UBC Podcasts
UBC Podcast Network
There's more to discover beyond Sunday mornings! Enjoy Sunday Sermons and go deeper with Sermon Discussions, explore everything going on at UBC with Ministry Matters, and receive biblical guidance on cultural issues with Cultural Commentary.
Every Sunday · Discussions midweek
Sermons & Sermon Discussions
Weekly Sunday messages from UBC, plus a follow-up podcast where our teachers dive deeper into Scripture and answer your questions from the sermon.
Send your questions to sermonquestions@ubcbeavercreek.com
Latest Episodes
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 6:1-4
The Main Idea:
The secret life of giving seeks the reward of God instead of the recognition of man
3 Questions to Consider:
- Are you giving?
- What are you giving for?
- Is your giving to others motivated by God’s gift to you?
Discussion Questions:
Two people asked about this, so we will combine their questions here - Does giving to the needy have to be monetary? When listening to sermons on what giving is, I've heard pastors explain it as giving your time, talents, and/or treasures. So my question is: is this passage speaking to just giving of your treasures, or also of your time and talents? Jason's examples focused a lot on your bank account/finances so I was hoping to get some clarification on the context and original intent of the text.
Again, we received 2 questions that asked about the same thing, so we’ll combine them here as well. The questions boil down to this - How do you determine who is “needy”? What about people who beg or panhandle? I grew up in a small town and I never saw anyone begging on street corners until moving to the Dayton area. I have visited some big cities, like San Diego, where homelessness and begging are rampant. I’ve struggled with how to help and support these people biblically. There does seem to be a reasonable argument that giving money may encourage or enable poor choices (e.g dependency or purchasing drugs of abuse) but is that concern consistent with Scripture? On the other hand, I do participate in serving at Target Dayton a local church for the homeless that tries to meet both physical and spiritual needs. This more comprehensive ministry seems like a better recipient of our talents and treasure. Is it right to walk/drive past a beggar while being charitable in other ways? Am I sinfully ignoring someone in need?
Thank you for listening and sending in your questions. As a reminder you can send your questions to SermonQuestions@ubcbeavercreek.com.
00:00 – Intro
00:41 – The Secret Life of Giving: Matthew 6:1–4
03:49 – Giving in Secret: The Prohibition, Prescription & Promise
04:37 – What Does Jesus Mean by Giving to the Needy?
06:19 – Does Giving Have to Be Financial, or Can It Include Time and Talents?
07:20 – What the Bible Means by Giving to the Needy
10:30 – Outward Righteousness vs. Inward Righteousness
12:24 – How Do We Know Who Is Truly in Need?
13:47 – Should We Give Money to People Who Panhandle?
16:04 – When Does Giving Enable Someone's Sin?
16:42 – How to Discern When and Who to Give To
18:08 – Does Jesus Want Us to Give to Everyone Who Asks?
19:25 – "Do for One What You Wish You Could Do for All"
21:20 – Developing a Heart of Compassion for Those in Need
21:52 – Why Serving the Poor Changes Your Perspective
24:13 – Seeing Those in Need as Image Bearers of God
26:23 – Praying for Discernment and a Heart for the Poor
27:04 – Does It Matter What Someone Does With the Money We Give?
27:54 – Jesus' Teaching: "You Will Always Have the Poor"
Scripture Reference:
1 Corinthians 16:13–24
The Main Idea:
A maturing church is a community of believers whose lives together increasingly reflect the character of Christ, the wisdom of God, and the transforming power of the gospel.
Read the 15 characteristics of a maturing church.
- Pursues unity in Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 3:1–23)
- Seeks godly wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5)
- Practices sexual purity. (1 Corinthians 5:1–13; 6:12–20)
- Serves one's spouse in marriage. (1 Corinthians 7:1–16)
- Cultivates relational contentment. (1 Corinthians 7:17–24)
- Settles disputes through forgiveness rather than lawsuits. (1 Corinthians 6:1–11)
- Prioritizes love over Christian liberties. (1 Corinthians 8:1–9:27)
- Worships Christ alone and does not participate with idols. (1 Corinthians 10:1–11:1)
- Embraces God's design for headship and authority. (1 Corinthians 11:2–16)
- Uses spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:1–31)
- Lives with love as the greatest gift. (1 Corinthians 13:1–13)
- Practices orderly and sensible worship. (1 Corinthians 14:1–40)
- Rejoices in the hope of the resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1–58)
- Gives financially to support God's work. (1 Corinthians 16:1–12)
- Shows hospitality to God's people. (1 Corinthians 16:13–24)
Discussion Questions:
In today’s sermon you mentioned how we are to stay in Christ alone and to stay away from worshiping idols and such. I would like to know how churches justify doing Trunk or Treats for Halloween. It seems to me that celebrating a holiday that has its roots in satanic culture is not something churches should participate in.
I have a question about the message today. When Paul discussed let those without “love for the Lord” be accursed, is he discussing people inside the church or outside?
Resources:
Halloween, Horror Movies, and Reformation Day | Cultural Commentary Episode 05: https://youtu.be/kN6LSJB7G1Q?si=EQMlT3Fb_0aFCVkL
Thank you for listening and sending in your questions. As a reminder you can send your questions to SermonQuestions@ubcbeavercreek.com.
00:00 – Intro
05:04 – UBC’s Podcast Network
09:17 – How the Gospel Matures a Messy Church (1 Corinthians 16)
10:57 – 15 Ways to Grow in Spiritual Maturity
13:22 – Should Churches Participate in Halloween and Trunk-or-Treat?
16:11 – Being a Light in a Culture Focused on Darkness
18:15 – Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Issues: When Should Christians Disagree?
22:22 – Does Paul’s Warning Apply to People Inside or Outside the Church?
23:26 – What Does It Mean to Be “Accursed”? (1 Corinthians 16:22)
24:00 – The Wheat and the Weeds: Can Someone Be in Church but Not Be Saved?
27:54 – Did Pastor Jason Speak in Tongues?
Ministry & theology conversations
Ministry Matters
Conversations about ministry and theology from the leaders of UBC, helping us become wholehearted followers of Jesus Christ who know Him and make Him known.
Send your questions to podcast@ubcbeavercreek.com
Latest Episodes
Weekly · The news through the lens of Scripture
Cultural Commentary
Thoughtful interviews with church leaders and subject-matter experts who help us think clearly and biblically about the issues shaping our world.
Send your questions to culturalcommentary@ubcbeavercreek.com
