Gary Wilkerson Podcast

Failure so often comes to us by the mercy of God as his open invitation for us to enter into his healing process. In this episode, Nate Larkin rejoins Gary Wilkerson to discuss how God uses our vulnerability to not only heal us from our addictive sins but also help others heal and grow spiritually as well. When we become quick to recognize our failings within loving relationships, we will awaken to new spiritual life.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp282c

Healing is what every believer is seeking for the addictions that seem to constantly pull them back into embarrassing old habits. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson is joined by Nate Larkin to discuss how his own journey into emotional and sexual healing has happened through close community and inspired the creation of the Samson Society.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp281c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 12 | Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price. These parables emphasize the surpassing value of Jesus Christ and the necessity of prioritizing him above all else in life. Gary and Joshua draw parallels with biblical figures like the rich young ruler, Zacchaeus, and the Apostle Paul, highlighting the transformative power of encountering Christ and the importance of surrendering everything to follow Him. The discussion also touches on the urgency of the gospel message, the balance between God's kindness and severity, and the call to be salt and light in the world, sharing the treasure of Christ with others.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp280c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 11 | In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector. They emphasize the need for humility and repentance before God, rather than self-righteousness. The tax collector, who humbled himself, went home justified before God. However, they caution against remaining in a state of defeat as a Christian. Rather, we should walk in the joy, peace and victory that comes from finding our identity in Christ's righteousness alone. This requires both a renewing of our mind with God's truth and allowing God's love to transform our hearts.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp279c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 10 | Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West dive into the Parable of the Good Samaritan, exploring its profound implications for Christian living. They highlight how the parable challenges religious self-righteousness and reveals the true nature of loving one's neighbor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of internal transformation by God's love, which enables believers to extend genuine compassion to others, rather than merely adhering to external religious practices. Gary and Joshua stress that true neighborly love flows from a heart filled with gratitude for God's mercy and love.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp278c

Navigating the Path to the Unreached - Part 6 | Gary Wilkerson and Mark Renfroe dive into World Challenge's approach to missions, which intertwines compassion ministry and collaboration with indigenous believers. They discuss the effectiveness of this strategy in raising the credibility of the gospel and empowering local Christians to reach their communities. Mark shares a compelling story from South Asia, where providing cows to poor families and partnering with a local pastor led to many Muslims committing their lives to Christ. This episode highlights the transformative power of combining practical compassion with strategic collaboration in missions to the unreached.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp277c

Navigating the Path to the Unreached - Part 5 | Gary Wilkerson and Mark Renfroe address the common question, "I'm just one person, what can I do when it comes to missions?” They outline practical steps for Christians to cultivate a heart for the nations and get involved in reaching the unreached. These steps include praying intentionally for the nations, growing in knowledge about global missions, engaging with people from different cultures in our own communities, going on short-term missions trips, and partnering with indigenous missions organizations. Gary and Mark also discuss the importance of a kingdom-centered approach to missions, rooted in Christ's lordship and the goal of God's glory among the nations. They challenge listeners to overcome the mentality of individual insignificance and to take steps, both big and small, toward participating in God's global mission.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp276c

Navigating the Path to the Unreached - Part 4 | In this thought-provoking episode, Gary Wilkerson and Mark Renfroe dive deeper into the stark reality of the unreached world. They examine the uneven distribution of missions resources, with only 3% allocated to reach the 3 billion individuals in unreached people groups. Mark shares a powerful parable contrasting the spiritual risk of lostness with and without gospel access. The discussion also highlights the surprising growth of Iran's underground church, from spiritual apathy to openness, despite intense persecution. Gary and Mark challenge listeners to evaluate their missions priorities and consider how they can play a part in reaching the unreached.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp275c

Navigating the Path to the Unreached - Part 3 | In this eye-opening episode, Gary Wilkerson and Mark Renfroe discuss the sobering reality that over 7,000 people groups, comprising more than 3 billion individuals, remain unreached with the gospel message. They highlight the various challenges and obstacles that make these groups difficult to reach, such as geographic, linguistic, cultural, and religious barriers, as well as the scarcity of missionaries and resources dedicated to this cause. Gary and Mark emphasize the need for Christians to have a global faith, marked by a willingness to sacrifice, take risks, and die to self, in order to see the gospel proclaimed and embraced among these unreached peoples.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp274c

Navigating the Path to the Unreached - Part 2 | Delve deep into the complexities of faith, doubt, and the responsibility of Christians to reach out to those who are spiritually lost. Gary Wilkerson and Mark Renfroe emphasize the importance of understanding and compassion in evangelism, challenging listeners to consider their own beliefs and biases. They explore the notion that many people who seem lost are actually on a journey towards faith, and that Christians have a crucial role in guiding them through love, patience, and understanding. This episode encourages a reevaluation of how Christians perceive and interact with non-believers, advocating for an approach that combines truth with graceView the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp273c

Navigating the Path to the Unreached - Part 1 | Gary Wilkerson and Mark Renfroe delve into the profound challenges and urgent necessity of global missions, focusing on the regions most remote from the gospel's reach. They discuss the staggering reality of unreached people groups, emphasizing the difference between being simply lost and being utterly without access to the message of Christ. Through personal anecdotes, statistical insights, and a passionate appeal for increased missionary efforts, this episode shines a light on the critical work of spreading the gospel to every corner of the earth, inspiring listeners to consider their role in God's global mission.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp272c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 9 | In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West dive deep into the "Parable of the Marriage Feast" from Matthew 22:1-14, unpacking its themes of invitation, rejection, and divine generosity. They discuss the significance of being called to God's Kingdom and the importance of extending this invitation to others, highlighting the balance between God's love and judgment. Through personal reflections and theological insights, they offer a compelling view on evangelism, obedience, and the transformative power of God's love in Christian life.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp271c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 8 | In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West delve into the profound lessons of this timeless teaching, exploring themes of comparison, gratitude, and divine generosity. Listeners are invited to reflect on their spiritual journey, emphasizing the importance of gratitude and the dangers of comparison. Through insightful discussion, Gary and Joshua seek to illuminate the path to a deeper understanding of God's grace and how it shapes our daily lives. Join us as we uncover the hidden treasures within Jesus’s parable and apply its wisdom to our contemporary struggles and joys.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp270c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 7 | In this episode of the Gary Wilkerson Podcast, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West dive into the heart of forgiveness with an insightful discussion on the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant from Matthew 18. They tackle the complexity of forgiving others and oneself, emphasizing forgiveness as not only a vital aspect of spiritual growth but also a reflection of understanding God's limitless mercy towards us. Through a blend of biblical exploration and practical advice, the conversation illuminates the challenging yet transformative power of forgiveness in healing wounds, mending relationships, and fostering a loving community. This episode serves as a compelling guide for anyone seeking to navigate the intricacies of forgiveness in their faith and life, reminding listeners of the profound impact forgiveness has on both the giver and the receiver.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp269c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 6 | In this episode of the Gary Wilkerson Podcast, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West explore the Parable of the Tenants from Matthew 21, unpacking its messages about lordship, judgment, and the Kingdom of God. They discuss the metaphor of Jesus as the cornerstone, emphasizing its relevance to personal faith and the call to produce spiritual fruit. This discussion invites listeners to reflect deeply on their spiritual journey and the transformative power of accepting Christ's lordship.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp268c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 5 | The Bible discusses wealth far more often than many people realize, especially when it comes to the unique struggles that people can be vulnerable to with riches. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss the scriptures’ complex understanding of not being attached to money without espousing the ascetic’s life either. This parable explores greed and generosity as well as maturity with our material possessions as one particular evidence of our spiritual state with God.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp267c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 4Several times, the gospels portray people arriving at the gates of heaven and crying out for God only to be told that he doesn’t know them. No fate could be more shocking and grim for someone who calls themselves a Christian. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West discuss these sobering passages of the Bible and how they should inform believers’ lives. If we earnestly desire to be in God’s presence, we will be prepared like the wise virgins of this parable for Christ’s return.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp266c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 3 The parable of the talents is another very popular teaching story from Jesus, but it’s meaning often becomes skewed as church leaders try to encourage believers to volunteer or as Christians try to evaluate the success of their spiritual lives. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West explore the misinterpretations of this parable. Together, they delve into Christ’s intended meaning for this story that is so intricately linked to other parts of the gospel. View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp265c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 2 | The parables that Jesus told people in the gospels can sometimes sound strange or feel difficult to understand. Those parables, however, hold eternal truths and great instruction for believers in all times and cultures. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West walk through one of the best entry points for understanding Christ’s parables: Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower. This story is one of the greatest places to examine our own hearts and ability to receive God’s instructions and promises.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp264c

The Life-Altering Parables of Jesus - Part 1 | The parables that Jesus told people in the gospels can sometimes sound strange or feel difficult to understand. Those parables, however, hold eternal truths and great instruction for believers in all times and cultures. In this episode, Gary Wilkerson and Joshua West walk through one of the best entry points for understanding Christ’s parables: Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower. This story is one of the greatest places to examine our own hearts and ability to receive God’s instructions and promises.View the show notes: https://wcm.link/gwp263c