Focused on Christ
Focused on Christ is dedicated to exalting Christ and equipping the church. Hosted by Mike Crump and Dr. Nathan Smith, Focused on Christ looks at topics and issues facing the Christian church and filters them through the Word of God. As pastors, Mike and Nathan can help navigate theology, current events, and relational issues that crop up in and around the church in order that followers of Jesus are prepared for living the gospel life among the nations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning on all podcasting platforms as well as YouTube and X.
Episodes
Ep. 129 | What Defiles a Person? | Focused on Christ Podcast🎙️ Hosted by Mike Crump | Featuring Pastor Nathan Smith
In this episode of Focused on Christ, we explore one of Jesus’ most powerful confrontations with the Pharisees in Mark 7. While Jesus is healing the sick and performing miracles, the Pharisees focus on one issue—ritual handwashing. But Jesus points to a far deeper truth: defilement comes not from what’s outside, but f...
Ep. 128: Jesus Sends Sheep Among Wolves | Focused on Christ Podcast
In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastor Nathan Smith joins host Mike Crump to walk through Matthew 10, where Jesus sends out His twelve disciples with power and purpose—but also a clear warning. What does it mean to be "sheep among wolves"? Why would Jesus send His followers into hostile environments? And how should believers respond to fear, persecut...
Welcome to Focused on Christ – where we exalt Jesus and equip the church!In this powerful episode, Pastor Nathan Smith joins host Mike Crump to explore one of the most intense and hope-filled encounters in the Gospels—Jesus' deliverance of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20.
📖 What does this story teach us about the reality of demons and spiritual bondage?
💥 Why did the demons fear Jesus—and why did they ask to enter a herd...
Ep. 126: Can Christians Cuss? | Catholicism, Easter Drama, and Strong Language in ScriptureIn this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastor Nathan Smith joins host Mike Crump to tackle a thought-provoking batch of mailbag questions that tie into recent news and cultural trends.We start by reflecting on the death of Pope Francis and explore the key theological differences between Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox traditions—inc...
Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church.
In Episode 125, your host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith as we explore one of the most challenging and counter-cultural teachings of Jesus found in Luke 9:23-27 — the call to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.
Before diving into Jesus' powerful call to self-denial, we look at the broader context...
Welcome back to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Jesus and equipping the church for everyday faithfulness.In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to explore several of Jesus’ parables from Matthew 13 that reveal the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven—its growth, value, and the sobering reality of judgment.💬 Listener Question from SydneyWe begin by revisiting Episode 121 and respondin...
Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church!
In this milestone 50th episode, Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith for a deeply moving conversation on the most incredible display of love in all of history—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Together, we walk through key moments from Mark 15 and Luke 23, asking essential questions about what Christ’s suffering and death revea...
At Focused on Christ, our passion is to exalt Jesus and equip the church for faithful living. I’m your host, Mike Crump, joined today by Pastor Nathan Smith, as we dive into another mailbag episode, answering YOUR questions!
📩 Mailbag Questions:
🔹 Christian Media & Biblical AccuracyDaniel asks about the rise of Christian media like The Chosen and House of David. Should believers engage with these shows? What are the benefits, a...
Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church! In this episode, host Mike Crump is joined by Pastor Nathan Smith to explore one of Jesus’ most well-known parables—the Parable of the Sower.This powerful teaching, recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels, comes with a direct explanation from Jesus Himself. But why did Jesus speak in parables? Was it an act of judgment or mercy? And...
What does it mean to blaspheme the Holy Spirit? Is it really unforgivable are we able to do it today? In this episode, Dr. Jeff Scott joins Mike for a conversation on Jesus' words in Mark 3. If you've every wondered whether you should be concerned about blaspheming the Holy Spirit this episode may help provide clarity and comfort. #holyspirit #blasphemous #satan #devil #spirituality #demons
In Matthew 7 Jesus says that we should "judge not lest we be judged" but what does that mean in the context of the Sermon on the Mount? Is Jesus teaching that we are never to make a judgement call or comment on sinful behavior? In this episode, Mike and Nathan unpack Matthew 7 in order to understand this important teaching of Jesus.
Show Notes: https://focusedonchrist.com/ep-119-judge-not-lest-you-be-judged/
#podcast #judge...
In this episode of Focused on Christ, Mike and Nathan walk through the beatitudes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. What was the purpose of this sermon and what in the world is a beatitude? Are these rules to govern our lives or a description of what it looks like to follow Jesus? Sermon Outline: https://gamma.app/docs/Jesus-Bears-His-Fathers-Name-27b1vpta3d0un8y/preview
Is there a promise that all those who are in Christ will be healed? The answer is a resounding "yes" but the timing and context of that healing may be different than we think. In this reflection, Pastor Mike looks at Paul's encouragement from 2 Corinthians 4 & 5. We can be honest with out illnesses and struggles while at the same time finding hope in what is to come. #healing #miracle #jesus #hope #healing #overcome
Why was healing an important part of Jesus ministry? Was he simply desiring to show kindness or is there something more? In this episode Mike is joined by Dr. Jeff Scott, who is the Pastor of Biblical and Theological Resourcing at Heritage Baptist Church. They discuss 3 instances of healings from the Gospels in order to understand better the nature of Jesus and His plan of redemption. #healing #health #leprosy #jesus #miracles #gos...
How should we approach some of the difficult passages of scriptures that confuse our understanding of the Godhead? In this Weekend Reflection, Mike points to the necessity of humility when approach these passages. When we examine our sinful corruption and God's perfect holiness we are better able to trust in His purposes - even we don't fully understand them.#faith #jesus #struggle #yahweh #bible #revelation #humility
Is there really a difference between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament? How do we reconcile some of the difficulty realities of stonings, conquest, and polygomy spoken about in the Hebrew Scriptures? In this episode, Pastor Joshua Hankins joins Mike for a discussion on this often misunderstood topic. #oldtestament #yahweh #lawofmoses #polygamy #jesus #focusedonchrist
Welcome to a new segment title, Weekend Reflections. Earlier this week Pastor Nathan and Mike revisited an episode on online convtroversies. In this weekend's reflection Mike looks at Romans 12 and the book of Jude for some biblical insight into how we are to engage people online who may be orthodox in their doctrine yet have a diffferent way of applying that doctrine to cultural issues. #focusedonchrist #relationships #church #ort...
In this revisted episode, Pastor Nathan and Mike discuss online controversies that are connected to comments made last week about a theology of space. How do we make room for the transcendent in a culture of the common? Also, we look at the question of attending a gay wedding and how we can interact with those with a different stance on applied theology. #focusedonchrist #wedding #coffee #theology #gentleness #jesus
In John 2 we see Jesus respond in anger when he witnesses the Temple of God being turned into a marketplace. What was driving this righteous indignation and how should we respond when we are faced with injustice? In this episode, Mike and Nathan ask questions about the santity of holy spaces and our role when faced with evil in our world. Teaching Resource from Pastor Nathan: The Cleansing of the Temple ( @HeritageBaptistChurch )...
Recently Wes Huff was recently interviewed by Joe Rogan, which exposed millions of people to the truth of Jesus' existence and the historic reliability of the scriptures. At the same time Jordan Peterson is releasing a series analyzing the Gospels along side priests, secularist, and psychologists. How are we to understand this cultural movement towards a more receptive and celebratory view of the Bible? In this episode, Mike and ...
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