The Austin Stone Podcast

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.

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.