Skeptics & Saints

Latest Episodes:

Is God A Narcissist? Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

WHY WOULD GOD WANT US TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY?

For the skeptic, it can feel strange to learn that we are supposed to live for the glory of God and confusing to hear phrases like "God is about God".

The Christian might even wonder what separates the God of Christianity from Allah of Islam. Allah demands worship, bowing, and obligatory prayers. What makes the God of the bible different?

What we'll expose in this episode is how necessary realizing that we're in a God-centered reality is. It hopeful, healing, and humbling to re-orient your life around God.

If you wrestle with the idea of worship, or want to step into spiritual maturity, this episode is for you!

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Following Jesus In The A.I. Apocalypse Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

AI, the Antichrist, and the Discipled Church
The same tech that can disciple the nations… can deceive them.
AI isn’t neutral. It’s not just crunching data, it’s shaping beliefs. It can translate your sermon into Swahili while you sleep… or slowly form your theology while you’re not paying attention. In a world of convenience, prompts are replacing prayer, and machines are molding minds.
This message is a wake-up call for pastors, parents, leaders, and everyday believers. What if AI isn’t the Antichrist but the tool he’ll use? What if worldview formation is happening… and most Christians aren’t even in the room?
Who’s discipling your soul, Jesus or the algorithm?

Faith Isn’t Safe May 09, 2025

Show notes

When Faith Doesn’t Feel Safe

What if your biggest spiritual breakthrough doesn’t come when everything is polished and planned, but when it’s messy, risky, and full of unknowns?
Four weeks ago, our church stepped into a new auditorium. Nothing went perfectly. Teams were confused, gear glitched, and we scrambled to adjust in real time. And somehow, 62 people were baptized, including 16 who didn’t plan on it.
Faith isn’t about control. It’s about stepping into what you can’t see and trusting that God will show up.
What step is God calling you to take even if it doesn’t feel safe?

Evangelize Better Than A Mormon Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

Let’s be real—Mormons are out-hustling most Christians in evangelism. But what if you could learn to fish for souls the way Jesus taught His disciples—naturally, logically, and humbly?

This bold message challenges passive faith and calls us back to the mission: to actually lead people to Jesus. Not with weird scripts or forced conversations, but with Spirit-empowered authenticity and gospel clarity. Whether you’ve never shared your faith or you’re just out of rhythm, this is your invitation to throw your net on the other side of the boat.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

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A Big Move, A Bigger Mission Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan and Lindsay unpack the massive transition happening at The Garden—a move to a new school, a surge in attendance, and a front-row seat to a move of God in real time. But this isn’t just about logistics. This is about embracing the Jesus adventure, being “logged on” to the Holy Spirit, and stepping into your role as a church planter—whether you realize it or not.

💡 What does it mean to live on mission instead of just consuming church?
🔥 How do we respond when God shifts our plans?
👶 Why even our kids are part of the movement?

This is more than a transition—it’s a call to jump into the story God is writing in the West Valley. Are you in?

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ

Facebook: The Garden Church
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There Is No Maturing Without Serving Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

We live in a grind culture that exalts hustle, self-protection, and personal achievement over everything. The world tells us to chase success, build our own platforms, and seek recognition. But Jesus shows us a radically different way: Serving.

True maturity isn’t measured by knowledge or status—it’s measured by a heart that’s willing to roll up its sleeves and serve others. There is no true spiritual growth without serving. Jesus Himself, the King of Kings, took the form of a servant, humbled Himself, and ultimately gave His life for us (Philippians 2:5-8). If we claim to follow Him, then we are called to live like Him.

Saved people serve people. The heart that has been wrecked by the gospel doesn’t sit on the sidelines—it pours itself out, without complaining, without hesitation, without entitlement.

You never look more like Jesus than when you serve.

Are you willing to step into the grind—not for yourself, but for the Kingdom?

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ

Facebook: The Garden Church
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Before You Deconstruct, Ask This! Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Deconstruction. It’s become a buzzword, a movement, and for many, a path away from Christianity. But before you walk away from faith, are you sure you know what you’re leaving behind?
From Josh Harris, who once led purity culture and later renounced his faith, to Abraham Piper, who turned deconstruction into a viral movement, we’ve seen a pattern: tearing down faith without rebuilding anything in its place. But deconstruction doesn’t have to mean destruction.
In this episode, we unpack the real questions behind deconstruction—where it leads, what it exposes, and how Jesus Himself challenged false faith without abandoning truth. Are you questioning bad theology, or just leaving Christianity because of bad experiences? Have you mistaken broken Christians for a broken Christ?
Doubt isn’t the enemy of faith—it’s an invitation to a deeper one. Before you deconstruct, ask this.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ

Facebook: The Garden Church
🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
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Why Reading the Bible Feels Impossible (And How to Fix It) Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever started reading the Bible with good intentions, only to fizzle out somewhere in Leviticus? Or maybe you’ve never opened it because it feels outdated, confusing, or irrelevant. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent with Bible reading, you’re not alone.

In this episode, we break down why reading the Bible often feels so difficult—and more importantly, how to fix it. We’ll unpack why spiritual discipline without delight feels like a chore, but delight without discipline leads nowhere. You’ll learn:

✅ Why Bible reading isn’t about checking a religious box—it’s about transformation
✅ How to shift from feeling obligated to read the Bible to actually desiring it
✅ The crucial role of Scripture as the foundation for everything in the Christian life
✅ Practical steps to start small, stay consistent, and develop a Bible-reading habit that lasts
✅ Honest answers to common struggles—confusion, boredom, and inconsistency

Bible reading isn’t about duty—it’s about delight. The more you engage, the more you see its beauty.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ

Facebook: The Garden Church
🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here

Spotify: Listen Here

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here

Spotify: Listen Here

Should Christians Make New Year’s Resolutions? Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

As the new year begins, many believers ask: Should Christians set goals and make resolutions? Is planning for personal growth biblical, or is it just a worldly mindset? In this episode, we take a deep dive into what Scripture says about goal-setting, stewardship, and real progress in the Christian life.

We’ll discuss how goal-setting isn’t about identity but about faithfulness, the difference between self-improvement and overcoming sin, and why action-based goals are more effective than chasing results. We’ll also talk about the balance between avoiding comfort and preventing burnout, along with practical strategies for long-term consistency and sustainability.

Whether you’re looking to build better habits, grow in discipline, or lead with greater vision, this episode will equip you with a biblical framework for setting and achieving goals in a way that honors God.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ

Facebook: The Garden Church
🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here

Spotify: Listen Here

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here

Spotify: Listen Here

Why Mormonism Is False Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Think Mormonism is just about family values and quirky traditions like celestial planets and “holy underpants”? Think again. In this episode, we peel back the layers to uncover the shocking history and doctrines that reveal why Mormonism isn’t just different—it’s dangerous.

Did you know Joseph Smith was a convicted conman before founding the LDS Church?
Or that he manipulated women into marriage with threats of damnation?
What about the fact that Mormon theology rewrites Christianity entirely, claiming God was once a man and humans can become gods?

We’re diving deep into the history, theology, and practical consequences of Mormonism’s false claims. You’ll hear about coercion, counterfeit scripture, and doctrines that leave people burdened and spiritually exposed.

This episode isn’t about attacking people—it’s about exposing deception and pointing to the freedom found in the real gospel of Jesus Christ. Tune in to Skeptics and Saints for a conversation that will challenge everything you thought you knew about the Mormon Church.

🌎 Learn More: www.thegardenaz.com
🕒 Sundays at 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | 11:30 AM

📲 Stay Connected:
Instagram: @thegardenaz

YouTube: @TheGardenChurchAZ

Facebook: The Garden Church
🎙️ Skeptics & Saints Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here

Spotify: Listen Here

📖 The Garden Church Sermon Podcast –
Apple: Listen Here

Spotify: Listen Here