Southland Christian Church

What does it really mean to call Jesus "the Lamb of God"? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil sits down with Scott to unpack what didn't make it into Sunday's message. From a very real and very unpredictable lamb on stage to the deep theology behind penal substitutionary atonement, they explore why starting the year with Jesus changes everything. The conversation moves from Genesis to the Gospel of John, from Passover streets stained with blood to our everyday temptation to earn what God freely gives. Todays conversation is rooted in the hope that we are sons and daughters and not spiritual free agents trying to prove ourselves.   Your challenge: Stop treating Jesus like your last resort. This week, make Him your first response before you fix, control, or react. Pray first. Then move. Watch what changes. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell What We Discuss Why Southland is starting the year focused on Jesus The meaning behind John the Baptist calling Jesus "the Lamb of God" The very real experience of using a live lamb on stage The foreshadowing of Jesus in the story of Abraham and Isaac What "penal substitutionary atonement" actually means The shocking reality of the Passover sacrifices Why there are no "JV" or "elite" Christians The danger of treating pastors like spiritual professionals What it really means to be a son or daughter of God How to make Jesus your first response instead of your last resort ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

John 1:29

What happens when the "problem child" grows up to lead the church? And what if the real prodigal in Jesus' story isn't the son at all? This week on The Cutting Room Floor Podcast, Neil sits down with Scott to unpack what didn't make it into Sunday's sermon on Luke 15. They talk about why the parable is really about an extravagant Father, not just a reckless son. Scott shares the parts he had to cut, the cultural context we often miss, and the symbolism behind robes, rings, and pigs. Scott opens up about getting kicked out of school and the people who refused to give up on him. You'll hear how radical grace changed his trajectory and why that same grace has to shape how we treat "one more" today. It's a reminder of who Southland has always been and who we're committed to be.   The Challenge: Who is your "one more"? This week, lay down a preference, take a risk, and invite someone. Grace changed your story…now let it shape theirs. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell What We Discuss: Why "The Prodigal Son" might be the wrong title The cultural weight of the son asking for his inheritance What feeding pigs really meant in Jewish culture The symbolism of the robe, ring, and sandals How the older brother missed his identity as a son Scott's story of detention, rebellion, and grace The leaders who refused to give up on him Why churches must make room for messy people What "one more" really looks like in everyday life ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Luke 15 Who is close to you but far from God?

What if becoming "different and better" takes longer than we'd like? And what if that slowness is actually grace? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, we sit down with Scott Nickell and Jon Weece to talk through what didn't make it into Sunday's sermon. The conversation moves from the weight of finishing a season, to the quiet faithfulness God builds over decades, to why ministry still comes down to loving the one right in front of you. This episode reflects on tested faith, spiritual patience, and the kind of obedience that grows slowly. It's honest, grounded, and full of reminders that God is faithful in every season, especially the transitional ones. The challenge: Slow down. Be patient. Stay intentional. God isn't finished with you yet and the work He's doing now is shaping something better. Hosts: Neil Gregory, Scott Nickell & Jon Weece What We Discuss Writing a sermon without adding pressure to "make it special" Why Jesus always noticed the one person in front of Him The emotion of closing a long chapter of ministry What faith looks like after it's been tested How gratitude shapes leadership transitions Why patience is essential to spiritual growth Fishing and farming as metaphors for discipleship The power of remembering what God has already done Moving forward with trust instead of urgency ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Mark 3:1-5 

What does it look like to pray when you're out of control? And what happens when desperation becomes the doorway to deeper trust? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil sits down with Matt Williams to unpack what didn't make it into Sunday's sermon on desperation and prayer. From hospital rooms to unanswered prayers, they talk honestly about what it means to depend on God when control slips through your fingers. The conversation moves from the Garden of Gethsemane to everyday life, parenting, grief, career changes, and reframes prayer as relational, not transactional. It's a reminder that surrender isn't weakness; it's training for trust.   The challenge: As you step into a new year, don't just ask what you want to add. Ask what God is inviting you to lay down. Where might surrender make room for deeper dependence? Hosts: Neil Gregory & Matt Williams What We Discuss Why desperation often reveals what we truly depend on Standalone sermons and the pressure of closing out the year Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as our model for prayer Prayer as relational rather than transactional How honesty and tears can become prayers Parenting, prayer, and reflecting the heart of the Father What it means to pray "Your will be done" when outcomes hurt The difference between hope and expectation Surrendering good things to say yes to better ones ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Matthew 26 ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

What happens when God breaks 400 years of silence? What if Christmas isn't just comfort and joy, but a call to clear the way? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil and Scott go deeper into Christmas According to Kids, Part 2, unpacking the story of John the Baptist, Mary, Elizabeth, and the moment when God's long silence finally ends. They explore how ancient prophecy collides with everyday faith, why John's whole life was about getting out of the way, and how Christmas awakens a deep longing, even in people far from God. From Malachi to the manger, from dragons to dinner tables, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the spiritual battle behind the nativity and the simple invitation Jesus still gives: come and see. The Challenge This Christmas, ask the question John's life demands: Who is near to me, but far from God? Then take one small step, ask a question, share your story, extend the invitation. Let Jesus do the rest. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell What We Discuss Why God's 400 years of silence matters more than we realize How Malachi's prophecy points directly to John the Baptist Why Christmas softens hearts in ways Easter often doesn't The power of asking simple, curious questions about faith "Come and see" as Jesus' most effective invitation strategy Spiritual warfare hiding in plain sight in the Christmas story Finding comfort and joy without pretending everything is okay Why your story with Jesus matters more than having all the answers ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Weekend Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

What if the wonder you lost somewhere between wrapping paper, deadlines, and traffic could actually come back and lead you straight to Jesus? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil sits down with Scott to talk Christmas nostalgia, and Mary's fierce childlike faith. In a season that can feel rushed and noisy, the conversation invites us to look through the eyes of a teenager from Nazareth, one who didn't just hope God could move, but trusted He would.   Mary's response wasn't sentimental; it was courageous. Saturated in Scripture, rooted in promise, she embraced a calling far beyond her understanding with a simple, steady "Let it be." That's the invitation of Christmas: not to do more, perform better, or polish ourselves into worthiness, but to stand in awe at the God who came near. Your Challenge: This week, act like a kid on purpose. Slow down. Notice beauty. Drink cocoa. Look at lights. Let wonder lead you back to worship, not worry.  Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell ⸻ What We Discuss Scott's unapologetic love for Christmas Why Die Hard is (apparently) a Christmas movie The return of Christmas According to Kids and why the team ran it back   Mary's Magnificat and her surprising theological grit   Humble obedience vs. trying to "do better" Scripture memory  Recovering dangerous wonder in a grown-up world When faith feels like microscope vs. telescope living   How worship, lights, music, and tradition awaken childlike joy Christmas and Easter: morning and night of the same story   ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

What if the love you're giving, and the love you're expecting, aren't the same thing? In this week's episode of The Cutting Room Floor, Neil and Scott wrap up an 11-week journey through men, women, and marriage. They explore what didn't make it into Sunday's sermon, from C.S. Lewis insights, to Greek word studies on love, to the work that needs to be done in every relationship. Together they unpack why fixing our eyes on Jesus is the only way marriage makes sense at all. Challenge: This week, choose one action that demonstrates love or respect, and practice it without expecting anything in return. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell ⸻ What We Discuss The divine drama of marriage and why it can't simply end with "try harder" What "love and respect" actually mean, and how they're misused The four Greek words for love and why agape changes everything Why biblical love feels impossible without Jesus Tough and tender: the two postures every husband must hold Emotional homework for men (and why anger is rarely the real emotion) Niceness vs. kindness and why only one is a fruit of the Spirit How to recognize the Shepherd's voice in a world full of noise What couples should starve and what they should feed in their marriage ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Ephesians 5:21-33 | Join us as Scott unpacks God's intention for marriage in a sermon on love and respect versus bitterness and resentment.

What if the very things that feel like obstacles are actually the places God wants to deepen unity, honesty, and love? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, Neil and Jon dive into the real and raw process of becoming "one." From the emotional and spiritual oneness that takes decades to form, to the hidden dangers of emotional attachments, this conversation goes far beyond Sunday's teaching. Whether you're dating, newly married, deep in the "Kansas" part of the journey, or decades in, this episode offers a hopeful reminder: you're not alone, and God is shaping something good. Your challenge: Take time this week to ask, with humility, How have I hurt you recently? Then listen without defending. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Jon Weece ⸻ What We Discuss Why emotional and spiritual oneness takes years, not days, to develop   How cultural expectations warp our view of "instant" connection Why older couples can become one of the greatest resources for younger marriages The hidden dangers of emotional attachments and comparison through social media   How past sexual experiences create lingering soul ties, and how God heals them   Why honesty breaks the lie that "you're the only one struggling" The power of intentional conversations that rebuild trust and closeness How to keep stress from pulling you apart The value of pre-marriage counseling, community, and seeking wisdom before you're in crisis Why selflessness and not fairness, is the engine of a healthy marriage ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and we follow Him into that work. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Ephesians 5:21-33 | Join us as Jon unpacks God's intention for marriage in a sermon on beauty and mystery versus boring and monotonous. 

What if the most intimidating parts of marriage are actually invitations from God to build something stronger, not scarier? And what if submission, sacrifice, and responsibility look far different than what culture assumes? This week on The Cutting Room Floor, the conversation gets honest and unavoidably practical as we dive into the marriage portion of the Toy Stories mega-series. Scott unpacks the beauty and weight of Ephesians 5, why this familiar passage deserves fresh eyes, and how men and women can step into their God designed roles with humility instead of fear. From the responsibility of headship to the strength behind the word "helper," from covenant relationships to the call for purity, this episode gives shape to what biblical marriage is meant to be and why it matters for everyone, married or not. Your challenge: Take an honest look at the posture of your heart this week. Where do you need to humble yourself, submit to Jesus, or take ownership in your home?  Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell ⸻ What We Discuss  Why familiar Bible passages can be the hardest to teach  Headship as responsibility, not dominance, and why it should drive men to their knees  The strength and dignity behind the biblical word helper (ezer kenegdo)  What submission actually means (and doesn't) in light of Jesus  Covenant vs. contract and why culture keeps confusing the two  The three paths back to honoring Jesus in relationships  Why gathering for worship matters more than we admit, and why men especially should lift holy hands  The importance of community when you're trying to grow, heal, or rebuild  Friendship as the often overlooked foundation of a lasting marriage ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give

Ephesians 5:21-33 | Join us as Scott unpacks God's intention for marriage in a sermon on real roles versus interchangeable parts.

What if the very thing you're trying to avoid is the thing God wants to redeem? This week, Neil and Scott walk through the story of Ruth, a story filled with grief, loyalty, risk, and the surprising ways God works through ordinary obedience. Scott unpacks how Ruth's story confronts the lies culture sells us, reframes what submission truly means, and invites us to trust God with our whole lives, even the painful parts. The challenge: Ask yourself honestly: Do I really believe Jesus is who He says He is? Because if so, it changes everything, how we love, how we sacrifice, and how we lay down our lives every day. Hosts: Neil Gregory & Scott Nickell What We Discuss: Why Ruth was chosen to close the Women series The surprising meaning behind the names in Ruth Why Naomi's bitterness resonates with so many of us The risky nature of Ruth's visit to the threshing floor Boaz as a picture of Jesus, the Kinsman Redeemer What "submission" actually means (and what it doesn't) How bitterness becomes an identity if left unchecked The reality of emotional vs. visual pornography Why repentance doesn't erase consequences The simple but costly call to die daily ⸻ About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. We want what He wants: for heaven to be really crowded. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give