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Further is a weekly show for the people of Harmony Bible Church, where we seek to revisit and expand on Sunday sermons, with the goal of growing deeper in Biblical truth that transforms our lives.
132 Episodes
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In this week’s Further, Brenton and Chris dive deep into Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit in John 14 and why it was actually to the disciples’ advantage that He go away. They unpack how the Spirit continues Jesus’ ministry today as our advocate, comforter, counselor, and friend, and why so many believers either overlook or misunderstand His work. Chris explains how our cultural views, busyness, and fear of surrender often keep us from walking in step with the Spirit. The two also talk about ...
In this episode of Further, Brenton Grimm sits down with pastors Clay Baker and Matt Mitchell to talk about why prayer can feel difficult and how we can grow in it. They unpack common struggles like self-reliance, distraction, and routine prayers that feel empty, and share practical ways to experience real intimacy with God. The conversation also clarifies Jesus’ promise that believers will do “greater works,” explaining that it’s about the Spirit’s power working through ordinary people, not ...
In this episode of Further, Brenton and Chris trace how the early church grew from a few thousand believers into the most influential movement of its time. They look at Acts 2:42 and discuss how faithful teaching, persecution, adoption, generosity, and unity fueled the spread of the gospel. Chris unpacks the balance between God’s holiness and His love, pointing to the cross as the perfect display of both. Together they explore Jesus’ command to love one another within the church, what that me...
After a heavy week in the life of the church, Brenton and Chris reflect on why some conversations are best saved for later and clarify Chris’s call to “listen to your pastors more”—not to exclude outside voices, but to prioritize the shepherds who know and oversee you. From John 13 and Mark 10, they unpack Jesus’ model of servant leadership: authority restrained for the good of others. They probe how pride hides in “helping” that centers ourselves, and offer everyday diagnostics—how we react ...
On this weeks episode, Brenton and Chris dive into John 13—why Jesus washed feet, why we don’t treat it as an ongoing ordinance, and what that means for serving one another today. They push back on the notion of a stoic Jesus, showing from Scripture that His full humanity includes real, expressed emotion—especially in the hours before the cross. Chris unpacks why Jesus sometimes speaks cryptically and how God uses “dark night of the soul” seasons (think Peter) to humble and form His people. T...
This week on Further, Brenton Grimm sits down with Clay Baker and Matt Mitchell to unpack John 12 and its themes of light, mercy, and judgment. Clay focused on the oneness of the Trinity, while Matt highlighted four reasons Jesus came—so that we might see the Father, walk in the light, experience mercy, and gain life. Together they addressed the tension in Jesus’ words, “I did not come to judge,” showing how mercy now points to a future judgment and our present call to confront sin with gentl...
This week on Further, Brenton Grimm is joined by regular guest Nathan Williams along with first-time guest Coleman Reed and Kyle Knoll, who recently preached at Harmony Bible Church’s Fort Madison and Burlington campuses. The group dives into John 12, exploring themes like the hardness of heart, God’s glory, and the meaning of Jesus drawing “all people” to Himself. They discuss the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, using examples from Isaiah, Pharaoh, and personal mi...
This week on Further, Brenton sits down with Paul Fischbach and Matt Mitchell to reflect on John 11 and the tension between God’s sovereignty and human sin. They discuss how Caiaphas’s pragmatic decisions serve as a warning against self-serving compromises, especially in leadership and personal life. The conversation dives into the comforting yet challenging truth that God works through even sinful choices to accomplish His purposes. Paul and Matt also explore common objections to God's sover...
In this episode of Further, Brenton sits down with Clay to talk through his recent sermon on anger from John 11. Clay shares how his own personal struggles with anger helped shape his message and how Jesus’ response to grief and brokenness reveals a purposeful, righteous anger. They discuss the difference between stuffing or venting anger and what it means to bring our emotions to Jesus with honesty and self-control. The conversation also highlights how pride, shame, and isolation can fuel ou...
This week on Further, Brenton is joined by Nate Todd and Tony Esslinger for a deep dive into John 11. They reflect on the story of Lazarus and how Jesus redirects Martha’s hope from an event to Himself. The conversation highlights the importance of slowing down when reading familiar passages, paying attention to what the people in the story were really experiencing. They also explore how real trust in Jesus grows through remembering His faithfulness, deepening relationship, and honest communi...
Andrew joins Brenton this week to give an update on global missions at Harmony, highlighting several student and adult trips happening over the summer. He shares stories of impactful missionary biographies, including Adoniram Judson, Amy Carmichael, and Jim Elliott, emphasizing their perseverance through suffering. The conversation then shifts to John 11 and the topic of suffering, with Andrew offering insights on how Christians can respond to pain with faith rather than empty phrases. They d...
In this episode of Further, Brenton and Chris dive into the issue of church hurt, exploring why it happens and how believers can respond in healthy, biblical ways. They discuss the importance of honest confrontation, following Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18, and how both real mistreatment and misinterpreted correction can cause pain. The conversation highlights the need for church cultures where people are fully known and still accepted, with grace and accountability held together. Chris also ...
In this episode of Further, Brenton and Chris dive into John 10 and explore what Jesus meant when He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” They unpack the dangers of prosperity gospel interpretations, particularly how such teachings distort the gospel and harm vulnerable communities. Drawing connections between John 10, Psalm 23, and Ezekiel 34, they highlight the biblical imagery of shepherds and the responsibilities of spiritual leaders. The conversation also touche...
In this episode of Further, Brenton Grimm is joined by Nathan Williams and Matt Mitchell to reflect on their recent sermons covering John 9. They discuss how Jesus’ reference to himself as the “Son of Man” ties directly to Daniel 7, signaling his divine identity—a point that would’ve been clear to the religious leaders of the time. The conversation then moves to a nuanced discussion of suffering, exploring whether it's always the result of personal sin. Drawing from Scripture and pastoral ins...
Brenton and Chris kick off the episode catching up on summer plans and family get-togethers. The conversation then shifts into a deep dive on John 8, focusing on Jesus’ statement about Abraham rejoicing to see his day. Chris explains the biblical and theological background behind this, drawing connections between Abraham’s faith and Jesus’ identity. They also explore how Jesus' calm response to insults teaches us to root our identity in God's approval rather than others’ opinions. The episode...
Brenton Grimm and Chris Carr explore the tension between biblical authority and personal interpretation in this episode of Further. They discuss the dangers of reading the Bible only through affirming or familiar lenses, emphasizing the need for humility and the willingness to be challenged. Chris explains why disagreement among scholars doesn't negate the clarity of essential gospel truths. The two also talk about the importance of reading Scripture more than commentary and how cultural Chri...
Brenton and Chris discuss the recent election of a new Pope and its cultural impact, especially from an evangelical perspective. Chris expresses concern over evangelicals being too enthusiastic about the Catholic Church without acknowledging key doctrinal differences—particularly around justification, papal authority, and Scripture. They transition into a deep dive on the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, contrasting it with views like "once saved, always saved." Chris emphasizes th...
This week on Further, Brenton Grimm hosts a full house with Matt Mitchell, Andrew Weise, and Paul Fischbach as they unpack different angles on the same passage from John. The group reflects on how Jesus' words about being "from above" challenge us to listen and respond with humility. Paul shares how preaching on sin—especially on Mother’s Day—required a careful balance of truth and grace, while Matt and Andrew emphasize the continuity of Jesus' message and the hope found in the gospel. Togeth...
In this week’s episode of Further, Brenton sits down with Nate Todd and Matt Mitchell to discuss what it means to “walk in the light” from both theological and personal perspectives. They explore the tension between our identity in Christ and our tendency to return to darkness, clarifying how walking in the light involves both a spiritual state and an ongoing practice. Both pastors share vulnerable stories of sin, repentance, and the freedom found in confession and grace. Whether you’re unsur...
In this episode, Brenton and Chris dive into the textual challenges of John 8:1–11 and why it still deserves our attention. They explore how we can trust the Bible despite manuscript differences, why both grace and truth are essential to gospel culture, and how the church can hold conviction without condemnation. They also discuss how the church can be a place where people are free to struggle while still being called to transformation. Email us at further@harmonybiblechurch.org If you have a...
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