Resident Strangers

Happy Easter! Or should we say, Resurrection Day! Today we are sharing with you a conversation we had back in November on the incredible value of the resurrection. You've heard this conversation before, but it is a great listen for this resurrection Sunday!Steve and Rich specifically highlight the incredible value the resurrection has in this episode. The latter part of 1 Corinthians 15 is referenced throughout this episode so we would encourage you to familiarize yourself with it. How does the resurrection affect your life today? Can you answer that? The resurrection affects everything about our lives. It is crucial that we understand this because there is an enemy who wants us to continue to live in the guilt and shame of our sin that has been paid for. Steve tells us that the resurrection reminds us that we stand today in the sight of our God in Jesus completely righteous. We are His beloved children. Rich reminds us that the resurrection brings so much hope and comfort in times of suffering and trial. Knowing that Jesus rose from the dead just like He said He would is certainly a comfort and truth to hold onto. Steve goes through a list of reasons that the resurrection brings value today and we've listed those below. Our understanding of the resurrection should give us an urgency to preach and share the Gospel. We are His ambassadors, preaching the reconciliation brought by the resurrection. This is an episode you'll want to share, and we would love it if you would do that!Five Reasons Why The Resurrection Has Value Today:The resurrection assures us of our standing in forgiveness We are assured that this world is not our home, of a better day and of life everlasting - all by the resurrection The power we have in Christ through the Holy Spirit who lives within us to live in victoryJesus is Lord over all and we know that without a shadow of a doubt because He conquered death The resurrection gives us hopeChrist is Risen by Mack BrockQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world. 

This episode focuses on silent Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter. It's not a day that is typically recognized. Have you ever stopped to think about what that day might have been like? We know the end of the story but those that were there in that time had to face whether what they had been told about the resurrection was true. What we can gather from scripture is that those who had followed Jesus were huddled together in processing their despair and questioning if their faith would be made sight. It serves as a great reminder of the importance of community. Many of us have experienced our own silent Saturdays in life through hardships. Whether it's a disheartening diagnosis, a death, financial crisis, whatever it is - community in Christ is so important. Through it all we know that God is a God who makes good on His promises. We certainly see that in the resurrection.If you are local to Goodyear, we would like to invite you to attend our Easter services happening March 30th at 3:30pm + 5:00pm and March 31st at 6:00am, 8:00am, 9:30am + 11:00am. Streaming at dscchurch.com too. 

This episode focuses on the events of Good Friday. Steve walks us through a timeline of that day, starting very early in the morning on Friday. The episode ends with a reading of John 20:30-31. John recorded the events in this book to persuade us to believe that Jesus truly is the Messiah. We hope this helps you to reflect on your belief in Jesus and the magnitude of the cross. If you are local to Goodyear, we would like to invite you to attend our March 29th Good Friday services, this evening from 5:00pm-8:00pm. This is an open-house style service where you can come to take communion, reflect and pray. We encourage you to take space to be quiet with the Lord today.

Today's episode focuses on John 13:1-14 (NIV). Rich gives us some background on what some know as Maundy Thursday. This is a remembrance of the night that Jesus spent with His disciples. An amazing thing to draw out from this passage is that Jesus washed His disciples' feet. His care for His disciples was so evident, He loved them until the very end. He even washed Judas' feet knowing that he would betray Him. This is Jesus' last time with HIs disciples until after the resurrection. As followers of Christ, we can learn so much from how Jesus handled this night. That picture of humility and serving is unmatched.Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us tomorrow for Devotional 7.

Today's episode focuses on Luke 21:1-13 (NIV). It is Wednesday of Passion Week and in a little over 24 hours Jesus will be betrayed. In a little over 48 hours, He will be on the cross. We see Jesus' care and compassion for others as He tells this story of the widow. There is nothing small in the eyes of God when it is done in a heart of faith. As Jesus talks of His second coming, He is reminding those then and us now that there is a greater plan. We are called to bear the testimony of Jesus and that calling is very important to Him.Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us tomorrow for Devotional 6.

Today's episode focuses on Matthew 22:15-40 (NIV). The people bringing the questions in this passage were trying to trick Jesus and yet He handles this masterfully. He answers the questions in a way that conveys the truth to not only His audience then but to us living now. This is a passage that has been referenced in many episodes of Resident Strangers. In these answers we see that Jesus is most concerned about our hearts. We can learn a lot from Jesus in how he handled these people and their questions.Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us tomorrow for Devotional 5.

Today's episode focuses on Mark 11:11-17 (NIV). There should have been fruits of repentance; the fruit of embracing Jesus as Messiah but there wasn't. Jesus knew where this was going as He saw the lack of fruit. In a lot of ways Jesus was giving last warnings to Israel to repent in the days leading up to the cross. We cannot allow things in our lives to become more important than the worship and devotion of Jesus. Engaging with God comes first.Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us tomorrow for Devotional 4.

Happy Palm Sunday! Today's episode focuses on Matthew 21:1-9 (NIV). Jesus came on a lowly donkey knowing that what was ahead of Him was a very humiliating death. It's also interesting to stop and consider that those who praised Him so greatly on this day were the same ones who would shout "crucify Him" just five days later. Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us tomorrow for Devotional 3.

With Passion Week approaching Steve and Rich wanted to share some special devotionals on the Resident Strangers podcast as we prepare our hearts for Easter weekend. Starting today short 5-10 minute episodes will be released every day until Sunday, March 31st to help center your heart on scripture and gratitude for Jesus and His sacrifice. Today's episode focuses on John 12:1-3 (NASB).Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us tomorrow for Devotional 2.

Baptism is the focus of today’s conversation on Resident Strangers! Sarah, Steve, and Rich each share their own baptism stories, with special attention given to Rich’s journey, having been baptized first as an infant and later again in his teens after coming to faith in Christ.What does infant baptism really mean? Can it be considered believer’s baptism? Steve unpacks how infant baptism can sometimes create confusion, especially around salvation. So what does the Bible actually say about baptism?Scripture shows us early on that baptism follows belief; it is for those who have already placed their faith in Jesus. Simply put: believe, then be baptized. Rich walks through key passages that support this, raising an important question: how can an infant believe in Jesus by their own free will?The conversation also addresses a common misunderstanding: does baptism cleanse or forgive sin? This leads into a deeper discussion on original sin and salvation. Steve and Rich clearly explain that forgiveness comes through salvation in Christ alone, not through baptism. Baptism is a powerful symbol, but it only makes sense in light of saving faith. Salvation is not Jesus plus baptism; it is Jesus alone.If you’re following Jesus but haven’t yet taken the step of baptism, this episode challenges you to ask: what’s holding you back?Be sure to listen all the way through for a special announcement about Passion Week and Easter at the end of the episode!May 2024 (Mother's Day Weekend) Baptisms at DSCC - https://dscchurch.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2190355Randy Donithan's Stories Collective episode - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Abj4By5Sapk4lKLxwfthT?si=48db39d06c374cb9*Episode 104, available wherever you listen to podcastsDesert Springs' Doctrinal Statement -https://www.dscchurch.com/values-beliefsQuestions or comments?Email residentstrangers@dscchurch.com Would you please subscribe and leave us a review? This will help our podcast reach more people! We’d love it if you’d share this podcast with your friends on social media and beyond. Join us next Tuesday as we continue the discussion on how to think like a Christian in this foreign world.