might surprise you. Drawing on 2 Timothy 3:16-17, he explains why no problem is beyond the reach of God's Word while also making a crucial distinction that every counselor and counselee needs to hear.

0:13 - The Question: Are There Problems Too Big for Biblical Counseling?

2:15 - First Answer: No -- Here Is Why

4:43 - No Problem Is Too Big for God

5:32 - What 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Says About Scripture and Sufficiency

6:34 - Why This Question Only Exists in the Modern Era

7:16 - Second Answer: The Distinction That Might Surprise You

7:31 - Sufficient Resources vs. Sufficient Skill

7:54 - The Thanksgiving Dinner Illustration

10:00 - The Call to Grow in Biblical Counseling Skill

Can Satan Speak to the Minds of Christians? Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Can Satan directly speak to the minds of believers? This is one of the most urgent questions Christians wrestle with, and in this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert walks through what the Bible actually teaches about the devil's access to the hearts and minds of those who belong to Christ. If you've ever wondered whether that dark or destructive thought came from Satan himself, this episode is for you.

0:00 - Introduction

0:14 - The question: Can Satan speak to the minds of Christians?

1:27 - Job 1: Satan before God

2:26 - Matthew 4: Satan making arguments to Jesus in the wilderness

2:48 - John 13:27: Satan entering Judas

3:43 - The deeper question: Can Satan work internally in believers?

4:08 - 1 John 4:4: He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world

4:39 - 1 Peter 5:8: Be on guard - the devil is a roaring lion

5:05 - 2 Corinthians 11:14: Satan disguises himself as an angel of light

5:44 - What the devil can and cannot do to Christians

6:16 - Principalities, powers, and the spirit of the age

6:36 - Conclusion: The Holy Spirit's protection and illumination

Like this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how understanding the church as people rather than a place changes your perspective.

Is Family or Ministry First? Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Does family come before ministry? The Bible gives a clear and direct answer — and every pastor, church leader, or ministry spouse needs to hear it. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Heath Lambert walks through 1 Timothy 3 and Matthew 10:37 to answer one of the most common tensions in ministry life: when your family needs you, and your congregation needs you at the same time, who wins?

0:00 — Introduction: What comes first, family or ministry?

0:49 — The Bible has a clear answer

1:51 — 1 Timothy 3:2 — Marriage as a requirement for pastoral ministry

2:18 — 1 Timothy 3:4-5 — Managing your household well

2:41 — Why family priorities qualify (or disqualify) a minister

3:42 — An important distinction: ministry is not the same as Jesus

4:08 — Matthew 10:37 — Jesus comes before family

4:55 — Ministry faithfulness vs. discipleship with Jesus

5:03 — How following Jesus puts your priorities in order

What Is Hell? May 25, 2026

Show notes

What does the Bible actually teach about hell? In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert gives a clear, scripturally grounded answer to one of the most serious questions in the Christian faith. Drawing from Matthew 10:28, Matthew 16:18, Mark 9:43, and Luke 13:5, he outlines three things the Bible teaches about hell and closes with the urgent, hope-filled call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

If you have been wondering what hell is, whether it lasts forever, or what the Bible says about eternal judgment, this episode answers those questions directly and honestly.

0:14 This Week's Question: What Is Hell?

1:34 Point 1 - Hell Is a Place of Destruction and Judgment (Matthew 10:28)

2:30 Point 2 - Hell is a Power That Opposes Christ (Matthew 16:18)

3:56 Point 3 - Hell Is a Place of Eternal Conscious Torment (Mark 9:43)

4:19 The Controversy Over Whether Hell Lasts Forever

5:51 The Good News: Repentance and Grace Through Jesus (Luke 13:5)

6:14 Closing Call to Faith and Gratitude

What Is Heaven? May 18, 2026

Show notes

What is heaven? In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert gives a clear, biblical answer to one of the most important questions in the Christian life. Whether you are wrestling with grief, fear of death, or simply want to understand what Scripture teaches about eternity, this episode is for you.

0:00 - Introduction to the question: What is heaven?

1:13 - Heaven is a real, physical place (1 Peter 3:22)

2:15 - Heaven is where God is: Understanding the Trinity and divine omnipresence

4:10 - Heaven is where Christians go when they die (2 Corinthians 5:1)

5:10 - The new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1)

5:39 - Closing encouragement

How Do You Believe? May 11, 2026

Show notes

What does it actually mean to believe in Jesus? In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert breaks down the three essential components of genuine biblical faith: content (knowing the facts about Jesus), assent (agreeing that those facts are true), and personal trust (staking your life on what you believe). Drawing from Hebrews 11, this is a clear, pastoral answer to one of the most fundamental questions a person can ask.

0:13 - This week's question: How do you believe?

1:21 - Why faith matters: Hebrews 11:6 - Without faith it is impossible to please God

2:06 - The first element of faith: Content (knowing the facts)

3:45 - The second element of faith: Assent (intellectual agreement)

4:39 - The third element of faith: Personal trust and conviction

5:43 - Hebrews 11:1 - Faith as assurance and conviction of things not seen

6:18 - How faith changes your life: Hebrews 12:1-2

8:30 - Summary: What it truly means to believe