Four Preachers and a Podcast

How do we know the difference between a biblical command and a personal opinion?

That’s the question behind this week’s “Can You Help?” episode.

A listener writes:

That’s an honest question — and one many Christians quietly wrestle with.

In this episode, the four preachers discuss:

How can the church be a place where people feel safe enough to confess sin, seek help, and grow?

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, we tackle a tension every faithful church must face: how to uphold holiness while also creating a culture where struggling people can come into the light without fear.

The gospel calls the church to be a community of truth and grace—but too often, people hide their struggles because they fear shame, gossip, or harsh judgment. When that happens, sin thrives in secrecy and people suffer in silence.

Together, we discuss what it really means for a church to be “safe,” what Scripture teaches about confession and restoration, and how leaders and members alike can help foster an environment where honesty leads to healing.

Outrage has become the dominant language of our culture. It fuels conversations, shapes identities, and often replaces careful thought with instant judgment. In a world that rewards anger, cancellation, and constant offense, how should Christians live?

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys wrestle with what it means to follow Jesus faithfully in an age of outrage. This conversation explores how outrage culture affects our hearts, our relationships, and our Christian influence—both online and offline.

Together, the four preachers discuss the difference between righteous anger and habitual outrage, how the gospel reshapes our posture toward people we disagree with, and why Christian faithfulness is often most visible in calmness, patience, and love rather than loud reaction.

Continuing the conversation from S7E1, our hosts dive into six more essential habits that every Christian should consider adopting—or reigniting in their walk with Christ.

👉 Be sure to catch the first set of habits on S7E1: https://fpap.thelightnetwork.tv/s7/1

📖 What We Discuss in This Episode

In this encouraging and practical episode, Brad, Chance, and Robert talk about six additional habits that can strengthen your spiritual life and help you walk more faithfully with Jesus.

🌀  1. The Habit of Serving Others

We explore what it really means to serve—not as a duty, but as a joyful response to Christ’s love. True service flows from a heart shaped by grace and compassion toward others.

💦  2. The Habit of Remembering Your Baptism

Your baptism was not just an event—it’s a defining moment in your spiritual journey. We talk about why returning to that identity and commitment regularly helps keep your faith anchored and your purpose clear.

🌿  3. The Habit of Rest / Refresh

Rest isn’t optional—it’s a gift God gives to renew our bodies, minds, and spirits. The guys discuss spiritual rest as well as practical rhythms that help us find refreshment in a busy world.

💛  4. The Habit of Enduring Difficulty with Kindness and Patience

Trials are part of the Christian life—but our response matters. We reflect on how patience and kindness shape us into Christlike people, even when circumstances are tough.

✨  5. The Habit of Confession and Repentance

Confession isn’t just about admitting wrong—it’s about restoration. We talk about cultivating a posture of honesty before God and others, and how repentance leads to transformation.

🚶  6. The Habit of Intentional Obedience

Faith becomes real in the choices we make every day. The team digs into what it looks like to obey God not occasionally—but intentionally and consistently.

Spiritual growth doesn’t usually come from dramatic moments—it comes from faithful habits practiced over time.

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys kick off Season 7 by discussing six foundational habits that help Christians grow deeper in their walk with Christ. Whether you’re feeling spiritually energized or spiritually stuck, these are habits worth starting—or restarting—today.

📌 In This Episode, We Discuss:

🔜 Coming Next:

This conversation isn’t over! In the next episode, we’ll continue with “Six MORE Habits Every Christian Should Start (or Restart)”—practical, challenging, and encouraging habits that help us live faithfully for Jesus.

What does it really look like to love the local church when tensions arise, opinions differ, or conflict threatens unity?

In this episode, the guys explore James 3:18 and its powerful reminder that righteousness does not grow in chaos or contention, but in peace carefully sown by peacemakers. Loving the church means more than attendance or agreement—it means actively cultivating peace through our words, attitudes, and responses.

This conversation challenges listeners to consider how everyday choices either nurture unity or poison the soil where spiritual growth should flourish.

In this episode, the guys discuss what it really means to love the local church—not through rose-colored glasses, but through the lens of biblical realism. From Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas show us that the church’s beauty lies not in her perfection but in her perseverance.

Together, we explore how being realistic about the church actually deepens our love for her. Paul and his traveling companions strengthened disciples, reminded them that suffering is part of the journey, and appointed elders to help the church grow under God’s direction. That’s realism—and it’s what keeps us rooted in grace and unity today.

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys discuss practical ways of making sure new Christians get connected in local congregations.

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys discuss the tremendous blessings of belonging to a local church!

In this episode, Chance leads the discussion on Romans 12, exploring God's expectations for the members of the local church.

In this season finale of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys come together for a heartfelt and hope-filled conversation about church hurt. What happens when the people of God wound one another? How can we process that pain in a healthy, Christ-centered way?

We dive deep into the gospel’s answer to broken relationships, disappointment, and betrayal within the body of Christ. With Scripture as our guide and personal experience as our context, we seek to offer practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for anyone who’s been hurt by the church—or by Christians.

🎉 This wraps up our Season 5 miniseries! Four Preachers and a Podcast will return with Season 6 in August 2025.

Until then, stay faithful, stay encouraged, and keep looking to Jesus.

When someone is wounded by the church—whether through conflict, disappointment, or betrayal—it can be a long road to healing. As fellow Christians, how can we walk alongside those who are hurting? What should support look like? And how can we avoid unintentionally making things worse?

This is part four of our miniseries on Church Hurt, a candid conversation exploring the real pain that can happen within the church family, and how God’s people can seek healing together.

In this heartfelt episode, the four preachers delve into the sensitive topic of interpersonal hurt within the church community. Building upon the previous discussions in their “Church Hurt” miniseries, they explore how conflicts among church members can arise, the impact of such hurt, and the path toward healing and reconciliation.

In this honest and heartfelt conversation, the four preachers tackle a difficult but necessary topic: the intersection of church leadership and church hurt. While the church is a place of healing and hope, many have experienced hurt—even at the hands of leaders. In this episode, we explore how church leaders (elders, deacons, preachers, and various ministry leaders) may – either intentionally or unintentionally – contribute toward church hurt, then we transition to discuss how church leaders can minister to those in our churches who are hurting.

This is part 2 in our miniseries on church hurt.

In this episode, we begin a brand-new six-part miniseries on a topic that touches more people than we often realize — Church Hurt. For many, painful experiences connected to the church have left deep wounds, strained relationships, and even shaken faith. But what exactly do we mean when we say “church hurt”?

Robert, Chance, and Brad take a thoughtful and compassionate look at:

We invite you to listen with an open heart as we seek understanding and prepare to walk through this sensitive subject biblically and practically in the episodes ahead.

Have you ever faced moments when prayer felt like the last thing you wanted to do? In this episode, the preachers tackle the struggles that many Christians experience when they feel unmotivated to pray. Drawing from Scripture and personal insights, we explore the reasons behind prayer reluctance, the role of faith in those seasons, and how to rekindle a meaningful connection with God.

Episode Resources:
BOOK: Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud by Philip Yancey
https://amzn.to/4gqULVi

In this episode, the Four Preachers tackle a question that has challenged believers for centuries: Do my prayers make any difference? They explore the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human prayer, addressing key questions such as:

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the panel dives into the rich lessons on prayer found in Jesus’ parables. Together, they examine stories like the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-8) and the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), unpacking how these narratives challenge and encourage Christians to approach God with boldness, persistence, and faith.

In this episode, the Four Preachers explore the theme of persistence in prayer, focusing on Jesus’ parables that teach the importance of perseverance in our communication with God. The conversation centers on the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) and the Parable of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-13), diving into the lessons they offer for deepening our faith, strengthening our resolve, and trusting in God’s timing.

The preachers discuss practical applications, share personal experiences, and provide biblical insights to encourage listeners to persist in prayer even when answers seem delayed.

In this episode, the four preachers discuss the importance of intercessory prayer and the specific people Christians should include in their daily prayers. Drawing from biblical teachings and personal experiences, the hosts dive deep into how Christians can be more intentional about praying for others. This conversation centers around the power of God through prayer in strengthening relationships, supporting the church, and impacting lives.

The preachers identify key groups of people that need our prayers and why consistent prayer for these individuals reflects a Christ-like heart. They also offer practical advice on how to make prayer for others a regular part of your spiritual routine.

In this episode, the Four Preachers delve into the crucial topic of praying according to God’s will. Drawing insights from Scripture, they discuss what it means to align our prayers with God’s purposes and plans. This episode encourages Christians to seek a deeper understanding of God’s will as they approach Him in prayer, cultivating a mindset of trust and surrender.

In this episode, the four preachers explore the biblical significance of praying in Jesus’ name. They discuss what it means to approach God through Christ, how praying in Jesus’ name is both a privilege and responsibility, and how it aligns our prayers with God’s will. The conversation touches on key scriptures, offering practical advice for incorporating this powerful practice into daily life.

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the hosts delve into the profound and transformative power of prayer. Exploring the rich tapestry of prayer language found throughout Scripture, the episode provides listeners with insights into how different types of prayers—be it praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition—reflect our relationship with God.

Episode Resources (affiliate links):
📕 Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? - Philip Yancey: https://amzn.to/3X2xcto
📕 Praying the Bible - Donald Whitney: https://amzn.to/3yTshD1
📕 Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God - Timothy Keller: https://amzn.to/3Mmorp5
📕 Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud - Philip Yancey: https://amzn.to/3T4dU5y

In this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, our hosts dive deep into the essence of prayer as a relational experience rather than a mere transactional activity. The discussion challenges the common mindset of approaching prayer as a means to an end, focusing instead on cultivating a deeper, more intimate relationship with God through prayer.

Key Discussion Points:
🙏 1. Understanding the Relational Nature of Prayer:
• The preachers explore what it means to engage in prayer as a conversation with God, emphasizing the importance of building a personal connection rather than simply presenting requests.
• Biblical examples that illustrate the relational aspect of prayer, including Jesus’ teachings on prayer and His own prayer life.

❌ 2. Common Misconceptions About Prayer:
• Addressing the transactional mindset many believers fall into—viewing prayer as a way to get what they want from God.
• The dangers of treating prayer like a spiritual vending machine and how this perspective can hinder spiritual growth.

✅ 3. Practical Steps to Foster a Relational Prayer Life:
• Tips for deepening your prayer life, including setting aside dedicated time and incorporating Scripture.
• Encouraging listeners to approach prayer with an attitude of gratitude, trust, and openness to God’s will.

In this thought-provoking episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, our hosts delve into the profound mystery of the Godhead's involvement in prayer. Join us as we explore what happens in the spiritual realm when we pray and how each person of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—responds when we pray.

Key Takeaways:

🧭 Practical Implications: How understanding the roles of the Godhead in prayer can deepen our prayer life and strengthen our faith.

🙏 The Father: How God the Father hears our prayers and the role of His sovereign will in the answers we receive.

🙏 The Son: The mediating work of Jesus Christ, our High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf before the Father.

🙏 The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit's role in empowering and guiding our prayers, even interceding with "groanings too deep for words."

🎙️ If you’d like to support the show, consider joining our Patreon at Patreon.com/tln. Members receive exclusive benefits and perks, and your support helps us continue bringing you valuable content.

A listener to Four Preachers and a Podcast wrote in to ask about whether it would be wrong for an eldership to use a rotation of men from the congregation to fill the pulpit. The guys respond by reflecting on what the New Testament has to say about located preachers.

Is it sinful to be anxious? While Jesus clearly states "do not be anxious" in Matthew six, and Paul echoes that sentiment in Philippians four, a closer look will reveal that the term may not always refer to a sinful type of worry. How do we know where to draw the line? Chance Hicks, Brad McNutt, and Robert Hatfield discuss Matthew 6:25-34 on this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

What do the biblical writers mean when they call Christians to live "quiet and peaceable lives" or to "be still and know" God? Chance, Brad, and Robert identify this theme throughout Scripture and discuss why it is such an important trait for Christians to cultivate.

The guys discuss the following listener-submitted question:

Positivity is a summary concept of what it means to be a Christian. After all, we have the gospel, which literally means "good news," and it is designed to fill us with faith, hope, and love. But how can we be positive in times like these? Why is it easier to be negative than it is to be positive? The guys encourage us to create a culture of positivity on this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

Do you ever struggle with your salvation? Perhaps you have questions about what you were taught in church or about the Bible in the past, or maybe you were baptized, but question whether what you did was right. Life's circumstances can sometimes cause me to doubt whether God would or could forgive me, even as I struggle to forgive myself. Brad, Chance, and Robert discuss the reasons why we sometimes struggle with whether we are saved, then offer some ways that you can be confident in your salvation!

Brad, Chance, and Robert kick off season three of Four Preachers and a Podcast with their ongoing series of "Challenging Sayings," focusing on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

The guys turn to the mailbag to catch up on some listener questions. They discuss Jerusalem, Israel, and premillennialism, giving as an act of worship, entertainment choices, and prayer.

Programming note: this is the season finale for season 2 of Four Preachers and a Podcast. We'll be back with season 3 in January 2024!

Matthew 6:1-18 is an often misunderstood portion of the Sermon on the Mount. Some people come away from Jesus' teaching there wondering whether it is Scripturally OK to offer a public prayer or for anyone to know that someone has given to a person in need. The guys dive into this text to get to the heart of the Lord's teaching and to explore modern applications of this important passage.

Scripture is clear: every member of the body of Christ is important to the overall health of the body and the work that the body has been tasked to do. How can we overcome the generational barrier in order to work together to glorify God? The guys discuss the challenges of bridge-building, the potential of bridge-building, and some practical ways that you can be a bridge builder in the congregation where you worship.

On this "centering topic" episode, the guys dive into the challenge of prayer. They discuss the privilege of prayer, presuppositions that often accompany prayer, and the work of prayer. The episode concludes with some practical pointers to help your prayer life.

The guys go back to the mail bag this week to address another question submitted by a listener.

On this Can You Help? episode, the guys address this listener-submitted question:

What is the meaning of Jesus’s statement in Matthew 5:48? The guys dive into the context of the Sermon on the Mount and consider various approaches to interpreting and applying this passage as they tackle another “Challenging Sayings” episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

Our culture can very well be characterized by atmosphere of reaction and reactivity. It is hasty and hostile, fast and furious. Is this new? What does the Bible say about this?

What does it mean to create a "culture" of unity? Is that even a thing the New Testament expects of Christians? The guys discuss this and so much more on a very special episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, recorded in front of a live audience at The Light Network's Conference in Henderson, TN!

Our world appears to be constantly suffering from tragedies. Every time we turn on the news it’s something new. When tragedy strikes, how do we balance having a heavenly hope without having a seemingly nonchalant attitude toward the suffering of others? How can we minister to those who are experiencing tragedy near us? What are some do’s and what are some don'ts?

The guys discuss all of this and more on this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

Why is it important for Christians to have a healthy understanding of God? On this episode, the guys explore four passages of Scripture — Exodus 3, 33, John 1, and 2 Corinthians 1 — passages in which God reveals himself to us.

On this episode, the guys answer a question from a listener about worship. What makes an action worship? How do we distinguish between worship and any other activity? Can someone accidentally worship?

Programming note: this is the final episode for season 1 of Four Preachers and a Podcast. After a brief break in the summer, we will return in August, the Lord willing, for season 2! Do you have episode ideas or questions for future "Can You Help?" episodes? Let us know! We would love to hear from you.

Jesus says that his disciples are to be salt and light to the world, but thinking through this reveals several principles in tension. For example, we must connect with the world in order to save it, but we must separate from the world to remain pure. How do we balance these thoughts? After discussing the tensions, the guys dive deeper into the pictures themselves (salt and light), then ask some tough questions by way of application.

How can social media be misused? How can be it used for good? The guys dive into biblical principles that should be considered (along with the principle of Christian liberty) when it comes to social media.

Encouragement isn't just fluff; it's vital to every Christian! On this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys discuss why encouragement can be difficult and how we can create a culture of encouragement among our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The guys seek to offer a compassionate, biblically balanced answer to this week's question.

The guys enter the Challenging Sayings portion of their episodic cycle, turning their attention to the Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-12. What does Jesus mean when he uses the term translated "blessed"? Why is it important that we understand it? Find out on season 1, episode 10 of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

Does the Bible discuss race in the same way we do? Should we be colorblind? What did Jesus and the inspired writers of the New Testament say and teach that sheds light on this issue. The guys discuss the answers to these questions and more as they discuss ethnicity from a biblical perspective.

Whatever we conclude the biblical requirements are for this topic, we have to be sure we are fair to the biblical text rather than Americanizing what the Bible says. With that (and several other caveats) in mind, the guys look to biblical principles to determine what Christians owe government.

Forgiveness is a quality of God's nature (Exodus 34:6-7), and it is to be imitated by His people (Matthew 6:12, 14-15). Forgiving someone who wrongs you is obviously easier said than done, nevertheless we cannot use the difficulty of forgiveness as an excuse to disobey this clear command from the Lord. On this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast, the guys discuss the challenges of forgiveness and offer some practical tips to help us cultivate a heart like Jesus's heart.

On this "creating culture" episode, the guys discuss biblical hospitality. Why is hospitality a key part of the culture of the Lord's people? What is hospitality? How do we demonstrate it? In addition to talking through these questions, they also discuss how to motivate ourselves to be more hospitable and how to help the congregations with whom we worship to thrive in hospitality.

Is it OK for a Christian to enjoy this world? What about passages that warn us not to love the world (1 John 2:15)? Or the ones that exhort us to set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:4)? The guys discuss loving God and enjoying this world on this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

Episode Resources:

The Golden Rule is a challenging saying that combines together everything the subtitle of our show is about. The Golden Rule is a rule about life - it is instruction for day to day living for our every relationship and interaction. The Golden Rule is a rule about culture - it is how we should interact with our culture including those parts with which we disagree; it should be the norm of the culture within the church. The Golden Rule is a rule of Christianity - it comes to us from the lips of Jesus, from the instruction of the Christ whom we follow as Christians.

How is the term "identity" used in our culture and how does that compare and / or contrast to its biblical usage? The guys discuss identity and the modern world's quest for "enoughness" on this episode of Four Preachers and a Podcast.

How should Christians interact with the news? On this episode, the guys discuss cases for and against the news, and conclude with several practical and biblical principles for faithfully interacting with the news.

What is meant by the phrase "devotional life" and why is it important? The guys discuss this and share their challenges as well as practical tips for building a rich devotional life.

The Light Network is excited to introduce a brand new podcast, Four Preachers and a Podcast: Conversations about Life, Culture, and Christianity. Join hosts Robert Hatfield, Chance Hicks, Hiram Kemp, and Brad McNutt each week as they discuss:

Four Preachers and a Podcast will release on Fridays from The Light Network and our podcast partners (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) and will also be available in video format on YouTube. Look for Season 1, Episode 1 on Friday, January 13, 2023!