Main Thing Podcast

In this eye-opening exploration of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we discover profound truths about wealth, eternity, and our urgent responsibility to share the gospel with others.

• The rich man's blindness continued even in torment, showing how deeply ingrained our worldly mindsets can be
• Less than 2% of Christians ever share their faith with another human being
• You don't need theological ...

Pastor Steve explores the parable of the wheat and weeds from Matthew 13:24-30, revealing crucial insights about God's kingdom and how we should respond to evil in our midst.

• Evil coexists with good because God gives everyone opportunity to choose Him and respond to His mercy
• Spiritual discipline in churches should be practiced with love, protecting both individuals and the congregation
• Christians should...

Jesus challenges disciples about wealth management through the parable of the shrewd manager, highlighting the spiritual impossibility of serving both God and money while emphasizing that true stewardship demands integrity in all areas of life.

• Exploring the meaning of "shrewd" in Luke 16:1-13
• Contrasting worldly business practices with kingdom ethics
• Examining how compartmentalizing our ethics dish...

The parable of the Ten Virgins serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of genuine spiritual readiness for Christ's return, distinguishing between those who are merely religious and those who are truly transformed.

• True salvation produces evident fruit in a believer's life
• Many churchgoers may embrace religion without true transformation
• Many love the concept of Christianity without embracing...

In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells a parable about vineyard workers who receive equal pay despite working different hours, revealing how God's grace transcends our human understanding of fairness.

• God's grace often offends our human sense of fairness, especially in reward-oriented cultures
• Our fallen human nature struggles to comprehend heavenly grace that treats all believers equally
• Churches should c...

Discipleship requires complete surrender to Christ as both Savior and Lord, transforming belief into obedience and reproducing what God has placed inside us.

• Discipleship at its core means obedience and duplication of Christ's teachings
• Evangelism and discipleship function as two sides of the same coin
• Churches should balance winning the lost with developing believers
• Anything not growing spiritual...

"Love God, Love People, and Lead Others to Do the Same." Pastor Steve explains that serving is essential for spiritual growth, and the greatest blessings in Christian life come when we fulfill the servant role God created us for.

• God doesn't call people to ministries they hate—He gives a love for what He's called you to do
• Jesus modeled servant leadership by making everything about the Kingdom r...

Community lies at the heart of Christian faith, providing essential support, encouragement, and accountability needed for spiritual growth and discipleship.

• The church was designed from inception to be a community dedicated to supporting and encouraging one another
• Jesus established the standard for love when He commanded us to love others as He loved us
• People who engage in church community are much more li...

We explore our church's mission statement—love God, love people, and lead others to do the same—breaking down what it means to truly love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

• True worship means loving God with every aspect of our being
• What matters most in worship is not the style but the heart
• People are always our business—changing lives and eternal destinies
• Where your treasure is, there yo...

Through the story of Jeremiah being thrown into a muddy cistern for speaking God's truth, we discover profound lessons about standing firm in faith despite rejection and suffering.

• Jeremiah was punished merely for speaking God's truth to Israel about their coming captivity
• Standing for truth often leads to rejection, but these moments reveal what we truly believe
• Christians in other parts of the wor...

God's discipline is always aimed at restoration, not punishment, as seen through Jeremiah's prophecy to Israel before their Babylonian captivity. The Lord's promise of a new covenant—one written on hearts rather than stone—points to Jesus and offers hope even in our darkest moments.

• Christians should expect to look "strange" to the world as we are aliens passing through
• Believers find stren...

Pastor Steve examines Jeremiah's powerful metaphor about abandoned fountains and broken cisterns, revealing how this warning perfectly mirrors our modern spiritual crisis.

• Ancient Judah's double sin: abandoning God (the living water) while creating their own spiritual solutions (broken cisterns)
• The danger of making the church building or religious activities a substitute for genuine relationship with God...

We dig into the book of Jeremiah and discover striking parallels between ancient Judah's cultural decline and our modern world, exploring how God's truth speaks to divisive times.

• Understanding the historical context of Jeremiah as the "weeping prophet"
• Exploring the tension between God's righteousness and His grace in a world that rejects His truth
• Confronting how cultural pressure a...

Explore the theme of divine calling and how it intersects with fear and faith. Discover insights rooted in biblical examples, specifically focusing on Jeremiah’s life and how it relates to us. Gain encouragement in learning how to fulfill your purpose in alignment with God’s will. 

• Discussing God’s calling and sovereignty 
• Analyzing Jeremiah’s biblical testimony 
• Fear and insecurity in ministry and purpose 

Pastor Steve shares his transformative journey from a non-Christian upbringing to faith and ministry, filled with challenges and growth. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in leadership and nurturing future generations in their faith. 

• Personal testimony of accepting Christ at age 15 
• The impact of early mentors and opportunities in ministry 
• Challenges faced in various pastoral roles and churches 
•...

Is it possible to nurture a strong spiritual foundation amidst the chaos of modern life? We explore this compelling question, offering insights from Genesis 35:1 to inspire families on their journey back to their faith roots. Pastor Steve offers guidance on establishing a meaningful family spiritual practice, highlighting the irreplaceable role parents play in shaping their children's beliefs through example and commitment.

This episode tackles the alarming state of family life in today's culture, highlighting the pressures from youth athletics, public education, and societal overreach that threaten familial bonds.

Our conversation emphasizes the need for parents to actively engage in nurturing spiritual values amidst these challenges to foster resilience and faith in their children.

• Discussing the cultural pressures on fami...

In this episode, we tackle some of the most pressing and often misunderstood topics in Christian theology and practice. Can Christians deconstruct their faith in a healthy way while remaining anchored in biblical truth?

We explore what faith deconstruction is, when it becomes destructive, and how churches can provide support. We also dive into the age-old debate of free will vs. election—what the Bible says, how key passa...

In this episode of The Main Thing Podcast, Pastor Steve Folmar explores the core differences between Catholicism and Protestantism, tackling questions like, "Is infant baptism biblical?" and "How does salvation differ between works and grace?"

With historical insights and scriptural clarity, this episode dives into tradition, doctrine, and why understanding these distinctions matters for your faith jou...