The Austin Stone Podcast

Could the idealist be just as wrong as the cynic? There is a harsh reality for everything under the sun. This week, we discuss engaging that reality with open eyes and a hopeful heart.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 explores the evils of life under the sun to reveal our true need for Jesus.

Beauty and eternity, meaning and revelation—how do these things work together to give us a picture of God’s kindness? This week’s episode discusses how wisdom from Ecclesiastes can direct us to be present for the joy and sorrow of everyday life.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 the haunting beauty of life’s changing seasons—from joys to tears and everything in between.

Work is from God and yet is marked by sin. How can Christians pursue redemption through their work, especially in surroundings often marked by exploitative practices and opportunities for selfish gain?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 YouTubeRecommend ResourcesA Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 127, John Manning

Ross Lester examines the vanity of our work when we don’t view it as a way to worship God.

The writer of Ecclesiastes went as far as humanly possible in his pursuit of pleasure and still ends disappointed. So, how should we live in a culture that encourages building our identities around pursuing pleasure? Is stoicism the answer?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 pursuing pleasure and its paradoxical nature.

Does Ecclesiastes say that knowledge is pointless? This week, we discuss the pursuit of wisdom by limited creatures.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 the vanity of pursuing worldly knowledge over wisdom that leads to fear of the Lord.

Even the best things in life leave us unfulfilled and unsatisfied. So, what hope do we have?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 the vanity of life under the sun to point us to the fullness of life in Jesus beyond the sun.

Tyler David examines Jesus’ heart for the nations and discusses how our response reveals our understanding of the cross.

Walt Lengel examines this psalm of lament to discover how we can faithfully wrestle with our doubts in God.

Jimmy McNeal explores how God uses His creation, word, and kindness to sanctify His people.

Jon Dansby teaches on the beauty of God and the joyful truth we have in Jesus.

Brian Benkendorfer explores how God blesses His people so that all tribes, tongues, and nations would praise Him.

Ross Lester closes out the book of Jude by exhorting us to remember our context, calling, and Keeper.

Matt Blackwell explores how God takes both judgment and mercy seriously.

Matt Blackwell explores the charge to contend for the faith amid false teachers and false truths.

Ross Lester shares the historical context for Jude and discusses our identity as followers of Christ.

Halim Suh concludes the final section of Hebrews by highlighting God’s character and our obedience.

Ross Lester examines the uniqueness of Christ’s altar and how it should impact our worship.

Halim Suh explores the exhortation to consider our leaders and avoid being led away from the faith by false teachings.

Ross Lester examines the call to be free from loving money and content in God’s provision.

Halim Suh examines how marriage and sex reflect our eternal oneness with Christ.

Ross Lester explores the exhortation to be hospitable toward fellow believers, strangers, and those mistreated.

Ross Lester explores how we should approach our Holy God in light of His abundant grace.

Halim Suh discusses how God uses His loving discipline for our ultimate flourishing.

Ross Lester explores how faith is like a race as we run by Jesus' strength, for His reward, and to His perfecting presence.

Ross Lester examines the reality and centrality of the resurrection and how it redirects our entire lives.

Halim Suh explores the significance of Palm Sunday and warns us against missing the true purpose of Jesus’ kingship.

Ross Lester examines how those before us experienced great victories and deep suffering yet endured waiting in faith.

Ross Lester examines the faith of Rahab and Joshua—two very different perspectives that each reveal God’s kindness in welcoming us into His redemptive story.

Halim Suh discusses the obedient and fearless faith demonstrated throughout Moses’ life.

Ross Lester explores how Joseph’s final years point to his faith in God’s sovereignty and future kingdom.

Ross Lester examines how Jacob’s blessing of Joseph’s sons displays his worship and trust in God.

Matt Blackwell explores how the story of Jacob and Esau points to the unchanging blessing we have in Christ.

Jimmy McNeal examines the faith of Abraham and Isaac that allowed them to obey amidst great testing.

Greg Breazeale examines Abraham and Sarah’s faith in their obedience to God’s calling and trust in His promises and future kingdom.

Halim Suh examines how Noah’s faith teaches us to endure amidst evil and suffering.

Ross Lester examines the grace, blessing, and presence we experience, not only as recipients of the gospel but as stewards of His global kingdom.

Ross Lester explores the heart behind prayer and its foundation on humility, weakness, and dependence on God.

Steve Shaver explores all the “new” that we are offered through Christ.

We’ve walked alone in darkness,but we have seen a great light.Hope beaming from despair;like morning from the night.Yes, we’ve seen the waves of chaos,felt the wind ravage and rip.Our anchor in the depths is Christ.His peace steadies the ship.Now joy has filled eternally,the void within the chest;No one but the Man of Sorrowsmakes the mourners blessed.The crooked, crafty enemycould never overcomethe power of the Father’s love,displayed in Christ the Son.From heaven’s throne to virgin’s womb,in humble form He cameto wear the burden of our sin,disrobing us of shame.For perfect peace and hope and loveand joy we wait no more.He is here! He has come!so come let us adore!The Word made flesh, Emmanuel,Savior, Prince of PeaceMighty God, Holy One,Jesus, King of Kings.

What lovely song or poet could depictthe love for which humanity does thirst?For man’s descriptions try but still restrictthe boundless love with which God loved us first.A million books a million pages longwould fail to tell in full the love that’s come.Take ev’ry word in thought, in print, in song,the Word made flesh is greater than their sum.Eternal God appeared in humble mode:the needless one in form of helpless child.His ev’ry breath a step along the roadwhich finds its end at majesty reviled.No greater love can any of us knowthan Jesus Christ who gave Himself in death.The only measures adequate to showHis perfect love, its height and depth and breadth.The love that all words fail to fully frameis manifested here in Jesus’ name.

Ross Lester reminds us of the good news of the gospel that we get to celebrate this Christmas Eve.

There is genuine joy that transcends circumstances.Like the flame of a fire that flitters and dancesin spite of the gales that threaten its blaze,a joy inextinguishable all of our days.Where could this endless rejoicing be found?Is it somewhere within, buried deep down?Would it be foolish or wise to presumethat the passing of time makes our happiness bloom?No, we look to the child chosen and cherishedborn to die that His people not perish.We look to the one who endured such a loss,who for joy set before Him suffered the cross.Joy inexpressible only in Jesus.He finds us in sorrowful shackles and frees us.He is acquainted with all of our sadnessand turns all our mourning to glorious gladness.Look and you’ll see Him, just open your eyes.Seek and you’ll find Him, delight will arise.He is here. He has come. Let rejoicing abound.For He is where joy at its fullest is found.

Ross Lester discusses Luke 2:22-35, examining the salvation and faith of Simeon upon Jesus’ arrival.

Chaos rips and ravagesthe fearful, anxious heart.A war that wages, endlessand tears the self apart.Friends and family, strangers, neighborspoised at odds opposed.At worst, attempts to reconcileignored. At best, disposed.Greater still, hostilitystands towering betweenthe sin-filled man and Holy God,the traitor and the King.The world awaits with anxious pausefor rest and restoration.Yet perfect peace could not prevailwithout a confrontation.A son was sent through virgin’s wombto pay the ransom’s cost.The Righteous One would buy our peaceby blood of His own cross.Our peace has come to dwell with usHis life and death to bringthe sin-filled back to Holy God,the traitor to the King.Friends and family, strangers, neighborshave peace in which to live.For God Himself has died to proveHis enemies forgiv’n.While chaos rips and ravages,we see His plan unfurled.The Prince of Peace declares, “Take heart,I’ve overcome the world.”