Southside Baptist Church Podcast

While it is probably an exaggeration to say that America has never been more divided than it is today, we are as politically and ideologically as polarized as we’ve been in generations. What responsibility does that church have to advocate for peace and unity in a fractured society? What role should the church play in the current political debates? Join us for The US of America as we explore how the Gospel compels believers to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation amid a troubled world. 

We all agree with Dorothy when she says, “There is no place like home.” But finding our true home can be difficult. Every earthly dwelling we’ve ever called home is ultimately only temporary. Still, our hearts long for a place called home- a place we’ve never been but were always meant to be. Join us for part 5 of The Summer Psalms Mix Tape, Vol. III, where we will learn that our true home is not a place but a person.   

Serious hikers appreciate the challenge of the journey. They understand that arriving at the destination is made all the sweeter because of the difficulties of the hike. The finish line of a marathon is only special to those who run the race. Join us for part 4 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Vol. III, where we will see how the beauty of our Savior eclipses the trials of this life. 

There is a thin line between the beautiful and the ugly. In the shadows of the world’s most beautiful places lies the ugliness of poverty and disease. We long for what is beautiful but are constantly confronted with the ugliness of war, famine, betrayal, and brokenness. How do we reconcile the world's ugliness with a divine longing for beauty? Join us for Part 3 of Summer Psalms Mixtape Volume III, where we will learn how God trades His beauty for the ashes of our sins.  To learn more or to register for any of these events go to app.AspireJax.org or contact Cindy Graves in the church office at info@aspirejax.org or (904) 396-6633.

The Psalms are the hymns of ancient Israel. Jesus and His disciples would have sung them in worship and as they traveled the dusty roads of ancient Palestine. Their words were even on Jesus' lips as He hung on the cross. The lyrics that brought so much hope and joy to Jesus continue to inspire His followers today. Join us each Sunday in August as we listen to a mixtape of Psalms describing God's beauty and majesty.  

Aspire Church is delighted to welcome the Underwoods home! The Underwoods serve the IMB in Europe, where they share the hope of the Gospel with people from all over the world. Today, we are pleased to hear from Chris as he shares the Missionary Psalm (Psalm 67) to kick off our annual Summer Psalms Mixtape series.  

Uncertainty is one of the only certainties in life. Whether it is health and money or the economy and politics, you can be sure that something unexpected is always just around the corner. So, how should God’s people respond to uncertainty? How can we have faith in the face of the unknown? Join us for the final message in The Pursuit of God, where we will see how Abraham’s faith gave Him confidence in God in the face of uncertain times. 

Most people have had the unfortunate experience of feeling “used.” Someone wanted something from you but had little or no regard for you after they got what they wanted. You were merely a means to an end. It’s a terrible feeling, yet that is how many of us treat God. We seek Him in our need, but after receiving the gift, we forget the Giver. Join us for part 6 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn that we will never be satisfied with the promises of God until we are satisfied with the God of the promise. 

There is an art to listening, and people who do it well offer a precious gift to those blessed to engage in a conversation with them. Most people talk to be heard, but some seek to listen and understand first. Prayer, in its most basic form, is a conversation with God. But perhaps you’ve wondered if your prayers are one-sided conversations. Join us for part 5 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn about the God who hears and responds to our cries for help.  

Have you ever reached your limit? Maybe it was an issue of physical stamina or mental ability. Perhaps it was a financial limit or a matter of not having enough time. Every human has their limit, and we are frequently tempted to project those limitations on God. Join us for part 4 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn that God’s power is perfected in human weakness.

In a busy world with so many voices clamoring for attention, it would be easy to feel lost in the crowd. Does anyone see me? Does anyone hear me? Does anyone care? And if there is a God, does He see me or care about my life? Join us for part 3 of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn how God sees us even when we can’t see Him.

Studies have shown that more than half of those who use GPS ignore the directions they get from it. It is probably no surprise that men ignore the directions far more than women! Ignoring directions may not be a big deal when navigating to a new restaurant or assembling furniture from Ikea. But it can have serious consequences when the directions come from God. Join us for part two of The Pursuit of God, where we will learn that you cannot ignore God’s direction and walk in His ways.

There is a Chinese proverb that says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” The same can be said about our pursuit of God. A single act of faith is the key to finding God, His purpose, and His ways. Join us for a series from Genesis 11-25 about Abraham and Isaac and how their pursuit of God reminds us that those who seek God will find Him when they seek Him with all their hearts.

Unlike any other organization or institution, the church does not exist primarily for the benefit of its members. The Church is not about us; it’s about Him. And because God has called us to make Him known to the ends of the earth, the church must also be about “them” – those who have yet to be reached with the message of the Gospel. Join us for the final message in This is Us, where we will learn that the church exists primarily for the benefit of its non-members.

Celebrity culture is a billion-dollar industry. Social media influencers and celebrities rely on public exposure (good and bad) to maintain their power. Jesus was a celebrity in first-century Palestine. Religious and political leaders knew His name, and thousands flocked to hear Him teach. But Jesus never relied on His celebrity. In fact, He was willing to give it away to those who followed Him. Join us for Part 9 of This Is Us to see how Jesus calls everyone in His Church to be a kingdom of priests.

Henry Ford is often credited with the creation of the modern assembly line. This simple concept revolutionized industry around the world. Assembly lines are great for products but terrible for people. Whether it is the automated voice system answering your calls or the self-check line at your favorite big box store, we have all experienced the frustrations of being placed on the automated assembly line. Join us for part 8 of This is Us, where we will learn that disciples can’t be made on the assembly lines of programs but must be handcrafted. 

Life is full of transitions. Sometimes we choose the transition and sometimes it is forced upon us. Whatever leads us to it, change is an opportunity to grow and serve God as we commit to following Him. Join us for part 7 of This Is Us, where we will learn that God is calling us to bloom wherever He plants us.

They exist everywhere. Little contradictions that are sometimes humorous and sometimes downright disturbing. From driving on a parkway and parking in a driveway to the endorsement of slavery by a nation whose founding document states that all men are created equal. But what happens when the message of the Gospel is contradicted by the church that is proclaiming it? Join us for part 6 of This Is Us, where we will learn that the Gospel is validated by the unity of the Church.

Twenty years ago, no one had a smartphone, and few had social media accounts. Twenty years before that, no one had heard of e-mail or the Internet. One hundred years before that, people relied on a horse and buggy for transportation. Technology and culture continue to change at an accelerated rate. With all that has changed, how has the church endured? Join us for part 5 of This is Us, where we will explore the one enduring truth that holds us together. 

Companies and organizations measure their success and report it to their stakeholders. How much did we make (or lose)? What was our quarterly growth (or decline)? Did we come in on time and under budget (or is someone getting fired)? The institutional church also has a set of metrics it uses to measure its success. How many people were in worship this week? How much money was collected in the offering last month? How many people did we baptize the previous year? But is that the best way to determine the success of a Jesus Centered Community? Join us for part four of This Is Us, where we will learn that we measure success by our sending capacity rather than our seating capacity.