Best Zach Sparkman Podcasts (2025)

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What about Us? The Role of the Congregation 43:33

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3d ago43:33

43:33

If we fail to see or refuse to accept the role the Bible gives to the congregation, there will be no way to have a healthy, unified church. Preaching Big Idea: As the body of Christ, the role of the congregation is to hold forth the glorious gospel of Jesus in both word and practice.By Zach Sparkman

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Pastoral FAQs 30:06

12d ago30:06

30:06

Biblical clarity about pastors increases trust and teamwork within a local church by removing confusion, setting proper expectations, and increasing unity as we serve the Lord together.By Zach Sparkman

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Pastoral Qualifications 44:20

18d ago44:20

44:20

In our culture, the common and "acceptable" type of pastor bears little to no resemblance to the biblical model. God requires pastors to be men of integrity so that their lives and ministries will point attention only to Jesus Christ, not themselves.By Zach Sparkman

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Pastoral Expectations 36:23

24d ago36:23

36:23

The apostles created a group of "helpers", in part, to protect their ministry of prayer and the Word, which laid the foundation for the NT's teaching on the role of local church pastors. A biblically faithful pastor must lead the church to follow Jesus and obey His mission by laboring in the ministry of prayer and the Word.…

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Following Christ, Our Captain 38:45

1M ago38:45

38:45

By Addison Hagberg

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Following Christ, Our Head 36:08

1M ago36:08

36:08

When we choose to live in our own strength and by our own rules, we are not following our Head. When a church is disconnected from the Head, it will wither and die. As our Head, Jesus wants a vibrant and healthy body. He wants us to be a healthy church, and he is working constantly to make that happen.…

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Selecting Deacons 36:00

2M ago36:00

36:00

The qualifications of a deacon calls for him to be a man with proven integrity who leads his family well. Our church should follow the early church's process of selecting scripturally qualified men to be deacons.By Zach Sparkman

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Making Your Life Count for God's Glory with Matt Collier | Final LLFT Series Episode 28:35

2M ago28:35

28:35

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo chats with author Matt Collier about his mini-book, 'Help! I Want My Life to Count.' Matt encourages teens to live for eternity, and use their skills and vocation to serve the Lord. He highlights the importance of community in making big life decisions, and the value of being faithfu…

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A Deacon's Job Description 41:19

2M ago41:19

41:19

There are many churches who approach the office of deacon like this—with no guidance, training or job description. The apostles worked with the congregation to appoint seven "helpers" to meet the member care need that threatened to both upset the unity of the church and distract the apostles from their ministry.…

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The Blessing of Authority with Chris Anastos | LLFT Series 26:24

2M ago26:24

26:24

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo discusses the topic of teens and authority with guest Chris Anastos, author of 'Help! How Do I Respond To Authority?'. The discussion emphasizes the significant impact a good response to authority can have on others, including pointing them to Christ. Chris shares insights on the inh…

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Courage in Plain Clothes 49:52

2M ago49:52

49:52

Naturally we have one of two wrong responses to escalating pressure. Either we shy away from conflict and shut down when opposition intensifies, which mutes our witness. Or we explode on the opposition and become argumentative, harsh and unkind, which throws away our testimony. When opposition intensifies, God's Spirit grants us courage to overcome…

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Biblical Help for Stress and Anxiety | Tim Endean | LLFT Series 25:38

2M ago25:38

25:38

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes Tim Endean to discuss Tim's mini-book, 'Help, I'm Stressed Out'. The conversation delves into the various stressors teens face globally, the distinction between stress and anxiety, and the biblical approach to dealing with these issues. Tim shares insights from his extensive…

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Navigating Dark Times in a Christlike Way | Justin Daugherty | LLFT Series 25:14

2M ago25:14

25:14

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes guest Justin Daugherty to discuss his mini book, 'Help! I’m in Darkness'. Justin, a certified counselor, offers insights into the struggles faced by teenagers today, particularly focusing on depression. He explores the pressures of social media, school, and home life that co…

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Godly vs. Worldly Wisdom 46:36

2M ago46:36

46:36

James gives us a description of what godly wisdom looks like and how we can avoid worldly wisdom.By Jerry Ascher

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Pursuing Purity with Gospel Hope | Zach Sparkman | LLFT Series 28:08

3M ago28:08

28:08

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, author Zach Sparkman discusses the prevalent struggle with pornography, particularly among teens. Drawing from his Lifeline for Teens mini-book, 'Help! I Want to Stay Pure', Sparkman provides both statistical insights and practical advice on combating sexual immorality through a biblical lens. The disc…

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The Church's First Trojan Horse 45:55

3M ago45:55

45:55

Even today, Satan can subvert the church and try to destroy Christ's body from the inside (using spiritual trojan horses). We must not be ignorant of Satan's tactics and schemes.By Zach Sparkman

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Servant Leadership: How Teens and Adults Can Influence Others for Christ | Leighton Upton | LLFT Series 29:25

3M ago29:25

29:25

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Leighton Upton about his mini-book, 'Help! I Want to Be a Leader'. They delve into the essence of true leadership as modeled by Jesus Christ, emphasizing that leadership is about influencing people by serving them. Leighton answers questions such as, "What makes a good lea…

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Following Jesus with Your Finances 40:16

3M ago40:16

40:16

Following Jesus with our finances is first and foremost a matter of faith, believing that heavenly treasure is greater than earthly wealth and that God can provide for our needs better than the money in the bank.By Zach Sparkman

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Comfort and Wisdom for the Doubting Heart w/ Kelly Collier | Part 2 | LLFT Series 28:48

3M ago28:48

28:48

In this second part of our conversation on assurance of salvation, guest Kelly Collier, author of Help! I’m Doubting, shares the importance of examining one's life for true spiritual fruit. Kelly highlights the common struggle of having a man-centered perspective on salvation and emphasizes the necessity of embracing Jesus Christ as the center of t…

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The Basics of Grace Giving 39:29

3M ago39:29

39:29

The NT's teaching about "grace giving" calls believers to imitate Jesus' generosity by freely and joyfully using God's resources to contribute to His kingdom work. Many Christians don't practice biblical stewardship because they haven't been taught what the Bible says about giving.By Zach Sparkman

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Assurance of Salvation: Help for Teens, Parents, and Counselors | Kelly Collier, Part 1 | LLFT Series 22:23

3M ago22:23

22:23

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo and guest Kelly Collier, an ACBC certified counselor and author, discuss the topic of doubting one's salvation, based on her mini-book "Help! I'm Doubting". Kelly shares her personal experiences and provides biblical insights into how teens and adults alike can navigate these doubts …

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Lovingly Covering and Lovingly Confronting | Biblical Forgiveness with Jim Newcomer, Part 2 22:05

4M ago22:05

22:05

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo continues his conversation with Jim Newcomer about his mini-book on forgiveness. They delve deep into the theology and practical applications of forgiveness, discussing differences between 'lovingly covering' an offense and 'lovingly confronting' it. Jim Newcomer explains the scriptu…

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Help for Those Struggling to Forgive | Jim Newcomer | Part 1 24:35

4M ago24:35

24:35

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, guest Jim Newcomer talks about his mini-book 'Help! I Can't Forgive'. The discussion centers on the universal struggle with forgiveness, emphasizing its importance in spiritual growth. Jim shares his journey in pastoral ministry and his experiences with teaching forgiveness based on Matthew 18. The con…

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Fuel for Gospel Speech 46:58

4M ago46:58

46:58

Do you talk about Jesus as often or as regularly as you want? Peter, John and the healed lame man boldly declared the power of Jesus' name and turned the tables on the religious leaders, putting them on trial at a higher court before a greater Authority. The fuel that propels us to faithfully talk about Jesus is to regularly be with Jesus, communin…

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Seeking the Lord When Words Fall Short with Grace Utomo | Hello, God 22:18

4M ago22:18

22:18

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, guest Grace Utomo shares her journey of relearning to pray after a traumatic brain injury, based on her upcoming book, "Hello, God." She discusses how the experience drove her to explore the basics of prayer, focusing on building an authentic and personal dialogue with God. She also shares practical ad…

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The Danger of Dismissing Jesus (part 2) 47:49

4M ago47:49

47:49

With much exposure to Scripture and a familiarity with the Bible comes the temptation to dismiss Jesus. Understanding the truth about Jesus leads to only one logical conclusion: follow Him.By Zach Sparkman

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Can I Choose My Own Gender? With Gracie Nelson | LLFT Series 26:40

4M ago26:40

26:40

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Gracie Nelson, a middle school Bible teacher and biblical counselor, about her mini-book, 'Help! Can I Choose My Own Gender?' The conversation delves into the importance of biblical authority and how teens can find reassurance in God's preordained design for gender. Gracie…

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Jesus, God's Agent of Salvation (part 1) 39:17

4M ago39:17

39:17

Christians can hear the name of Jesus so often that they take Jesus for granted and thus grow comfortable, even apathetic, to Him. But Acts 3 is clear that Jesus is God's Agent who does God's will and brings salvation to the world.By Zach Sparkman

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Heart-Oriented Parenting with Ginger Hubbard 34:03

4M ago34:03

34:03

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Ginger Hubbard joins us to discuss her book 'Don't Make Me Count to Three.' They delve into heart-oriented discipline, the high calling of motherhood, and how to parent from a gospel-centered perspective. Ginger shares practical insights on addressing outward behavior from a biblical viewpoint, emphasi…

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The Un-Prosperity Gospel 43:55

5M ago43:55

43:55

The prosperity gospel, by crook or by hook, has seeped into gospel-preaching churches and into the hearts of Bible-believing Christians. The gospel's true objective is not to make us materially and physically prosperous, but to proclaim the message of eternal life and forgiveness of sins in Jesus' name.…

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Managing your Finances Wisely | John Temple, Part 2 25:43

5M ago25:43

25:43

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo is joined by Dr. John Temple to discuss his book, 'Help! I'm Drowning in Debt.' The conversation dives into common reasons Christians find themselves in debt such as wrong priorities, idolatry, and lack of self-control. Dr. Temple emphasizes the importance of finding contentment in G…

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Following the Shepherd 33:02

5M ago33:02

33:02

Jesus is the Great Shepherd who leads the sheep. To follow him, we must know how he leads. The Shepherd leads us as our provider, protector, and Lord.By Addison Hagberg

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A Biblical View of Finances & Practical Tips for Managing Debt | John Temple (Part 1) 24:55

5M ago24:55

24:55

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes John Temple to discuss his book 'Help. I'm Drowning in Debt.' John Temple shares his background, having grown up in South Africa and built a successful business career, and his commitment to applying biblical principles to everyday life, including finances. Temple provides p…

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The Most Important Event in History 41:52

5M ago41:52

41:52

Many people in our culture think of Easter more as a day for chocolate and cute bunnies. Resurrection Sunday is so much more than that. When Jesus rose from the dead, He opened the door to eternal life for everyone who trusts in His name. This is what makes the resurrection so important.By Zach Sparkman

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Helping Your Children Navigate Depression | Christine Chappell, Part 2 25:27

5M ago25:27

25:27

In this second part of our conversation about her mini-book 'Help! My Teen is Depressed,' Christine Chappell highlights the importance of open communication and establishing a healthy, Christ-centered parent-child relationship. She discusses the need for parents to listen intently to their children's struggles and compassionately address them with …

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A Culture of Grace 45:16

5M ago45:16

45:16

What is a culture of grace? A united gathering of redeemed sinners who live life through a gospel lens, remembering God's mercy to them, celebrating God's grace in the gospel, humbly relating to others, and treating others as Christ treats them. Sadly, when it comes to church cultures, many Christians have sad stories about sinful church cultures f…

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Navigating Teen Depression as a Parent | Christine Chappell, Part 1 23:12

5M ago23:12

23:12

In this episode, guest Christine Chappell, certified biblical counselor and author, talks about her mini-book, 'Help: My Teen is Depressed.' Christine shares her testimony of navigating through a child's depression, providing counsel on how to navigate the feelings of helplessness parents often face. They discuss the importance of empathy, communit…

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Local Church Priorities 51:47

6M ago51:47

51:47

The early church quickly began to live out their faith in Christ, united in doctrine and practice. The early church's example shows us principles and applications that we can wisely apply to our context as we seek to know Christ and make him known.By Zach Sparkman

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Trusting God Through Cancer | Deborah Howard, Part 2 31:59

6M ago31:59

31:59

In this episode host Anthony Russo welcomes author Deborah Howard for a second part of their discussion on her mini-book, 'Help! Someone I Love Has Cancer.' The conversation explores key themes from the book such as trusting God in suffering, the sovereignty of God over life and death, and finding comfort in the Gospel to face challenging times. De…

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A Case for Church Membership 45:21

6M ago45:21

45:21

Many churches and many Christians view church membership in the same way: quaint, a relic from a bygone era. Peter called the crowd to respond to the shocking news that they crucified the Messiah by repenting, believing in Jesus, being baptized in His name, and forming the first local church. Every believer in Jesus must be baptized and should beco…

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Supporting Loved Ones with Cancer & Gospel Hope in Suffering | Deborah Howard, Pt. 1 24:53

6M ago24:53

24:53

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo converses with Deborah Howard, a retired RN and CHPN, and author of 'Help: Someone I Love Has Cancer.' They explore cancer's nature, causes, and the journey of caregiving. Deborah shares her experience in hospice care and emphasizes the importance of educating oneself about cancer an…

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The Sermon that Started the Church (Acts 2, Part 2) 40:28

6M ago40:28

40:28

That the Spirit has arrived, the last days begun through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who has poured out the Spirit, which proves that Jesus of Nazareth is both Lord and the Messiah.By Zach Sparkman

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Embracing God's Goodness in Trauma with Grace Utomo 30:59

6M ago30:59

30:59

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo interviews Grace Utomo, author of 'Walking with Grace: Embracing God's Goodness in Trauma.' Grace shares her journey of recovery after a severe accident and discusses how she has experienced God's goodness despite deep suffering. The conversation highlights the importance of trusting…

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The Spirit Arrives (Acts 2, part 1) 49:57

6M ago49:57

49:57

Without a biblically accurate understanding on the Spirit's ministry, we'll have wrong expectations about how the Spirit works today. Wrong expectations result in both an incorrect view and practice of ministry.By Zach Sparkman

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The Role of Discipleship in Overcoming Addiction 18:39

6M ago18:39

18:39

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, Anthony Russo continues his conversation with Dr. Jim Berg, about his book 'Overcoming Your Addictions God's Way.' Dr. Berg highlights the importance of discipleship mentors in helping those struggling with addiction, and the role of the local church in the sanctification process. The episode also delv…

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When God Says, "Wait" 43:08

6M ago43:08

43:08

What should we do when God says, "wait"? Waiting is not passively sitting back and doing nothing. The disciples waited for the promised Holy Spirit by preparing for theSpirit's arrival. In a season of waiting, God calls us to exercise faith by actively preparing for Him to work.By Zach Sparkman

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Overcoming Your Addiction God's Way with Jim Berg, Part 1 20:00

7M ago20:00

20:00

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo welcomes Jim Berg, author of the book 'Overcoming Your Addiction God's Way: A Struggler's Guide to Freedom That Lasts.' They emphasize the nature of addiction as a heart issue, and how a relationship with God is the only path to true freedom. Jim explains the difference between physi…

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How the Knowledge of God Helps Us Suffer Well with Joel James, Part 2 23:53

7M ago23:53

23:53

In this episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, host Anthony Russo discusses the subject of trials and suffering with Joel James. They explore how Christians can be better prepared to handle hardships by developing a strong theological understanding of God's attributes—His sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness and how they shape our daily lives. Through…

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The Ascension of Christ 38:41

7M ago38:41

38:41

Many Christians treat the ascension as an afterthought, or just as a simple fact, which hinders us from seeing and experiencing its impact on our Christian walk. Jesus' ascension infuses us with strength and confidence as we embrace our role as Jesus' witnesses.By Zach Sparkman

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Enduring Trials Faithfully- with Joel James, Part 1 21:13

7M ago21:13

21:13

This episode of the Shepherd Press Podcast, hosted by Anthony Russo, features a conversation with Joel James, pastor and author. Russo and James expand on how to deal with life's trials from a biblical standpoint, centered on lessons from the book of Job. They explore the importance of understanding God's control over our difficulties, building a t…