The Austin Stone Podcast

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.

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.