The Austin Stone Podcast

It’s the age-old question—if God is all-powerful, all-good, and all-knowing, why does evil exist? How can He let it go on? The existence of evil is one of the most challenging aspects of Christian faith. Yet, the question hinges on assumptions about God, ourselves, and the world around us.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] Transcript

Halim Suh explores God’s five woes upon Babylon and how they reflect the universal human condition of brokenness.

Greg Breazeale explores how we can wait on God and walk in faith.

If God is good, why does He allow suffering? And if He can end it anytime, why is He taking so long? Everybody experiences suffering—and if you haven’t experienced it yet, you’re only a phone call away from a heavy season. Join us as we learn to make sense of it all together.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] Transcript

Halim Suh explores Habakkuk’s raw prayer and how it demonstrates God’s kindness and Habakkuk’s faith.

Ross Lester examines God’s surprising response to Habakkuk and what it teaches us about His mysterious methods and purposes.

Do you struggle with doubt? More importantly, what should you do with doubt? Let’s talk about Christian doubting and how to wrestle our doubts toward faith instead of away from it. Whether you’re a natural skeptic or have experienced something that feels like an attack on your faith, this episode is for you.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] Transcript

Halim Suh explores Habakkuk’s painful lament to God to understand how we can trust Him in the midst of evil and suffering.

Ross Lester introduces the history of redemption up to this point and examines how God is always speaking.

Ross Lester explores John’s account of the resurrection and its implications for our current reality.

Jimmy McNeal explores why and how we worship God, specifically with our voices and bodies.

Tyler David shares the motivation and purpose behind evangelism, as well as practical principles to consider.

John Manning explores the invitation to biblical generosity to which all believers are called.

Tyler David explores the practices of celebration and lament to show how Jesus redefines our joys and sorrows.

God cares deeply about your pain and sorrow. He invites us to process with Him honestly and often. The Psalms show us that lament is an act of worship that can deepen our trust in Him.“Practicing Lament” is a 30-minute audio guide that walks you through five movements of biblical lament. We pray this resource helps you draw near to God in suffering, grief, or loss.

Ross Lester examines the purpose of practicing silence and solitude for our spiritual health.

Ross Lester explores the purpose of biblical fellowship and what life-giving fellowship often requires.

Halim Suh shares how our fasting today differs from how Israel fasted in the Old Testament.

Ross Lester discusses the importance of serving as believers and addresses some of our obstacles to a life of service.

Ross Lester examines the practice of Sabbath, highlighting it throughout the different seasons of biblical redemptive history.

Halim Suh examines the purpose of memorizing Scripture and demonstrates its impact.

Ross Lester explores the importance of Scripture study and walks through one of the practical methods of it.

Jimmy McNeal explores what Jesus teaches about prayer and how we can engage with this spiritual discipline.

Ross Lester introduces spiritual disciplines as a means of grace that disrupt our busy lives to remind ourselves of the reality of Jesus.

Ross Lester shares the vision for the ABLE Campaign and examines the biblical generosity we see in Scripture.

Ross Lester reflects on God’s faithfulness to our church over the past years while looking ahead to how we can be ready for His future provision.

Will Bostian explores the new identity we have in Jesus.

Matt Blackwell explores how God’s love for us is made known through Jesus’ birth.

Ross Lester discusses how the birth of Jesus brings joy to the world.

Halim Suh examines Zechariah’s song and how it points to the peace we have in Jesus.

Jimmy McNeal kicks off the Advent season by exploring Simeon’s song and how it points to our hope in Jesus.

Greg Breazeale closes out our time in Ecclesiastes by summarizing the meaning and purpose of wisdom and who it ultimately points to.

We have some big takeaways from the Ecclesiastes sermon series. We’ve also got a few unresolved tensions. Tyler David joins Ross and Val to wrap up the Chasing Shadows Podcast with an update on what seems to be a new work of the Holy Spirit among students at the University of Texas.

Halim Suh explores how Christians should respond to the uncertainty of our life and the certainty of our death.

A small fly can spoil the whole batch. A thousand follies lead to one big disaster. And wisdom doesn’t prevent all suffering or failure. This seems bleak. But take heart, Christian. In this episode, we discuss how the truths of Ecclesiastes instruct us in how to live, even in the suburbs, with courage and hope in Jesus.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Ross Lester explores the importance of making wise decisions and eliminating foolishness from our lives.

Death is an inevitability. How your life plays out is entirely uncertain. Your work and your memory will fade from existence. There are many ways people deal with this reality, from constantly scrolling to endless pleasure seeking. But Christians are called to more. How can we be joyfully content?Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

How should we make the most of our lives in light of eternity? Ross Lester explores wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes.

Jesus wasn’t a centrist. That’s too simple a conclusion. And following after Him with earnest zeal does not draw us to a specific political position. Jesus brings an entirely new paradigm. He makes us citizens of His Kingdom by the power of His blood. And yet, God has placed us in this time and this place, and as citizens of His Kingdom, we have been called to proclaim Him with our lives, with our voice, and even with our votes. But how should we vote? Should we vote? Let’s discuss.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Ross Lester examines how we should respond to modern governing authorities and politics while pursuing a joyful endurance.

Why is it so hard to talk about politics? Is it ok to just check out, turn off the news, and throw away our phones? What has God called us to as believers in a particular place and time? This week we discuss how we can engage in politics with hope, charity, and confidence because we are citizens of God’s Kingdom.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Halim Suh explores a framework for how Christians should live under modern governing authorities and politics.

God often reveals Himself powerfully and personally to a believer in the midst of suffering. And yet, suffering is a reality for everyone at some point, and bland theological assurances can feel glib to those walking through disaster or devastation. How can we actively seek the joy God provides, avoid the trap of nostalgia, and find support in the community of saints?Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Jimmy McNeal examines the need for wisdom, the way to wisdom, and the limits of wisdom to reveal our hope in Jesus.

Your wildest dreams can be disappointing. What is perceived as bold truth-telling could be a trap. Contentment is a miracle. In this week’s podcast we discuss how to wait on the Lord for joy, how to fight for contentment, and how to rest in Jesus for all that God has given to us.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Ross Lester explores the barriers to enjoying God’s blessings and points us toward freedom in God-centered living.

Jesus spoke about it often, so why do we feel so uncomfortable whenever a church or a preacher talks about money? This week, we dive into the messy topic of money. Join us to consider its subversive promises, a life of contentment, and the complexities of Biblical generosity alongside our particular contextual realities.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Halim Suh examines the vanity of loving money to show us our true freedom in Jesus.

What does it mean to fear God? Western Evangelicalism is going through a reckoning of fallen leaders and uncovered sin. Has God left us? This week we discuss guarding your steps from meaningless religion.Join us each week for the Chasing Shadows podcast—new episodes available on Thursdays throughout the Ecclesiastes series.Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Email us at [email protected] on YouTube

Ross Lester explores the necessity of seeing God rightly when we enter His presence.