The Austin Stone Podcast

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.”

Matt Blackwell explores Luke 1:39–45, examining Elizabeth’s reaction to Jesus’ miraculous conception.

When life is not perfect, in order, or cleanwhat lifts our eyes whenever we fall?There's something more, beyond what is seenfor hope that is seen is not hope at all.What gives us hope amidst life’s despairsand grief that comes with them?None but the one who takes all our caresthe truest, most faithful friend.For we have seen what can’t be seen.This hope, He has a nameJesus Christ the King of Kings.In death, he bore our shame.The God of hope has come to usand as we trust in Him,the Holy Spirit fills us upand brings our hope to brim.The image of the unseen God arrived in flesh to showHe is the brighter day to come. He alone, our hope.

Ross Lester examines Mary’s response to the news of Jesus’ arrival using Luke 1:26-37.

Will Bostian explores Hebrews 11:5-6 and Enoch’s walk with God.

Ross Lester walks through Hebrews 11:4, exploring Abel’s radical faith in God.

Halim Suh leads us in our continued exploration of Hebrews; this sermon covers Hebrews 11:1-3.

Ross Lester leads us in our continued exploration of Hebrews; this sermon covers Hebrews 10:26-39.

Ross Lester leads us in our continued exploration of Hebrews; this sermon covers Hebrews 10:19-25.

Halim Suh digs into Hebrews 10:1-18 which boldly declares the truth that God is not just with you, but His Spirit is active and working in you.

Ross Lester explores Hebrews 9:15-28 to answer three questions: What do you do with a Messiah who dies? Why did He have to? How does that death enable life in His followers today?

In 2020, everything in Tobin’s life changed. In God’s kindness, he was blessed with a wife. And then the whole world changed. During the pandemic, many dreaded that certain text—the one where you learn that someone you were with has tested positive for COVID-19. In the summer of 2021, after a fun night of socializing with a few friends, Tobin got that text. Within a few days, he started to feel sick and continued to worsen until two weeks later, Tobin was unable to breathe and was admitted to the hospital. Even as a chaplain came to perform last rites and Tobin said goodbye to his wife over the phone, the Lord was with him, and he recalled John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” What a powerful reminder. What a powerful testimony. And what a powerful and sovereign God we serve. Today, Tobin’s life is forever changed, and we’re grateful to share Tobin’s message today that “God’s not finished with us yet, because we’re still here.”

Will Bostian digs into Hebrews 9:1-14 which relays a beautiful truth—that Jesus is the perfect High Priest who deals perfectly with our guilt and gives us perfect freedom to draw near to God.

“So, what are you going to do next?” This seemingly simple question was nearly impossible for Peter to answer. After two years on the mission field, it was like trying to answer, “Who are you, and who are you going to be?”Peter and his wife left to be goers in Southeast Asia with the deep conviction from Scripture that God wanted all tribes, tongues, and nations to worship Him. But those first two years in the field were tough; in fact, they were two of the hardest years he and his wife had ever experienced. When they returned, Peter felt God urging him to reprioritize his marriage and something else too—God began showing Himself to Peter in a fresh way. After a season of exhaustion, God met Peter and his wife with the care that they needed, as their Austin Stone community stepped in to care, empathize, and give them the space to rest and recover.Peter’s story is ongoing. Through his life and his testimony, we see a God who’s not shy about changing our plans and setting us on new paths—all to see His name made great in our lives and the lives of others!

“If You’re putting pause on an area of my life, that doesn’t mean that I’ve failed. It doesn’t mean that You’re withholding anything from me. It means that there’s something new for this season that I’m in.”During her residency at The Austin Stone, Lauren became more deeply rooted in the firm foundation of Christ. But it didn’t happen overnight. Her journey to grow those deep roots started in 2016 when she started attending The Austin Stone. Her heart for ministry quickly grew, and Lauren began discerning whether or not God was calling her to full-time ministry. Through fear but plenty of faith in God’s hand on her life, Lauren left the comfortable world of students and college ministries to apply for the worship ministry.But Lauren’s residency didn’t end in the worship ministry. The Lord walked with her through a surprising ministry career shift, producing more faith and holiness along the way.

Ross Lester digs into Hebrews 8:1-13 and important parallels with the current and early church in how we view, value, and love Christ.

“We serve a God who meets us where we are and takes us where He wanted us to be.” When Carmen got married, she never imagined where she’d be in 2018. That raising kids would be so challenging. That her husband would get sick. That he would pass away.When Carmen’s husband passed away six years ago, she began attending The Austin Stone. At that time, she was struggling with a growing reliance on alcohol. Carmen felt burdened with responsibility, and like many of us, and used alcohol to find some peace. But the Lord used a sermon about idolatry to explicitly call her back to Himself, and from that day forward, despite ups and downs, she was never the same.Carmen’s is a story of God’s relentless love for us. It’s a story of relapse and recovery. Of a mother who wanted a brighter future for her children. And it’s a story of God’s unending pursuit of His children and His children’s children.

No one anticipates their marriage will face deep hardships. Even more so, no one expects a sermon on divorce to draw them deeper into the body of Christ.In 2014, Candy and her husband separated, and shortly after, a friend invited her to The Austin Stone. Transitioning churches is always hard, but Candy was committed to link arms with a body of believers that aligned deeply with her love for truth. So she gave The Stone a try, first by listening to a Matt Carter sermon on divorce. “It was probably one of the hardest messages I’ve ever listened to, but also one that felt the most true to me,” she remembers.In the months to come, Candy experienced the deep loss and pain of divorce. But in God’s kindness, she also experienced countless examples of God’s love for her through her small group and leaders who were active and present with her and her daughters as they searched for hope after divorce. Through all of it, Candy heard the Lord share a consistent message she’s now sharing with all of us: “Nothing you go through is wasted. Even the hard things we walk through, God uses all of it. No matter how hard it is, God uses all of it for His glory.”

Halim Suh spends time looking at what it means that Jesus is an intercessor, a better hope, and our forever priest.

Barbara was excited when her church became part of The Austin Stone family, and then the pandemic hit, and she was suddenly isolated from her new church family. But God knew what she needed, and as He cared for her, Barbara felt God saying, “I care about relationships. I care about friendships.”God was faithful to bring these women together to experience His love through one another. Barbara says, “God has continued to knit us together in this relationship. It’s beyond explanation—because all of us are different. All of us have different things going on in our lives. And yet, God has said, ‘This is something I’m giving you.’”

“How has God been faithful in your life?” We asked six partners this question in our new series, Stories from The Austin Stone, and their answers beautifully display God’s goodness to His people.

Ross Lester spends time looking at what it means for us to be multigenerational investors.

Tyler David spends time looking at what it means for us to be welcoming witnesses

Ross Lester spends time looking at what it means for us to be equipped ambassadors.

Matt Blackwell spends time looking at what it means for us to be established and healthy congregations united together in mission.

On today’s digital service, Ross Lester explores our 2030 vision narrative—focusing on what it means to be joyfully devoted disciples.

Halim Suh spends time in Psalm 42 where we see how we can return to hoping in God when life’s circumstances cause us to become hopeless.

Ross Lester spends time in Psalm 2 to walk through four clear sections in the passage—showing that wisdom and blessing lie in submission to the King.

Andy Kampman spends time in Psalm 96 to consider what the outpouring of a worshipful heart looks like.

Stephen Foster, Downtown Elder, leads us through Psalm 19 to show how God speaks His glory through creation, speaks life-giving commands through Scripture, and speaks salvation over us through Jesus.

Devin Garza spends time in Psalm 30 where we see that suffering has a unique way making us to realize we are helpless, but we can approach Jesus honestly and fully rely on His power and strength.

Scott Hekman spends time in Psalm 73 where we see that true contentment comes from God’s Word refining our deepest feelings.

Walt Lengel examines Psalm 90 to show how wisdom in hardship comes through submitting to God and seeking compassion from Him.

Matt Blackwell spends time looking at Hebrews 7:11-19 and the hope we have in the One who is the perfect Son, the perfect sacrifice, and the indestructible life.

Ross Lester looks at Hebrews 7:1-10 to show that, in Jesus, we have a priest who is a king and a king who is a priest, we have righteousness and peace, we have eternal representation and security, and we have every blessing we could ever need.

Matt Blackwell looks at Hebrews 6:13-20 and the hope in God's promise.

Halim Suh looks at Hebrews 6:1-12 to examine the question of, fruit of, and assurance of salvation.

Jimmy McNeal discusses spiritual maturity and its significance to our faith.

Ross Lester looks at how Jesus’ heavenly calling, gentle understanding, perfect suffering, and eternal salvation cement Him as our true and better High Priest.

Halim Suh continues our study of Hebrews by looking at what it means for us to hold fast to our confession and draw near the throne of grace.

Ross Lester explores the characteristics of God’s Word outlined in Hebrews 4:12-13.

Jimmy McNeal helps us explore how persistently resting in the finished work of Jesus helps us long for and progress toward the eternal rest with God our souls desperately crave.

Halim Suh looks at Hebrews 3:7-19 and answers how we can have assurance and confidence in the truth that if Jesus has begun a work in us, He will bring it to completion.

Ross Lester examines Hebrews 3:1-6 to help us consider the reality of who Jesus is, who He made us to be, and how we may keep moving forward in faithfulness.

Ross Lester opens 1 Corinthians 15 and looks at how the resurrection of Jesus changes everything.