Spoken Gospel
Spoken Gospel aims to equip the church to speak the gospel out of every corner of scripture. Co-hosts David Bowden and Seth Stewart discuss a Bible passage each week, showing how it points to Jesus.
Episodes
John Overview: Water in the Old Testament
Water flows through nearly every chapter of John's Gospel. From Jesus' baptism to the woman at the well, from healing beside a pool to walking on the sea, John uses water imagery to describe Jesus' ministry.
David and Christine dive into the Old Testament to trace the theme of water through the biblical story and how rescue from chaotic depths and provision of life-giving streams are images that
John Overview: What is a Sign?
The Gospel of John is structured around seven signs that build toward an eighth—the resurrection of Jesus. To understand what John means by a "sign," David and Christine walk through the biblical story, tracing where and how signs appear in Scripture. From the heavenly lights of creation to the plagues that fell on Egypt, John shows that Jesus' signs reveal that he is God in the flesh who has come
John 1: In the Beginning Was the Word
John opens his Gospel not with a birth narrative or a genealogy, but with a stunning claim about who Jesus has always been.
David and Christine walk through John's prologue and talk about how the Word of God appears as a visible divine person over 100 times in the Old Testament, how the logic of creation itself proves Jesus is uncreated and therefore God, and why the incarnation—God becoming fle
Gospel of John Overview: A Unique Eyewitness
John's account of Jesus' life and Gospel has long been noted for its uniqueness compared to the synoptic accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
In this episode, David and Christine begin the series on the Gospel of John, exploring who John is as a unique eyewitness, his purpose for writing, and the importance of reading John on his own terms to see Jesus as the God who incarnates and fulfills Scri
Farewell Seth: What Seven Years in Scripture Taught Us
After nearly seven years of reading through the entire Bible together, Seth Stewart steps away from the Spoken Gospel Podcast to pursue eldership and family ministry full time.
In this episode, Seth and David reflect on how seeing Jesus on every page of Scripture changed their understanding of who he is, what it really means to read the Bible faithfully, and why no podcast — including this one —
Acts Overview: The Council of Jerusalem
As the gospel continues to spread among the Gentiles, a dispute arises as to whether non-Jewish converts need to follow Jewish customs like circumcision to be included in the kingdom of God. David and Christine explore the depths of the apostles' discussion in Jerusalem surrounding this issue, taking a closer look at how the apostles interpreted the Scriptures in light of Jesus' ascension to reach
Acts Overview: Peter's Passover
As the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to distant lands, the church lives out Jesus' life on earth through patterns of growth, persecution, and deliverance. In fact, this has been the story of God's people since the very first Passover in Egypt.
David and Christine trace the Passover themes in Peter's escape from prison, which showcase Jesus' ultimate Passover that all people are invited into.
Acts Overview: The Gospel Goes To Cornelius
What does it mean that Gentiles are made clean? How can the Holy Spirit fill Gentiles supposedly outside of God's Kingdom?
David and Christine explore the events surrounding Peter's visit to Cornelius, the implications that Jesus' ascension and worldwide atonement have on the nations, and how the Gentile Pentecost connects to the stories of Ezekiel, Jonah, and even Noah's descendants.
Acts Overview: Saul's Encounter with Jesus
Saul was breathing out threats and murder against the followers of Jesus—until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus.
David and Christine explore how this story echoes both King Saul's pursuit of David and Elisha's surprising hospitality to enemy soldiers. Together, they uncover a stunning theme: God saves his people by showing kindness to his enemies.
Acts Overview: Stephen, the First Martyr
Stephen was the first person to give his life for Jesus, and his death mirrors the death of Jesus in stunning ways.
David and Christine walk through Stephen's brilliant sermon, his vision of the risen Christ, and how his martyrdom set the stage for the gospel to spread and for Saul's transformation into the Apostle Paul.
Acts Overview: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
A wealthy Ethiopian official journeys to Jerusalem seeking the God of Israel, only to find himself excluded from the very temple he longed to enter.
David and Christine talk about ancient riddles, the Queen of Sheba, and how Philip's encounter with this outsider shows that the Gospel breaks down every barrier to bring the nations into God's family.
Acts Overview: The Gospel Goes to Samaria
When persecution scatters the church beyond Jerusalem, Philip takes the gospel to Samaria—a region synonymous with religious syncretism and idolatry for centuries. In this episode, David, Christine, and Josh explore how Philip's ministry mirrors Jesus' own work, bringing healing and freedom to a people long excluded from God's family.
Acts Overview: The Day of Pentecost
Pentecost wasn't just another Jewish festival—it was God's cosmic reset button for all creation. David, Christine, and Josh walk through the dramatic events of Acts 2, where the theophanic cloud that once filled the temple now fills God's people.
They explore how Peter's sermon reveals the most scandalous aspect of the Gospel: those who killed God are offered forgiveness, cleansing, and the gi
Acts Overview: The Cloud Rider and His Witnesses
What does it mean that Jesus ascended on a cloud and promised to return the same way? David, Christine, and Josh explore how Acts continues the story Jesus began in Luke's Gospel, showing Jesus as the cloud-riding Son of Man from Daniel 7 who conquers evil empires and shares his throne with his people.
Psalms of Ascent: Psalms 130-134
The final five Songs of Ascent (Psalms 130-134) complete Israel's journey from the watery depths of exile to the heights of God's temple. David and Seth explore how these psalms reveal God's plenteous forgiveness, the promises made to King David, and Israel's calling as a kingdom of priests who will bless the nations through the coming Messiah.
Psalms of Ascent: Psalms 125-129
The middle songs of ascent (Psalms 125-129) form the climactic high point of these ancient worship songs, with Solomon's temple psalm at the very center.
Seth and David explore how these psalms promise that those who trust in God are as immovable as Mount Zion itself, while wicked rulers will never permanently rest in God's land.
Psalms of Ascent: Psalms 120-124
The Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) tell the story of Israel's return from exile. In this episode, Seth and David walk through the first five psalms in this collection, exploring how they capture the journey from the farthest point of exile—surrounded by enemies and word vipers—through the wilderness, and finally arriving at Jerusalem's gates. These songs show us how God comes to us in our exile
Psalms Overview: Songs of Ascent
The Songs of Ascent are 15 psalms that form a unique "concept album" within Scripture, telling the story of God's people returning from exile to Jerusalem and the temple.
In this podcast episode, Seth and David explore how these interconnected psalms represent a pilgrim's journey from Babylon back to God's mountain, moving through three movements: calling on God from exile, finding safety within
Proverbs Sermon: Who is the Proverbs 31 Woman?
The identity of the woman in Proverbs 31 has been debated for generations. In this sermon episode, David reveals how she represents far more than an impossible standard for individual women—she's actually the culmination of the entire biblical story.
From the Garden of Eden to the New Testament church, David traces the hope that a wise king would marry Wisdom itself. This hope points directly
2 Corinthians 11-12: Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
Paul's "thorn in the flesh" has sparked countless theories about physical ailments and personal struggles, but the answer may be simpler than we think. Seth and David explore Paul's third heaven experience and show how his thorn in the flesh connects to the pattern of Old Testament prophets and God's power being made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 8-9: The Economics of Generosity
Paul spends two entire chapters in 2 Corinthians asking for money, which seems to contradict his earlier insistence that he never charged the Corinthians for his ministry.
In this podcast episode, Seth and David explore Paul's teaching on generosity and show how he reframes giving as participating in God's miracle of provision and proving the genuineness of our faith through Christ-like sacrific
2 Corinthians 6: Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
The phrase "do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" is commonly applied to Christian marriage, but that wasn't Paul's original intent. Seth and David explore the rich biblical background of this famous passage and show how Paul was actually warning the Corinthians against yoking themselves to false teachers who were leading them away from Jesus and his Gospel.
Mark Sermon: Jesus Bears True Witness About Himself
Everyone in Mark's trial narrative bears false witness about who Jesus is—the religious leaders, the crowds, and even Peter who denies knowing him three times. But Jesus himself bears true witness, revealing that he is the merciful God who dies for those who betray him. In this podcast episode, David explores how this passage completes the story Scripture has been telling since Eden about God's re
Mark Sermon: Jesus Has Dominion Over Spiritual Powers
For the first time in Mark's Gospel, Jesus crosses from Jewish territory into Gentile lands to confront the spiritual forces that have oppressed the nations. In this podcast episode, David walks through the longest exorcism account in Scripture, showing how Jesus fulfills God's promise to bless all nations by liberating a man possessed by a legion of demons and demonstrating his authority over eve
Mark Sermon: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
The Pharisees created extra laws around God's commands to bring the Messiah and restore Israel as a blessing to the world. But when Jesus comes, he shows that he is the fulfillment, authority, and purpose of the law. In this podcast episode, David walks through three stories in Mark where Jesus demonstrates His lordship over the Sabbath and reveals Himself as the long-awaited bridegroom, King, and
Mark Sermon: John the Baptist
In this podcast episode, David Bowden delves into Mark 1:2-15 on John the Baptist.
1 Corinthians 14: Understanding Spiritual Gifts
In this episode of the Spoken Gospel Podcast, David and Seth explore one of the most challenging passages in 1 Corinthians - chapter 14. They examine Paul's teachings on spiritual gifts, particularly tongues and prophecy, as well as his instructions for orderly worship. Given Corinth's pagan context, Paul is determined to teach these new Christians that the purpose of their God-given gifts is to b
1 Corinthians 11: Understanding Head Coverings
In this episode of the Spoken Gospel Podcast, David and Seth explore the controversial passage on head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11. They examine the cultural context of ancient Corinth, unpack Paul's arguments, and reveal how this challenging text ultimately points to the beauty of Jesus and the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 8-10: Understanding Christian Liberty
In this episode of the Spoken Gospel podcast, David and Seth explore the complex issue of food sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8-10. They unpack the historical context of Corinth as a pagan Greek city and how new Christian converts struggled with questions about eating meat offered to idols.
Bible Engagement and Reclaim Today: A Conversation with Daniel Day
In this episode of the Spoken Gospel Podcast, host David Bowden sits down with Daniel Day from Our Daily Bread Ministries to discuss Bible engagement and the Reclaim Today initiative.
Mark Sermon: Cursing the Fig Tree
In this podcast episode, David Bowden delves into Mark 11:12-25, exploring the interconnected stories of Jesus cursing the fig tree, cleansing the temple, and teaching about faith and prayer. David unpacks the rich symbolism and theological significance behind these events, demonstrating how they relate to God's larger plan for redemption and the role of the temple throughout biblical history.
Mark Sermon: Jesus' Teaching on Divorce
In this podcast episode, David Bowden explores Jesus' teaching on divorce from Mark 10:1-12. David examines the passage within the broader narrative of Mark's gospel and the overarching story of Scripture. He unpacks how Jesus' response to the Pharisees reveals profound truths about God's design for marriage and His relationship with His people.
Mark Sermon: The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith
In this podcast episode, we dive deep into Mark 7:24-30, exploring the challenging story of Jesus and the Syrophoenician woman. This passage has often confused and even offended readers, but when understood in its proper context, it reveals a beautiful picture of Jesus' ministry to outcasts and foreigners.
Proverbs Overview: Meet Pete the Simple
In this episode, David and Seth explore the cast of characters that fill the book of Proverbs, from the Fool and the Wicked to the Wise and the Righteous. Through the journey of "Pete the Simple" - the malleable youth open to instruction - they show how these characters serve as warnings and examples on the path to wisdom, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the perfect model to follow.
Proverbs Overview: Fear of the Lord
In this podcast episode, Seth and David explore what it means to "fear the Lord" in the quest for wisdom. Starting in Genesis, they track the theme of wisdom and folly throughout the biblical story - from Adam and Eve's fateful choice in Eden to Jesus' perfect example of godly wisdom.
Though the world saw the cross as foolishness, Jesus' humble obedience revealed God's true wisdom and opened the
Proverbs Overview: Living Wisely in God's World
God made the world to reflect his wisdom. As people observe God’s wise ordering of the universe they compile proverbs, short sayings meant to be contemplated and applied to everyday life. Every culture has proverbs, so it’s no surpise we should find a book full of them in our Bibles. But what is wisdom as the Bible sees it? How do we live well in the world God made?
David and Seth explore the genr
Song of Songs Overview: The Song and Jesus
Seth and David ask why a song about the honeymoon night is in our Bibles and try to tell the story of the Hebrew people and Jesus as the story of a marriage.
Song of Songs Overview: The Honeymoon Night
Seth and David go deep into the five main poetic movements in the Song of Songs.
Song of Songs Overview
Get ready to hear about the greatest of all songs, the Song of Songs, or as it's also known, the Song of Solomon. Seth and David talk about the interconnected poems of the Song and the unique contribution it makes to the Bible's story.
2 Corinthians: The Unveiled Face
In this podcast episode, Seth and David do a deep dive into one of their favorite verses in the Bible.
2 Corinthians Overview: What is an Apostle?
A group of "super-apostles" have invaded the church in Corinth. In this episode, Seth and David talk about what exactly an apostle is and why Paul spends so much of this letter defending his ministry.
Special: Learning to Be Loved - Chapter 9, Bible
In this podcast episode, Spoken Gospel Executive Director David Bowden shares about his latest book, Learning to Be Loved. This episode also includes a free audio version of Chapter 9: Bible, where you'll learn how the Bible is a place to encounter Jesus and be transformed.
Isaiah Overview: The Servant's Songs
There are four songs in Isaiah attributed to God's Servant. Seth and David walk though each one and show how they anticipate the coming of Jesus and restoration of God's people.
Isaiah Overview: Immanuel
Every Christmas, Christians worldwide hear Isaiah's prophecies about a child called "Immanuel." Seth and David talk about one of the best-known prophecies in Scripture and how it prepares us for the birth of Jesus.
Isaiah Overview: The Servant
One of Isaiah's most famous prophecies talks about a "suffering servant." But that idea is found all the way back in the book of Genesis. Seth and David trace the theme of servants throughout the Bible and talk about servants in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah Overview
Isaiah is one of the most important books for both the Old and New Testaments. In this intro episode, Seth and David talk about what prophecy is and why Isaiah is so important to the Biblical story.
1 Corinthians Overview: A Wrong View of the Body
Underneath almost every command Paul gives the Corinthian church is a summons to remember that Jesus is coming back soon. Jesus' second coming and the resurrection of all people are the motivation for almost everything he calls his church to do.
In this podcast episode, Seth and David talk about bodies, Jesus' resurrection, and why resurrection bodies were so important to Paul.
1 Corinthians Overview: "New" Corinth, Freaky Friday, and Church Surgery
The church in Corinth had a lot of problems and most of them had something to do with Corinthian’s posture towards their culture and their understanding of the resurrection. Seth and David introduce the book of Corinthians, talk about the strange way the ancient philosophy of Dualism pops up in modern culture, and how Corinthians is really good news for really broken churches.
Romans Overview: What Happens to Israel?
The final section of Romans opens with a question. If non-Jews have been included in God's promises to Israel because of faith in Jesus, what about Jews who do not believe in Jesus? Seth and David talk about the faithfulness of God and how he is still faithful to God's people.
Romans Overview: A New Humanity
Paul tells us everything we "get" because of our faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. Seth and David talk about what it means to be God's heirs, to have the Spirit, to be adopted, and to be free.
Romans Overview: Handed Over To Death
The opening chapters of Romans tell us that when humans stand before God, everyone is equal. We are all under the thumb of Sin and Death. Humanity's only hope to be rescued is faith in Jesus. Seth and David talk about what it means to be "saved" and how Jesus rescues us from both the power of Death and God's perfect justice.
Romans Overview: Jesus is King
Romans is one of the most unique and important books of the Bible. It's a letter that says over and over that ALL people are included in the promises God made to Israel. Seth and David talk through who Paul was and what was going on in Rome that led to the letter we call "Romans."
Lamentations Overview: Mercy Every Morning
The Book of Lamentations is a series of five anonymous, acrostic poems that record and weep over the devastation of Jerusalem at the hands of Babylon. Seth and David walk through the story weaved throughout Lamentations' five poems and talk about the surprising good news of God's silence in the middle of suffering.
Lamentations Overview: What is a Lament?
The Book of Lamentations is a series of five anonymous, acrostic poems that record and weep over the devastation of Jerusalem at the hands of Babylon. Seth and David talk about the artistic genius of Lamentations, the theological and therapeutic value of laments, and why we shouldn't sanitize our prayers.
Ezekiel Overview: A City of Rest and Freedom
Even more shocking than Ezekiel's oracles of judgment is his insistence that God has not rejected the very same people who have abandoned him. Seth and David talk about the shocking mercy of God, architectural Sabbaths, and why a vision of God's temple shows up at the end of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel Overview: Prophecies of Shock and Awe
Ezekiel's prophecies are meant to shock his audience out of their spiritual apathy and idolatry and Ezekiel uses some of the most graphic language in the Bible to do it. Ezekiel uses images of blood, insects, prostitution, and even donkey sex to make his point. Seth and David walk through some of Ezekiel's most shocking prophecies and talk about how even passages of judgment prove the goodness of
Ezekiel Overview: God Shows Up in Babylon
The opening chapters of Ezekiel start with a bang. Ezekiel sees a vision of God and it's... overwhelming. Wheels full of eyes, four-headed angels, and a massive storm rush over Ezekiel and he's left comatose for 7 days. Seth and David walk through one of the most intense depictions of God in the Old Testament and show how it all connects to Jesus getting baptized.
Ezekiel Overview: Counting Down to New Creation
Ezekiel and his prophecies are some of the most vivid, intense, and disturbing in all the Bible. But Ezekiel isn't primarily a prophet of doom but of new creation. Seth and David talk about Ezekiel's prophecies and the good news that in Jesus Ezekiel's prophecies begin to come true.
Good News in A Bad News World
When we think of the word "gospel" we normally think of something religious but when Jesus' first followers would have heard it, they would have heard something closer to Roman propaganda. Seth and David talk about the origins of the term "Gospel" and how Jesus brings good news into a world full of bad news.
Jeremiah Overview: Jesus, the new Jeremiah
There are just SO MANY parallels between Jesus and Jeremiah. Seth and David walk through dozens of examples where Jesus completes the narrative arc begun in Jeremiah and brings the hopes of Jeremiah's ministry to completion.
Jeremiah Overview: Prophecies to an Unfaithful Bride
One of Jeremiah's most used metaphors to describe Judah is as an adulterous bride. Seth and David unpack this sometimes unsettling image and discuss how Jesus is the Groom who stops at nothing to rescue and marry his bride.
Jeremiah Overview: A Prophet Like Moses
Ever since God led his people out of Egypt he promised that Israel would always have a prophetic leader like Moses to help guide the nation. While Moses was God's prophet at Israel's founding, Jeremiah was God's prophet as Israel died. Seth and David discuss Jeremiah as Moses' prophetic successor and how Jesus walks on the scene as the prophet of Israel's re-creation.
Jeremiah Overview: A Prophet of Inevitable Death
Jeremiah is a tortured prophet tasked to preach a message of inescapable death and decline. In this episode, Seth and David unpack Jeremiah's unique prophetic ministry and how a prophet of such gloomy news helps us encounter Jesus.
Who on earth is the "Man of Lawlessness"?
The book of Thessalonians has some of the most specific and yet some of the most vague passages about when Jesus comes again. In this experimental episode Seth and David wade through one option for understanding the Day of the Lord and who the Man of Lawlessness might be.
2 Thessalonians Overview: Jesus Hasn't Come Back Yet
Under intense persecution, the Thessalonian church slowly began to believe that Jesus had already returned, and perhaps, left them behind. Seth and David talk about misconceptions about Jesus' return and why our suffering can be both good news and proof that we haven't been left behind.
1 Thessalonians Overview: Caught Up in the Air
What does it mean when Paul says we are "caught up in the air"? Seth and David walk through the back half of the book of Thessalonians and talk about the good news that Jesus is coming back soon.
1 Thessalonians Overview: A Church with Only Three Weeks of Bible School
After only spending about three weeks with a brand new group of believers in Thessalonica, the apostle Paul and Silas are kicked out of the city by a mob and are unable to return. But despite the intense persecution and their immature faith, the Thessalonians became model Christians throughout the Mediterranean.
In this episode, Seth and David talk about this fledgling church and the good news t
Chronicles Overview: A "Perfect" Solomon and Three Stray Arrows
2 Chronicles opens by describing Solomon as an ideal leader. He is who all Israelite kings should try to live up to. But the rest of 2 Chronicles charts how none of Israel's kings ever reach his glory. Seth and David talk through the Chroniclers' "perfect" description of Solomon and why it's good news that priesthoods determine the course of nations.
Chronicles Overview: David's Rise To Power
1 Chronicles centers around David's rise to power, his skill as a nation-builder, and his preparation to construct God's temple. Seth and David talk about the eternal dynasty promised to David and the surprising good news of priestly bureaucracy.
Chronicles Overview: The Forgotten Musical in our Bibles
Chronicles records the history of God's people from Adam all the way to their return from exile. It's also a book full of music, instruments, singing, and songs. Seth and David compare Chronicles to Hamilton and talk about how the story of Israel's founding father, David, gives a new generation of leaders a rubric to rebuild their nation.
Revelation Overview: Revelation in 60 Minutes
The book of Revelation is a unified story of hope for Christians who are suffering and being persecuted. David and Seth unpack the story of Revelation and how all its complex images tell a beautiful story that ends in a wedding.
Revelation Overview: Jesus' Wedding Day
At the beginning of Revelation, there is a king seated on a throne, and throughout Revelation, a bride prepares herself to marry this king, and at the very end, there is a wedding. Seth and David talk about the themes of "King" and "Bride" in the book of Revelation and how Jesus can't wait to marry his people.
Revelation Overview: We Conquer Through Death
Like Jesus, humanity is meant to rule the world and to spill their blood for the good of others. Seth and David talk about one of the most counter-intuitive teachings in Revelation–that Christians conquer when they suffer and die.
Revelation Overview: What's the Deal with 666?
The book of Revelation is full of complex symbols, strange beasts, and mysterious numbers. In this episode, Seth and David talk about how to approach all the complexities of Revelation and how to read it as a story of hope for persecuted and suffering Christians.
Hebrews Overview: Stiff Warnings and a Hall of Fame
Hebrews includes some of the scariest warnings in all of Scripture right next to dozens of examples of the most impressive people in the Bible. Many of us have read these passages and wondered how we'll ever measure up, and if God might just decide to be done with us. Seth and David talk about what the warning passages of Hebrews mean and what it means to have faith.
Hebrews Overview: Why Should I Care About Melchizedek?
The author of Hebrews continues to challenge his Jewish audience to follow Jesus despite persecution. Because Jesus is a better priest and offers a better sacrifices he is worth their perseverance. Seth and David talk about the lesser-known character of Melchizedek and why it's good news that Jesus has been sworn into his priestly order.
Hebrews Overview: Jesus is Better Than... Angels?
Hebrews starts somewhere we might not, proving that Jesus is better than angels, or more generally, the "messengers" of the Old Covenant. Seth and David explain why the author of Hebrews starts his letter talking about angels and why it's good news that Jesus is not an angel.
The Two-Hour Holy Week Special
In case you missed our special Holy Week releases, here they are again! This time our eight mini-episodes covering each day of Holy Week are here in one two-hour special!
Holy Week Special: Resurrection Sunday
1600 years ago Christians began calling the last days of Jesus’ life “Holy Week.” Seth and David talk about Easter Sunday and why it's good news that Jesus was raised from the dead.
Holy Week Special: Holy Saturday
1600 years ago Christians began calling the last days of Jesus’ life “Holy Week.” Today is Holy Saturday. Seth and David talk about Holy Saturday and the day Jesus rested in his tomb is good news.
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