The pastors tackle two listener questions about whether believers will “work” in heaven, sparked by a line in Sunday’s sermon. They emphasize humility, noting Scripture gives hints but not definitive clarity, and that Christians can faithfully disagree on this low-tier doctrinal issue. Will walks through common biblical arguments for work in the new creation—Genesis 2, God’s work, angelic activity, Revelation 22, Isaiah 65, and Jesus’ parables—but explains why none of them conclusively convince him. All three remind listeners not to miss the central point: the greatest joy of heaven isn’t our tasks but being fully in the presence of God.

Brian, Thad, and Will, address a listener’s question about why and how miscarried babies go to heaven, acknowledging the emotional weight and theological complexity of the topic.

They outline key biblical principles—such as God’s perfect justice and mercy, the reality of original sin, and scriptural hints like David expecting to see his deceased infant again—that collectively support the belief that God graciously saves infants who cannot consciously reject or receive revelation.

While Scripture doesn’t give a single definitive verse, they conclude that God’s character and the broader witness of Scripture allow Christians to trust that miscarried and young children are welcomed into God’s presence through Christ.

Brian, Thad, and Will, held a discussion centered on the question, "How sinful is gluttony?" Timed for the Thanksgiving holiday, the conversation began by establishing a biblical basis for a hierarchy of sins, arguing that while all sin separates one from God, not all sins carry the same weight or consequences. They defined gluttony not merely as being overweight but as an addiction to food used to fill an emotional or spiritual void. The pastors explored why gluttony is often treated as a "respectable sin" in the church, citing its pervasiveness, the complexity of one's relationship with food, and cultural factors like the body positivity movement. They concluded by discussing the importance of addressing such sins with pastoral sensitivity and accountability, and offered thoughts on what it looks like to eat to the glory of God through moderation, thankfulness, and true celebration.

In an episode of "Ask the Pastors," host Brian and Pastors Thad and Will discussed the viral slang term "six seven." They explained its origins from a rap song by an artist named Skrilla, who they noted is an open practitioner of the occult religion Santeria. The conversation explored the term's cultural meaning as "brain rot" and a symbol of meaninglessness, as recognized by its selection as Dictionary.com's Word of the Year. The pastors argued that Christians should care about this trend, not necessarily because their children are engaging in occult practices, but because it represents a cheapening of language and a discipleship opportunity.

The pastors discuss the question of whether Christians should send their children to public school, private school, or homeschool. They shared their diverse personal experiences with each system and shared pros and cons for each.

Brian, Will, and Thad, address a listener's question about the biblical stance on gambling, with a specific focus on the newly legalized and pervasive practice of sports betting. 

Brian, Will and Thad, and pastoral assistant Jeffery address a listener's question about the Word of Faith movement.

This conversation was the second part of a discussion where the pastors explained the reasoning behind the structure of their corporate worship service. They began by discussing the introduction of the Pastoral Prayer, detailing its purpose and structure.

The conversation then moved to the sermon, covering topics such as its ideal length, the practice of standing for the reading of scripture, and the importance of preaching the gospel every week. They also explained why they do not practice traditional altar calls, citing concerns about manipulation and false assurance.

The discussion concluded by covering the final elements of their service: communion, the closing song, and the final commissioning or benediction, explaining the theological and practical reasons for how each is conducted.

Will's TGC articles:

5 Reasons for the Pastoral Prayer: www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/rea…4e32112f6e4

Why I Lead a Sinner’s Prayer Every Sunday: www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/sin…yer-sunday/

The pastors discuss the biblical and theological rationale behind the structure of their Sunday corporate worship service.

Pastors Thad and Will, hosted by Austin Gooch, discussed the popular Netflix movie "K-Pop Demon Hunters." They analyzed the film's plot, which involved a trio of K-pop stars who fought demons using music and spiritual weapons. The central question revolved around whether Christian parents should allow their children to dress up as characters from the movie for Halloween. The pastors dissected the movie's themes, such as shame, acceptance, spiritual warfare, and community, identifying both "half-truths" that aligned with Christian concepts and problematic messages, particularly the idea of self-acceptance without redemption. They debated the pros and cons of the Halloween costumes, weighing the potential for evangelistic conversations against the tacit approval of the movie's jumbled spiritual message. The conversation concluded with an exhortation for the church to be a place where people could bring their brokenness and find true acceptance and transformation in the gospel.

This conversation covers the pastors’ reflections on their personal and pastoral responses to the assassination of public figure Charlie Kirk. They discussed their initial reactions of shock, sadness, and anger, and explored themes of prayer for the victim's family, the perpetrator, and the nation. The conversation also covered the desensitization of culture to violence, the spiritual nature of the conflict, and the hope that the tragedy might serve as a "wake-up call" for Christians to become more bold in their faith and evangelism, all while emphasizing the ultimate hope of the gospel and eternal life.

This conversation explores why responding to the gospel in faith is not considered a "work" that earns salvation. The pastors explain from a Reformed theological perspective that faith is not a meritorious human action but rather a gift from God.

This is a discussion among several pastors about the biblical perspective on God's judgment and punishment of sin, particularly in the context of natural disasters and calamities. The pastors examine the differences between how God dealt with sin and disobedience in the Old Testament, especially in the book of Numbers, versus how God deals with sin in the New Testament era after the coming of Jesus. [05:36] They also analyze the problems with making direct connections between specific disasters and God's judgment, as some high-profile Christian figures have done. [04:04]

The conversation discusses the Catholic Church's beliefs about the role and authority of the Pope. The pastors explore topics such as apostolic succession, papal infallibility, and the Pope's title as the "Vicar of Christ". [30:06] They compare and contrast the Catholic perspective with a Protestant/evangelical view on these issues. [36:56]

The conversation discusses the relationship between spiritual gifts and common gifts, specifically focusing on the gift of wisdom. [14:28] The pastors explain that spiritual gifts are not meant to suggest that some Christians lack certain attributes, but rather that God distributes gifts in varying degrees. [03:48] They emphasize that all believers are called to pursue and develop these gifts, regardless of their natural inclinations. [07:45]

The conversation covers the history of West Hills Church, formerly known as Bethany Baptist Church, over the past 35 years. It discusses the church's growth, challenges, and key ministries during this period, as well as the transitions in pastoral leadership.

This is part one of the history of West Hills Church (formerly Bethany Baptist Church). [00:16] The interview features several long-time members of the church sharing their memories and perspectives on the founding and early years of the church.

How can the desire to make money be Godly? Our pastors discuss that in this episode!

The main topic discussed is the ongoing intercessory work of Christ at the right hand of the Father, and how this impacts our understanding of God's disposition toward believers. [06:48]

The pastors discussed various topics related to the possibility of life on other planets from a Christian theological perspective. [02:55] They explored whether scripture allows for belief in life on other planets, whether Christ's substitutionary atonement would apply to intelligent life on other planets, and the implications of finding human life on other planets. They also briefly discussed the concept of a multiverse and their views on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). [37:33]