Marked by Grace

Latest Episodes:

Is it a Lie to Sing a Hymn You Don't Believe? Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

A Quick Explanation of the Trinity Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Pastor Heath Lambert explains the doctrine of the Trinity using five foundational statements drawn directly from Scripture. Whether you are a new believer or a lifelong Christian who has always found the Trinity confusing, this episode gives you a concise, accessible framework to understand one of the most important truths about God

0:00 - Introduction to Marked by Grace

0:14 - Why the Trinity is hard to understand (and why that is a good thing)

2:00 - The five statements that explain the Trinity

3:05 - Statement 1: There is one God (Deuteronomy 6:4)

3:40 - Statement 2: The Father is God (John 20:17)

4:12 - Statement 3: The Son is God (Romans 9:5)

4:41 - Statement 4: The Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4)

5:23 - Statement 5: The three persons are distinct from one another

5:51 - The Great Commission and the Trinity (Matthew 28:19)

6:11 - How the five statements work together

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.

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

What Is Love? Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Love is more than a feeling and more than just action—it's both. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert draws from 1 John 4:9-11 to answer one of life's most fundamental questions: What is love? Discover how God's love was made manifest through Jesus Christ and how that same love should flow through us to others.

0:02 - Introduction to Marked by Grace

1:06 - Personal story: Six brain surgeries and years of recovery

1:48 - The most significant thing from that difficult season

2:08 - A new clarity about the love of God

2:31 - Encountering God's love in a life-changing way

3:04 - Key passage: 1 John 4:9-11

4:01 - Love is described, not just defined

4:31 - Definition: A heart of affection that leads to compassionate action

4:47 - The internal and external aspects of love

5:06 - Confusion about love: Is it feeling or action?

5:41 - God's internal affection made manifest

6:12 - The compassionate action: Sending Jesus into the world

6:34 - Looking at God to understand what love is

6:56 - Having received God's love, we love others

Key Topics Covered:

Personal testimony of encountering God's love during years of brain surgeries and recovery

How love is described rather than merely defined in Scripture

The internal aspect of love: a heart of affection

The external aspect of love: compassionate action

God's love made manifest through sending Jesus as propitiation for our sins

Why biblical love must include both feeling and action

How receiving God's love compels us to love one another

The connection between knowing God and demonstrating love

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

What is the Bible? Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

The Bible is more than just an ancient text—it's the breathed-out Word of God that transforms lives and reveals the path to salvation. In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert explores 2 Timothy 3:15-16 to answer one of Christianity's most fundamental questions: What is the Bible? Discover how Scripture functions as both a human and divine book, why it's intensely practical for daily living, and how its ultimate message points us to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Timestamps:

0:39 - What is the Bible? The question explored

0:52 - Key passage: 2 Timothy 3:15-16

1:25 - The Bible is a book: 66 books in one collection

2:34 - Written over thousands of years by prophets and apostles

2:58 - The Bible comes from God: Divine and human authorship

3:51 - All Scripture is breathed out by God

4:30 - What the Bible says, God says

4:54 - The Bible is intensely practical for daily life

5:15 - Profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness

5:56 - The Bible's ultimate purpose: revealing God and salvation

6:14 - Making us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ

6:26 - The message: How sinners can be saved by a holy God

Key Topics Covered:

- The structure of the Bible is 66 books across various genres, including history, prophecy, and epistles

- The dual authorship of Scripture—human writers inspired by divine authority

- How 2 Timothy 3:15-16 defines the nature and purpose of God's Word

- The practical application of Scripture for teaching, reproof, correction, and training

- The Bible's ultimate purpose: making us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ

- Why Scripture is the most important and wonderful book ever written

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Who Is God? Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Who is God? Pastor Heath Lambert presents six foundational truths from Scripture: God is real, spirit, creator, sovereign, perfect, and savior. This comprehensive teaching explains the nature of the God who made everything and offers salvation through Jesus Christ.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and the question

0:48 - The challenge: So much to say in 10 minutes

1:27 - Truth 1: God is real (Exodus 3:14)

2:20 - We all know God is real deep down

2:45 - Truth 2: God is spirit (John 4:24)

3:19 - Why invisibility doesn't defeat God's existence

3:44 - Truth 3: God is creator (Isaiah 40:28)

4:32 - Truth 4: God is sovereign (Psalm 115:3)

5:23 - The one being who does all He pleases

5:45 - Truth 5: God is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4)

6:32 - Why God's perfection matters

6:59 - Truth 6: God is our savior (Titus 3:4-6)

7:43 - The terrible reality: We are not perfect

8:21 - God's mercy through Jesus Christ

9:11 - Final answer: Knowing God through salvation

Key Topics Covered

- God's Reality - Exodus 3:14 and the self-existent "I Am"

- Universal Knowledge - Romans 1:19 and why everyone knows God exists

- God as Spirit - John 4:24 and why God is invisible to our eyes

- The Air Analogy - Why invisibility doesn't equal non-existence

- God as Creator - Isaiah 40:28 and everything made by God

- God's Sovereignty - Psalm 115:3 and divine control over all

- The Only One Who Pleases - Why God alone does whatever He desires

- God's Perfection - Deuteronomy 32:4 and complete righteousness

- Trust in God's Justice - Why we can have confidence in His reign

- Our Imperfection Problem - The contrast between God's perfection and our sin

- God as Savior - Titus 3:4-6 and salvation through grace not works

- The Gospel Path - How knowing ourselves as sinners leads to knowing God as Savior

- Complete Knowledge - How salvation opens the door to fully knowing God

Scripture References

Exodus 3:14 - God's name as "I Am Who I Am"

Romans 1:19 - What can be known about God is plain

John 4:24 - God is spirit

Isaiah 40:28 - The Lord as everlasting God and creator

Psalm 115:3 - Our God does all that He pleases

Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's work is perfect, all His ways are just

Titus 3:4-6 - God our Savior appeared in mercy through Christ

Like this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about which of these six truths about God most impacts you.

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

What Is Life? Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

What is life really? Pastor Heath Lambert explains that life is both a physical and spiritual reality - given by God, lost through sin, and restored through Jesus Christ. This foundational teaching clarifies what it means to be truly alive.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and the question

0:36 - Not philosophical, but basic and relevant

1:19 - Life is two things in Scripture

1:36 - Part 1: Life as physical reality

1:47 - Four categories: Non-living, organic, animated, reasonable

3:23 - Part 2: Life as spiritual reality

3:49 - Human beings: Physical body plus spiritual life

4:37 - Genesis 2:7: Dust plus breath equals living creature

5:26 - Both physical and spiritual life lost through sin

5:40 - Genesis 2:17: Warning about the tree

6:10 - Spiritual and physical death happen at different times

6:34 - Adam and Eve die spiritually immediately, physically later

7:14 - Life restored through Jesus Christ

8:18 - 1 Corinthians 15:22: In Adam all die, in Christ all made alive

9:06 - John 11: Believers live even though they die

9:23 - Final answer: Life from God, lost through sin, restored in Christ

Key Topics Covered

- Not Just Philosophy - Why this basic question matters practically

- Physical Life Categories - Non-living creatures, organic life, animated life, reasonable creatures

- The Daffodil and the Coyote - Examples of different levels of physical life

- Human Uniqueness - Why humans are more than just physical or animated

- Spiritual Life Defined - God's spirit in our physical body creating human life

- Genesis 2:7 Formula - Dust plus divine breath equals living creature

- Unspeakably Precious - The value of human life combining both aspects

- Life Lost Through Sin - Genesis 2:17 warning about death

- Two Deaths at Different Times - Spiritual death immediate, physical death eventual

- Born Spiritually Dead - Why we come into existence separated from God

- The Adam Connection - All humanity born into Adam's death

- Life Restored in Christ - 1 Corinthians 15:22 promise of resurrection

- Spiritual Life First - Believers made alive immediately before God

- Physical Life Later - The promise of resurrected bodies at Christ's return

Scripture References

Genesis 2:7 - God formed man from dust and breathed life into him

Genesis 2:17 - Warning about eating from the tree and death

1 Corinthians 15:22 - In Adam all die, in Christ all made alive

John 11:25 - Believers will live even though they die

Ephesians 2:1 - Born dead in trespasses and sins

About The Ten Commandments Book

Heath Lambert's new book "The Ten Commandments: A Short Book for Normal People" is now available. This accessible guide explains how God's commands apply to modern life without requiring theological education. Perfect for personal study, evangelism, or gifts to friends, neighbors, and family.

Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandments

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

What Is the Church? Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

What is the church really? Pastor Heath Lambert explains that the church isn't a building or a place - it's the blood-bought people of Jesus, both local and global, identified with Christ and accomplishing His purposes in the world. This foundational teaching clarifies what most Christians misunderstand.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and the question

0:40 - Most Christians would stumble on this answer

1:46 - The short answer begins with Jesus

1:56 - Titus 2:14: Jesus purified a people for Himself

2:42 - The church is the people of Jesus

3:27 - The church as an organic group, not a building

3:49 - 1 Corinthians 1:2: Two ways to talk about the church

4:35 - The local church in a specific place

4:59 - The global church in every place

5:56 - The church is identified with Jesus

6:12 - Acts 9:4: Persecuting the church is persecuting Jesus

7:24 - The church as the body of Christ

7:46 - Other metaphors: Bride, vine and branches

8:24 - The church accomplishes Jesus's purposes

8:42 - Ephesians 3:10: Making God's wisdom known

9:16 - 1 Timothy 3:15: Pillar and buttress of truth

Key Topics Covered

- Common Misunderstandings - Why most Christians can't properly define the church

- Jesus as Starting Point - Titus 2:14 and the foundation of the church

- Blood-Bought People - Those redeemed from lawlessness who trust in Christ

- Not a Building - Why the church is people, not places or structures

- Two Dimensions - Local assemblies and the global body of believers

- Local Church - Believers gathering in a specific geographic location

- Global Church - All believers across the world in every place

- Identified with Christ - Acts 9:4 showing Jesus's unity with His people

- Body of Christ - The church as Christ's organism in the world

- Bride of Christ - The marriage metaphor showing intimate unity

- Vine and Branches - Jesus as source, church dependent on Him

- Accomplishing His Purposes - How Jesus works through the church today

- Pillar of Truth - The church as God's means of proclaiming truth to the world

Scripture References

Titus 2:14 - Jesus purified a people for His own possession

1 Corinthians 1:2 - The church locally and globally

Acts 9:4 - Saul persecuting Jesus by persecuting the church

Ephesians 3:10 - God's wisdom made known through the church

1 Timothy 3:15 - The church as pillar and buttress of truth

About The Ten Commandments Book

Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandments

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Who Is Jesus? Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Who is Jesus Christ? Pastor Heath Lambert tackles the most important question in human history by explaining Jesus's person (fully God and fully man) and His work (living, dying, and rising for sinners). This foundational teaching reveals why your response to Jesus matters more than anything else.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and the question

0:43 - Why this is both important and challenging to answer

1:55 - Two parts: Person and work of Jesus

2:26 - Part 1: Who is Jesus in His person?

2:35 - Jesus is God (Romans 9:5)

3:50 - Jesus is man (1 Timothy 2:5)

4:53 - Jesus is fully God and fully man together

5:20 - Two natures in one person

5:44 - The broccoli illustration about understanding mysteries

6:45 - Part 2: What did Jesus do?

7:03 - Jesus lived, died, and rose for sinners

7:40 - Romans 4:25: Delivered for our sins, raised for our justification

8:16 - Why only Jesus could save us

8:44 - Why this question matters more than any other

9:13 - Hebrews 8:1: Jesus exalted in heaven now

9:50 - Your required response: Worship and trust

Key Topics Covered

- The Challenge of the Question - Why there's so much to say about Jesus

- Jesus as God - Romans 9:5 and His divine nature as second person of the Trinity

- Jesus as Man - 1 Timothy 2:5 and His true humanity, not just appearance

- Fully God and Fully Man - The hypostatic union of two natures in one person

- Not 50/50 But 100/100 - Understanding Jesus isn't partly divine and partly human

- The Mystery We Accept - Why difficulty understanding doesn't mean it's untrue

- Jesus's Perfect Life - Never sinning in thought, word, or deed

- Substitutionary Death - Punished for our sins so we receive His blessings

- Resurrection Victory - Rising from the grave to justify believers

- Why Only Jesus Could Save - Needing both divinity and humanity to pay for sin

- The Most Important Question - Why your response to Jesus determines everything

- Jesus Exalted Now - Currently seated at God's right hand in heaven

- The Required Response - Turning from sin, trusting Christ, worshiping forever

Scripture References

Romans 9:5 - Jesus is God over all, blessed forever

1 Timothy 2:5 - The man Christ Jesus as mediator

Romans 4:25 - Delivered for our sins, raised for our justification

Hebrews 8:1 - Jesus seated at the right hand of God's throne

Jonah 2:9 - Salvation is from the Lord

About The Ten Commandments Book

Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandments

Like this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how understanding who Jesus is has changed your life.

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

What Is Sin? Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Everyone uses the word "sin," but what does it actually mean? Pastor Heath Lambert kicks off 2026 by answering this fundamental question using Romans 3:23-24, revealing why sin is more than just breaking rules - it's falling short of God's glory, and why that matters for the gospel.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction: First episode of 2026

0:49 - The question: What is sin?

1:15 - We use words we don't really understand

1:52 - Disagreement about what sins are

2:45 - Romans 3:23: Falling short of God's glory

3:51 - The standard: God's perfect holiness

4:46 - Sin as falling short of the standard

5:11 - Practical reality 1: God defines sin, not us

5:50 - Don't add to God's list of sins

6:06 - Example: Is eating pizza a sin?

6:30 - Don't cross off sins from God's list

6:53 - God's glory as the standard in His Word

7:07 - The result: Guilt and punishment

7:25 - Romans 3:24: Justified by grace through redemption

7:56 - Redemption as economic transaction

8:46 - Final answer: Sin, guilt, and gospel hope

Key Topics Covered

The Universal Word - How everyone uses "sin" but with different meanings

Common Misconceptions - The property example and sexual behavior debates

Romans 3:23 Definition - Falling short of the glory of God

The Divine Standard - God's infinite righteousness, glory, and holiness

Two Dangerous Errors - Adding sins God didn't name and removing sins He did

The Pizza Illustration - Why we can't make up our own list of sins

Cultural Pushback - When society rejects biblical definitions of sin

God's Word as Authority - Why Scripture alone defines what sin is

Sin as Debt - The financial metaphor for our spiritual condition

The Gospel Solution - Romans 3:24 and redemption through Christ

Justified by Grace - How Christ's righteousness covers our sin debt

Scripture References

Romans 3:23 - All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 3:24 - Justified by grace through redemption in Christ Jesus

About The Ten Commandments Book

Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandments

Like this episode? Subscribe for more biblical teaching from Marked by Grace. Share your thoughts in the comments below about how understanding sin as falling short of God's glory changes your perspective. Happy New Year!

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Favorite Books of the Year Dec 28, 2025

Show notes

What were the best books of 2025? Pastor Heath Lambert shares not just two, but six of his favorite books from this year - including Tolkien's classic adventure, a contemporary novel with masterful prose, Churchill's wartime leadership, and Jonathan Edwards on heaven. If you're looking for your next great read, this episode delivers.

Timestamps

0:00 - Welcome to the final episode of 2025

0:33 - Annual book recommendations tradition

1:02 - Breaking the old two-book constraint

2:13 - Six favorite books from 2025

2:52 - Book 1: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

4:47 - Book 2: Theo of Golden by Alan Levi

8:46 - Book 3: The Life of Martin Lloyd-Jones by Iain Murray

12:35 - Book 4: The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson

17:32 - Book 5: On Theology by John M. Frame

20:38 - Book 6: Heaven is a World of Love by Jonathan Edwards

22:18 - Looking forward to 2026 reading

Key Topics Covered

Reading as a Hobby - Heath's love for books and why he reads extensively

The Hobbit - Tolkien's masterful children's story that adults will love

Theo of Golden - A contemporary novel with beautiful writing and gospel implications

Martin Lloyd-Jones Biography - The influential 20th-century preacher who prioritized God's Word

Churchill and the Blitz - Larson's gripping history of Britain's darkest hour

Contemporary Theology - Frame's accessible reflections on major theological debates

Jonathan Edwards on Heaven - A short classic about love and the world to come

Masterful Writing - Examples of excellent prose from multiple genres

Historical Heroes - Why Churchill and Lloyd-Jones matter for today

Gospel Living - How good literature helps us be salt and light

Book List Summary

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien - Classic fantasy adventure

Theo of Golden by Alan Levi - Contemporary novel with beautiful prose

The Life of Martin Lloyd-Jones by Iain Murray - Biography of influential preacher

The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson - Churchill and the Battle of Britain

On Theology by John M. Frame - Accessible theological reflections

Heaven is a World of Love by Jonathan Edwards - Short classic on love and eternity

About The Ten Commandments Book

Order now and download a free chapter at fbcjax.com/tencommandments

Have a question you'd like answered? Send it to markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

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