Southside Baptist Church Podcast

Jesus didn’t invite us to convert to Christianity. He didn’t even call us to be Christians. In Antioch, we were first called Christians because the lives of those that have gone before us so mirrored the life of Jesus that they were known as Little Christs’. Jesus is calling us to apprentice under him into an entirely new way of life. To Be Transformed. To Know Him. To Become Like Him. To Live as He lived. Then, we become the people that we long to be and live the lives that we are destined to live.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels who appeared to His stunned disciples told them that He would “come back in the same way” they had seen Him leave. The church has often discussed the return of Jesus as something to be feared, but what if His return was finally the answer to our prayer for His “kingdom to come” and His “will to be done on earth as it is in heaven”? Join us for the conclusion of Ascended, where we will consider the nature of Jesus’ return, its timing, and the consequences for the church and the world.

When a Roman general defeated a city, he was honored with a victory parade into the Roman capital. His parade showcased his army, adoring citizens, and trophies from the conquered region, including those he had defeated in chains for all of Rome to see. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He also led a victory parade, not as a triumphant general, but as the Lamb who had been slain. Join us for part 3 of Ascended, where we will explore the heavenly perspective on Jesus’ ascension.  

Following the shocking and joyous triumph of the resurrection, Jesus made several appearances to His disciples. Forty days later, He ascended to heaven, leaving His followers standing around, looking into the sky and wondering what it all meant. Why would Jesus leave? Wasn’t the resurrection the perfect opportunity to establish the kingdom of Israel and reign as the rightful and eternal king? Join us for part two of Ascended, where we will answer the question, “Why did Jesus leave?” 

Every year, we celebrate Jesus's resurrection and His triumph over sin, death, and the grave. But the story doesn’t end there. While the disciples expected their resurrected King to reign on an earthly throne, Jesus had a divine mission that exceeded their expectations. Join us for a transformative sermon series on Jesus's ascension to learn how He bridged the gap between heaven and earth.  

Join us in a world shrouded in mystery and ancient secrets for a riveting bonus episode of Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth. As we peel back the layers of time, we uncover the shocking truth: the body was missing, and the tomb was empty. What does this mean for the controversy surrounding Jesus’ death? Who were the key players in this pivotal moment? Delve into the evidence, the theories, and the implications that have captivated minds for centuries. Prepare for an episode that challenges everything you thought you knew about Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth! 

In a gripping conclusion, we uncover the truth behind the question: Who killed Jesus of Nazareth? Was it the Roman governor or the chief priest? Should we blame Judas or some darker, more sinister force? Join us as we piece together the final moments and reveal the shocking truth about the crucifixion of Jesus. 

Dr. James Peoples is the Director of Send Network Florida, a partnership between the North American Mission Board and the Florida Baptist Convention aimed at helping churches to plant churches—everywhere for everyone. Before this role, he served as the Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist in Keystone Heights, FL, for 23 years and held two terms as President of the Florida Baptist State Convention. James is married to Jeannie, and they have two children: Emily, who is recently married to Hunt Reagor, and Dana. 

Join us for Episode 3 of, Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth, as we dive deep into one of history's most infamous betrayals: the case of Judas Iscariot. Who was the man behind the act that changed the course of human history? We will review the scriptures and seek to unravel the motives that drove Judas to betray his closest friend. Explore the complex web of politics, religion, and personal conflict that led to this ultimate act of treachery. Did greed, desperation, or a deeper prophecy compel him? Was he a villain or a tragic figure manipulated by fate? 

Although the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, has been condemned by the church as responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion, there were forces beyond Pilate’s control that contributed to the murder of Jesus of Nazareth. Join us for episode two of Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth, where we will explore the religious cabal that manipulated Pilate and their reasons for wanting Jesus dead.  

Step into a world filled with mystery and intrigue as we unravel the events that led to the crucifixion of one of history's most significant figures. Who truly orchestrated the death of Jesus of Nazareth? Was it the political maneuverings of the Roman Empire, the fervor of religious leaders, or something deeper? Join us each week as we delve into ancient texts, explore historical contexts, and reexamine the facts we believe we know so well. This isn’t just a story of betrayal; it’s a quest for truth. Join us each week to discover the truth about "Who Killed Jesus of Nazareth?"  

Many people talk about someone who changed their lives in a big way. This could be a teacher, parent, coworker, or friend who helped you become more than you thought you could be. How can we be that person for others? Join us for part four of Leading from the Gap, where we will learn how to support and motivate others to fulfill their God-given purpose for the future. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Times of crisis test the character and faith of those called to lead.  However, a crisis is more than a test for those already in positions of authority; it calls those with faith to stand in the gap and rise to the challenge by putting that faith into action. Join us for part three of Leading from the Gap, as we explore how Esther was a leader for such a time as this.  

Have you ever been there? Standing in a gap created by a lack of leadership? The person in charge is unavailable or unwilling to lead, and suddenly, all eyes are on you. The world needs people who understand how to lead even when they’re not in charge. Fortunately, the Bible offers a great example in King David. Long before he became king, he was just a shepherd boy who demonstrated how to lead when you’re not in charge. Join us for part two of Leading from the Gap, where we will discover that leading when you’re not in charge requires humility, faith, and meekness.  

A quick survey of world history confirms that leadership is forged in the crucible of adversity. Apart from the challenges of the Civil War and World War II, we may have never fully known the inspiring leadership of men like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Scripture chronicles the stories of men and women who answered God’s calls to lead through challenges of biblical proportions. Join us as we survey the lives of Moses, David, Esther, and Barnabas to learn how God bridges the gaps between heaven and earth through humble servant leaders. 

Our life in Christ offers the possibility of unimaginably more. More than we can ask. More than we can imagine. More of Him and More of His way. The promise of Jesus is that He has come that we might have life… abounding life… life to the full. So much life that our cup overflows. We are offered this life in Him and shared life together. As we draw closer, Christ guides us in His way.  Let’s venture with Paul and a few Macedonian friends and learn of the wonder of the way of Jesus. 

You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their hands. Did these hands work on a keyboard or turn wrenches? Do they belong to someone young or old? The story of our hands reflects the story of our lives. Join us for the final message in Closer as we explore what the hands of Jesus reveal to us and how we can make our hands more like His.