Episode 25: Jesus Plus Nothing – Embracing the Radical Simplicity of Grace
"Growing In Grace" a Podcast of Gracehills Church
Release Date: 04/09/2025
"Growing In Grace" a Podcast of Gracehills Church
Episode 53: “Presence Over Performance” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt dive into Jesus’ teaching on prayer and fasting from Matthew 6:5–18. It’s not about performance, public attention, or manipulating God for results — it’s about presence, patience, and private communion with the Father. Together they unpack what it means to pray with authenticity, fast with purpose, and trust God’s heart even when He doesn’t answer the way we expect. Whether you’ve struggled to stay consistent in prayer or you’ve never fasted before, this conversation will...
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Episode 52: “Giving Without the Spotlight” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon unpack Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:1–4 on giving, motives, and the secret place. Jesus warns us not to practice righteousness for applause, but to pursue a heart that seeks God's approval above all else. This conversation explores the temptation to perform faith publicly, the difference between hypocrisy and simple imperfection, and how to cultivate generosity that flows from a transformed heart rather than a desire to be seen. If you’ve ever wrestled with comparison, validation,...
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Episode 51: “Grace in the Face of Hate” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Elder Mike Davis joins Matt to close out Matthew chapter 5 and unpack one of Jesus’ hardest teachings — loving your enemies. From “turning the other cheek” to “going the extra mile,” this message challenges the world’s idea of fairness and points us toward a radical, Spirit-empowered love. They talk about real forgiveness, what it means to go beyond retaliation, and how to overcome apathy in your pursuit of God. This episode will push you to evaluate your heart, live counter-culturally, and reflect...
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Episode 50: “Faithfulness Over Feelings” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt talk about what Jesus teaches on marriage, divorce, and keeping your word in Matthew 5:31–37. Jesus shows that marriage is more than a feeling — it’s a lifelong covenant meant to reflect His faithfulness to the Church. Together they discuss God’s original design for marriage, how to walk through brokenness with grace, and why our words and commitments matter deeply in God’s kingdom. Whether you’re single, married, divorced, or remarried, this conversation will challenge and...
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Episode 49: “The Upside-Down Path to Purity” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt dive into one of Jesus’ most direct and uncomfortable teachings — lust and adultery (Matthew 5:27–30). Jesus doesn’t just deal with external actions; He goes straight to the heart. Together, they unpack how lust promises pleasure but leaves only wreckage, how to confront the lies it tells, and how to walk in purity and freedom through the power of Christ. If you’ve ever struggled with temptation, shame, or broken trust, this episode will remind you that God’s mercy is...
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Episode 48: "Before You Worship, Go Make It Right" In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt unpack one of Jesus’ most challenging teachings from the Sermon on the Mount — dealing with anger and pursuing reconciliation. Jesus shows us that sin doesn’t start with our hands, it starts in our hearts. Together, they explore what it means to let go of bitterness, why reconciliation matters more than religious performance, and how the upside-down kingdom of God calls us to humility, grace, and forgiveness. If you’ve ever struggled with anger, resentment, or broken...
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Episode 47: "Good Enough? Jesus and the Law" In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt unpack Matthew 5:17–20, where Jesus makes the radical claim that He didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Together they talk about why we’ll never be “good enough” on our own, how Jesus perfectly kept the Law we could never fulfill, and why real obedience flows from grace, not guilt. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like “Am I enough?” or “How do I live out my faith without becoming legalistic?”, this episode will encourage you to rest in Christ’s...
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Episode 46: “Shining Bright in a Tasteless World” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt unpack Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:13–16 where He calls His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Together they explore what it means to preserve truth in a decaying culture, to live in a way that makes others thirsty for Christ, and to shine with both grace and truth in the places God has strategically placed us. This conversation challenges us to ask: are our lives adding flavor and light, or have we lost our distinctiveness? Whether in your workplace,...
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Episode 45: “Mercy, Masks, and Living the Beatitudes” In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt continue the Upside Down Kingdom series, exploring the last four Beatitudes in Matthew 5. From showing mercy and living with a pure heart, to making peace and standing firm under pressure, this conversation will challenge you to live out the values of Jesus — even when it costs you something.
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Episode 44: Living the Upside Down Kingdom In this episode of Growing in Grace, Pastor Brandon and Matt kick off a brand-new series in Matthew 5–7, the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus flips the world’s definition of blessing upside down — calling His followers to be poor in spirit, to mourn over sin, to walk humbly, and to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Together, Brandon and Matt unpack how these countercultural attitudes apply to everyday life in a world that constantly chases status, comfort, and self. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to live differently as part of...
info_outlineEpisode 25: Jesus Plus Nothing – Embracing the Radical Simplicity of Grace
In this episode of Growing in Grace, Matt and Pastor Brandon dive into Acts 15 and unpack one of the most pivotal moments in church history—the decision to stand firm on the truth that we are saved by grace alone through faith in Christ. They explore the subtle and not-so-subtle ways believers still fall into the trap of adding to the gospel, creating unnecessary barriers that Jesus never intended.
Together, they discuss:
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The tension between grace and legalism in church culture
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How modern believers can unintentionally become “well-meaning Pharisees”
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What grace really looks like in everyday life and leadership
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How to cultivate a church culture that’s both doctrinally sound and radically gracious
Whether you’re a church leader, new believer, or just wrestling with what it means to live by grace, this episode will remind you that Jesus doesn’t need our edits—He is enough.
Tune in and be encouraged to rest in the finished work of Christ and lead with grace in every area of life.