Resident Strangers

Latest Episodes:

42 | How to Support Church Leadership Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

Our beloved co-host Rich will be joining back in again next week so this episode will just be a conversation with Steve and Sarah. If you've been a regular listener, you know that Steve and Rich have been working through the doctrinal statement that our church (Desert Springs Community Church) holds. Since August of last year, they have been breaking down each element of the doctrinal statement week to week with a few one-off episodes here and there. Believe it or not they are nearing the end of the doctrinal statement! But don't worry, Steve and Rich have plenty more to discuss and will be continuing episodes even after the doctrinal statement has been worked through. This week Steve and Sarah take the opportunity to give you an inside look into the heart and mind of a church staff member. Since they are both church staff members, they felt qualified to speak on this 😉 What is the best way to support the leadership of a church? What are the stressors a church staff member is faced with? How does a Senior Pastor balance the opinions of others with the way God is leading? Steve and Sarah both get personal in answering these questions and ultimately communicate their allegiance to Christ first, then to His people. As a church staff member, it is incredibly important to have community and people to lean on. What are ways that those who are not in vocational ministry can encourage those that are in church leadership around them? Having grace and not immediately ascribing motive is something that church staff highly value, especially when the inevitable mistakes are made. Prayer for leaders and staff members is even more important! We hope this conversation was enlightening to you and pray it is a positive reminder to provide support, love, grace and prayer for your church leadership.

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

If you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, we’d be so grateful if you’d subscribe and leave a review as it really helps us reach more people with this message. We’d also love it if you’d share the podcast with your friends, on social media, or anywhere you connect with others. Join us again next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.

41 | Reaching your oikos with Shawn Jones Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

Shawn Jones once again joins Steve and Sarah in the studio to continue the discussion on witnessing, specifically diving into the concept of oikos. Many might be familiar with Oikos the yogurt brand, but did you know that oikos is an important word to know for a Christian wanting to make a difference in Jesus' name? If you attend Desert Springs, you're hopefully already familiar with this word but if you're not it is a Greek word which means "household" or essentially "your people." When looking at how the Gospel first spread the concept of oikos is so apparent; John 1 shows how this idea plays out with John the Baptist. This concept is still seen today as 78% of people who come to know Christ come through a relationship within their direct community. Shawn shares his personal story of how his brother-in-law at the time influenced him greatly to come to know Jesus. But it took time; it was not an overnight process. Steve shares that pastors do have great impact for the Gospel but that the greater influence often lies in the community who are sharing in day-to-day life. With this in mind, will revival come from a pulpit or from a community? Time and time again Jesus is telling those who knew Him or were healed by Him to go and share. Shawn encourages that anyone who has come to know Jesus has the truth to share. Shawn and Steve also give very practical advice and wisdom on how to start going about these things in daily life. All believers are called to live on mission. This is a very valuable conversation that we hope causes you to think and grow in this area!

8 to 10, The World Is Smaller Than You Think by Tom Mercer - https://www.amazon.com/World-Smaller-Than-You-Think/dp/0984036407/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KV0WPK0O894K&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.C5ZUjDTgzMvbNKRt9ZM-eKx0PtpDycDHmAeOunuKAIWX1NWMeNe5IjVbSSt7D1UFYZ8B_mEZctHl_nqD-D4DoQlOuJ9r2Gij-8L9pnj5tYNSB3Zt0QgXcFO4B2F0SDfCcbNgvRxcdGWNuzLHOM6x0WnZ7PlvAp1IP-a7-2d0PdO0KrQsVzWYs24jOW4tShQUFZzwS1XMpR4XYTx6JPJL0sHjaG9B0jFVzFx9ZbkjlYo.MHrlQsnOJ2Ca1_uh8Tt-5CSwcRwTBtskcWVH6slkWBo&dib_tag=se&keywords=8+to+15+the+world+is+smaller+than+you+think&qid=1712449902&sprefix=8+to+15+the+worl%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1

The Now Life podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2DLpahhlEwZvhqAs0GgKWt?si=681f8617dec64d57

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Shawn Jones' Stories Collective Episode 19 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OuNAKEDp73agvxkFVXevV?si=b12b43afbd6d4f7e

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Connect with Shawn - shawn@dscchurch.com

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

40 | Witnessing with Shawn Jones Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

We hope you enjoyed the Passion Week devotionals and had a wonderful Easter weekend! It's back to business as usual this week; well, kind of. Rich is taking a little break for the next few weeks and with that Steve and Sarah decided to invite a special guest host to join in for this discussion on witnessing and evangelism. There was not a better person to join in than Shawn Jones! Shawn works at Desert Springs as the Evangelism, Discipleship and Outreach pastor and also hosts a podcast called The Now Life which is linked below. Steve and Shawn quickly jump into the idea of witnessing, starting with Jesus' resurrection. We see in scripture that Jesus calls His people witnesses, emphasizing the importance of the death, burial and resurrection. The way that event spread was by His disciples sharing across nations. Shawn points out how clear this command is, not just to witness but to also make disciples. Jesus wanted believers living today to learn and know this! Steve talks about the purpose of believers throughout history and leading up to today. This all leads into living in the world but not of the world. With that in mind, it is important to be known for more than what Christians "don't do." Sharing Jesus with our lives and our lips is crucial. Shawn really drives home the importance of verbally sharing who Jesus is with those around us. A question arises; is there a difference between witnessing and evangelizing? What if someone isn't "gifted" in evangelism? Listen in to find out! Plan to come back next week as this conversation with Shawn is continued.

The Now Life podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/2DLpahhlEwZvhqAs0GgKWt?si=681f8617dec64d57

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Shawn Jones' Stories Collective Episode 19 - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4OuNAKEDp73agvxkFVXevV?si=b12b43afbd6d4f7e

*available wherever you listen to podcasts

Connect with Shawn - shawn@dscchurch.com

Desert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefs

Questions or comments?

Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

39 | Revisiting The Incredible Value of The Resurrection Mar 31, 2024

Show notes

Happy Easter! Or should we say, Resurrection Day! Today we are sharing with you a conversation we had back in November on the incredible value of the resurrection. You've heard this conversation before, but it is a great listen for this resurrection Sunday!

Steve and Rich specifically highlight the incredible value the resurrection has in this episode. The latter part of 1 Corinthians 15 is referenced throughout this episode so we would encourage you to familiarize yourself with it. How does the resurrection affect your life today? Can you answer that? The resurrection affects everything about our lives. It is crucial that we understand this because there is an enemy who wants us to continue to live in the guilt and shame of our sin that has been paid for. Steve tells us that the resurrection reminds us that we stand today in the sight of our God in Jesus completely righteous. We are His beloved children. Rich reminds us that the resurrection brings so much hope and comfort in times of suffering and trial. Knowing that Jesus rose from the dead just like He said He would is certainly a comfort and truth to hold onto. Steve goes through a list of reasons that the resurrection brings value today and we've listed those below. Our understanding of the resurrection should give us an urgency to preach and share the Gospel. We are His ambassadors, preaching the reconciliation brought by the resurrection. This is an episode you'll want to share, and we would love it if you would do that!

Five Reasons Why The Resurrection Has Value Today:

The resurrection assures us of our standing in forgiveness
We are assured that this world is not our home, of a better day and of life everlasting - all by the resurrection
The power we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit who lives within us to live in victory
Jesus is Lord over all and we know that without a shadow of a doubt because He conquered death
The resurrection gives us hope

Christ is Risen by Mack Brock

Questions or comments?
Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

38 | Passion Week Devo 8, Faith In The Silence of God Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

This episode focuses on silent Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter. It's not a day that is typically recognized. Have you ever stopped to think about what that day might have been like? We know the end of the story but those that were there in that time had to face whether what they had been told about the resurrection was true. What we can gather from scripture is that those who had followed Jesus were huddled together in processing their despair and questioning if their faith would be made sight. It serves as a great reminder of the importance of community. Many of us have experienced our own silent Saturdays in life through hardships. Whether it's a disheartening diagnosis, a death, financial crisis, whatever it is - community in Christ is so important. Through it all we know that God is a God who makes good on His promises. We certainly see that in the resurrection.

If you are local to Goodyear, we would like to invite you to attend our Easter services happening March 30th at 3:30pm + 5:00pm and March 31st at 6:00am, 8:00am, 9:30am + 11:00am. Streaming at dscchurch.com too.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

37 | Passion Week Devo 7, The Walk To Our Redemption Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

This episode focuses on the events of Good Friday. Steve walks us through a timeline of that day, starting very early in the morning on Friday. The episode ends with a reading of John 20:30-31. John recorded the events in this book to persuade us to believe that Jesus truly is the Messiah. We hope this helps you to reflect on your belief in Jesus and the magnitude of the cross.

If you are local to Goodyear, we would like to invite you to attend our March 29th Good Friday services, this evening from 5:00pm-8:00pm. This is an open-house style service where you can come to take communion, reflect and pray. We encourage you to take space to be quiet with the Lord today.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

36 | Passion Week Devo 6, Jesus Cares For His Disciples Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode focuses on John 13:1-14 (NIV). Rich gives us some background on what some know as Maundy Thursday. This is a remembrance of the night that Jesus spent with His disciples. An amazing thing to draw out from this passage is that Jesus washed His disciples' feet. His care for His disciples was so evident, He loved them until the very end. He even washed Judas' feet knowing that he would betray Him. This is Jesus' last time with HIs disciples until after the resurrection. As followers of Christ, we can learn so much from how Jesus handled this night. That picture of humility and serving is unmatched.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

35 | Passion Week Devo 5, Jesus Looks Ahead To His Second Return Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode focuses on Luke 21:1-13 (NIV). It is Wednesday of Passion Week and in a little over 24 hours Jesus will be betrayed. In a little over 48 hours, He will be on the cross. We see Jesus' care and compassion for others as He tells this story of the widow. There is nothing small in the eyes of God when it is done in a heart of faith. As Jesus talks of His second coming, He is reminding those then and us now that there is a greater plan. We are called to bear the testimony of Jesus and that calling is very important to Him.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

34 | Passion Week Devo 4, Answering Questions Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode focuses on Matthew 22:15-40 (NIV). The people bringing the questions in this passage were trying to trick Jesus and yet He handles this masterfully. He answers the questions in a way that conveys the truth to not only His audience then but to us living now. This is a passage that has been referenced in many episodes of Resident Strangers. In these answers we see that Jesus is most concerned about our hearts. We can learn a lot from Jesus in how he handled these people and their questions.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

33 | Passion Week Devo 3, Fruitless Fig Tree Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode focuses on Mark 11:11-17 (NIV). There should have been fruits of repentance; the fruit of embracing Jesus as Messiah but there wasn't. Jesus knew where this was going as He saw the lack of fruit. In a lot of ways Jesus was giving last warnings to Israel to repent in the days leading up to the cross. We cannot allow things in our lives to become more important than the worship and devotion of Jesus. Engaging with God comes first.

Watch Resident Strangers on YouTube 🎥

Questions or comments? Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com

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