Ever wondered what the book of Acts is actually doing from start to finish? 📖🔥 In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan and Skyler dive into Part 2 of our intro to Acts, unpacking how Acts 1:8 is not just a memory verse, it’s the built-in outline of the whole book. From Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria to the ends of the earth, we trace how persecution, revival, and one wild conversion (Saul ➝ Paul) turned the world upside down. We talk mission, maps, riots, bacon, and why too few Chris...
The Holy Spirit doesn’t fill us to sit still—He fills us to go. 🌍 Right before His ascension, Jesus gave a promise and a purpose: “You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses.” That same power that shook the early church still fuels believers today. But too many Christians live powerless lives because they’ve confused comfort for calling. This episode unpacks what it really means to walk in the Spirit’s power—courage instead of fear, conviction instead of compromise, mission instea...
📖 What if the Book of Acts isn’t just history, it’s the blueprint for revival today? In this first episode of a two-part deep dive, Nolan and Pastor Skyler crack open the Book of Acts to prepare for a new series at The Garden. This isn’t just an intro—it’s a compelling look at what made the early church powerful, messy, and unstoppable. You’ll learn: Why Acts is the right book for this cultural momentThe real identity of Theophilus (and how he’s like modern gospel patrons)How church persecu...
Should Christians celebrate Halloween or is it demonic? In this episode of Skeptics and Saints, Nolan and Skyler take a deep dive into the theology, history, and cultural meaning of Halloween. From ancient Roman festivals where Christians were killed for not bowing to false gods, to neighborhood trick-or-treating in Spider-Man costumes, the conversation spans everything from first-century martyrdom to modern-day conscience. They unpack: • Why early Christians were called “atheists”&nb...
After a short break, Skeptics & Saints is back! 🙌 In this powerful episode, Nolan sits down with longtime friend Skyler Elmer, who just joined The Garden Church as a Teaching Pastor. Skyler shares his incredible story — from being an atheist who mocked Christians, to finding faith, to becoming a pastor and teacher of God’s Word. Together, Nolan and Skyler reflect on their early days of basement Bible studies, hard lessons from ministry, and the importance of humility, prayer, and quick o...
⁉️ Yep, we’re asking the question: Who is the church really for? The seasoned saints? The skeptical outsider? 🤨⚡ This conversation will break down into three parts: 1️⃣ What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about building up the unbeliever 2️⃣ Why Spirit-filled and Bible-rooted aren't enemies but essential allies 3️⃣ How to invite your friends to church with confidence and compassion In this episode, we dive deep into how church can be a space that speaks to both the convinced and the curious....
⁉️ Yep, we’re asking the question: Who is the church really for? The seasoned saints? The skeptical outsider? 🤨⚡ This conversation will break down into three parts: 1️⃣ What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about building up the unbeliever 2️⃣ Why Spirit-filled and Bible-rooted aren't enemies but essential allies 3️⃣ How to invite your friends to church with confidence and compassion In this episode, we dive deep into how church can be a space that speaks to both the convinced and the curious....
⁉️ Yep, we’re asking the question: Who is the church really for? The seasoned saints? The skeptical outsider? 🤨⚡ This conversation will break down into three parts: 1️⃣ What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14 about building up the unbeliever 2️⃣ Why Spirit-filled and Bible-rooted aren't enemies but essential allies 3️⃣ How to invite your friends to church with confidence and compassion In this episode, we dive deep into how church can be a space that speaks to both the convinced and the curious....
WHY DID GOD ALLOW TEXAS FLOODS TO HAPPEN? 🌊💔 When disaster strikes, it shakes us. We ask the question that haunts every human soul: Where was God? In this raw and honest message, we wrestle with the problem of pain, not with cheap clichés, but with the deep truths of Scripture. From Job’s agony to the groaning of creation, from the cross of Christ to the promise of a restored world, this episode explores how a good and sovereign God can allow tragedy and still be worthy of our trust. 🙏 If y...
📌 Church hurt is real. The betrayal. The bitterness. The breakdowns in trust. But here’s what’s also real: the healing Jesus offers through His Church, not outside of it. This message doesn’t minimize your pain. Instead, it confronts it with truth and leads you toward hope. From Genesis to Matthew, from David’s laments to Jesus’ promises, we learn that while people fail, Jesus doesn’t and He hasn’t given up on His bride. 👑💍 You may have been wounded in church… but you’ll be restored in Chri...
WHY WOULD GOD WANT US TO LIVE FOR HIS GLORY? For the skeptic, it can feel strange to learn that we are supposed to live for the glory of God and confusing to hear phrases like "God is about God". The Christian might even wonder what separates the God of Christianity from Allah of Islam. Allah demands worship, bowing, and obligatory prayers. What makes the God of the bible different? What we'll expose in this episode is how necessary realizing that we're in a God-centered reality is...
AI, the Antichrist, and the Discipled Church The same tech that can disciple the nations… can deceive them. AI isn’t neutral. It’s not just crunching data, it’s shaping beliefs. It can translate your sermon into Swahili while you sleep… or slowly form your theology while you’re not paying attention. In a world of convenience, prompts are replacing prayer, and machines are molding minds. This message is a wake-up call for pastors, parents, leaders, and everyday believers. What if AI isn’t th...
When Faith Doesn’t Feel Safe What if your biggest spiritual breakthrough doesn’t come when everything is polished and planned, but when it’s messy, risky, and full of unknowns? Four weeks ago, our church stepped into a new auditorium. Nothing went perfectly. Teams were confused, gear glitched, and we scrambled to adjust in real time. And somehow, 62 people were baptized, including 16 who didn’t plan on it. Faith isn’t about control. It’s about stepping into what you can’t see and trusting tha...
Let’s be real—Mormons are out-hustling most Christians in evangelism. But what if you could learn to fish for souls the way Jesus taught His disciples—naturally, logically, and humbly? This bold message challenges passive faith and calls us back to the mission: to actually lead people to Jesus. Not with weird scripts or forced conversations, but with Spirit-empowered authenticity and gospel clarity. Whether you’ve never shared your faith or you’re just out of rhythm, this is your invitation t...
In this episode of Skeptics & Saints, Nolan and Lindsay unpack the massive transition happening at The Garden—a move to a new school, a surge in attendance, and a front-row seat to a move of God in real time. But this isn’t just about logistics. This is about embracing the Jesus adventure, being “logged on” to the Holy Spirit, and stepping into your role as a church planter—whether you realize it or not. 💡 What does it mean to live on mission instead of just consuming church? 🔥 How do we ...
We live in a grind culture that exalts hustle, self-protection, and personal achievement over everything. The world tells us to chase success, build our own platforms, and seek recognition. But Jesus shows us a radically different way: Serving. True maturity isn’t measured by knowledge or status—it’s measured by a heart that’s willing to roll up its sleeves and serve others. There is no true spiritual growth without serving. Jesus Himself, the King of Kings, took the form of a servant, humble...
Deconstruction. It’s become a buzzword, a movement, and for many, a path away from Christianity. But before you walk away from faith, are you sure you know what you’re leaving behind? From Josh Harris, who once led purity culture and later renounced his faith, to Abraham Piper, who turned deconstruction into a viral movement, we’ve seen a pattern: tearing down faith without rebuilding anything in its place. But deconstruction doesn’t have to mean destruction. In this episode, we unpack the ...
Have you ever started reading the Bible with good intentions, only to fizzle out somewhere in Leviticus? Or maybe you’ve never opened it because it feels outdated, confusing, or irrelevant. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent with Bible reading, you’re not alone. In this episode, we break down why reading the Bible often feels so difficult—and more importantly, how to fix it. We’ll unpack why spiritual discipline without delight feels like a chore, but delight without discipline leads...
As the new year begins, many believers ask: Should Christians set goals and make resolutions? Is planning for personal growth biblical, or is it just a worldly mindset? In this episode, we take a deep dive into what Scripture says about goal-setting, stewardship, and real progress in the Christian life. We’ll discuss how goal-setting isn’t about identity but about faithfulness, the difference between self-improvement and overcoming sin, and why action-based goals are more effective than chasi...
Think Mormonism is just about family values and quirky traditions like celestial planets and “holy underpants”? Think again. In this episode, we peel back the layers to uncover the shocking history and doctrines that reveal why Mormonism isn’t just different—it’s dangerous. Did you know Joseph Smith was a convicted conman before founding the LDS Church?Or that he manipulated women into marriage with threats of damnation?What about the fact that Mormon theology rewrites Christianity entirely, ...