Live Free with Josh Howerton

What if some of the “lost” or “banned” gospels actually tell us more about the real Jesus than the Bible does? It’s a claim that continues to resurface—and a recent viral conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience brought it back into the spotlight. In this bonus episode of LIVE FREE, Pastors Carlos and Paul react to claims about the Gnostic Gospels and examine the historical evidence behind Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Were books about Jesus intentionally suppressed by the Church? Were the Gnostic Gospels actually written first? And can we trust the New Testament to give us an accurate picture of the historical Jesus? Along the way, they also discuss why Christians should pursue truth without becoming hostile toward people asking sincere questions—and why getting Jesus right matters. In this episode: What the Gnostic Gospels actually are Why they were rejected by the early Church When the biblical Gospels were written compared to the Gnostic texts The evidence supporting Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Why the full character of Jesus matters How to respond when popular voices make questionable claims about Christianity Why the real Jesus continues to transform lives 2,000 years later If you’ve ever wondered whether books were removed from the Bible, whether the Church hid alternative accounts of Jesus, or how confident we can be in the Gospels, this conversation is for you. Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

What happens when compassion begins to override truth and justice? And how should Christians respond when a tragic national story becomes a deeply emotional cultural debate? In this bonus episode of LIVE FREE, Pastor Josh examines the national conversation surrounding the Lindsey Clancy case and uses it as a starting point for a biblical discussion about justice, moral responsibility, feminism, toxic empathy, and the danger of allowing emotion or ideology to determine what is right and wrong. But this conversation doesn't end with judgment. Josh turns to the gospel and the radical truth that God's grace is available even to those guilty of the most devastating sins. Christians are called to hold justice and compassion together—refusing to compromise truth while never forgetting the forgiveness offered through Jesus. In this episode, you'll learn: How Christians can view cultural events through the lens of Scripture What the Bible teaches about justice and moral responsibility How ideology can cause people to choose sides instead of pursuing truth The difference between biblical compassion and toxic empathy Why emotion should never override truth or justice How Scripture addresses deception and cultural influence Why the gospel offers grace and forgiveness even in the face of horrific sin Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

What should Christians do when a viral accusation against a pastor suddenly takes over the internet? Believe it? Share it? Defend the pastor? Or stay out of it entirely? In this bonus episode of the LIVE FREE Podcast, Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul unpack the viral criticism surrounding Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell and use it to address a much bigger issue: how Christians should respond to accusations, online mobs, and criticism of spiritual leaders. The conversation explores the biblical tension between holding pastors accountable and refusing to participate in gossip, slander, or unverified accusations. This isn't an argument that pastors are above accountability. Scripture takes the character of spiritual leaders seriously—but it also takes false accusations seriously. Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul examine biblical examples from Jesus, Paul, Stephen, Nehemiah, and the early church to help Christians discern what they're seeing online before joining the mob. In this episode, you'll learn: How Christians should respond to viral accusations against pastors Why Scripture requires evidence before entertaining an accusation against an elder The difference between biblical accountability and online slander How criticism can become a distraction from God's calling Why Christians must be careful about what they believe, repeat, and share How to support and pray for pastors facing public criticism Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul unpack Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1 and trace his transformation from a fearful young leader into a faithful, courageous pastor. They also compare the major Christian views of baptism in the Holy Spirit, explain what changed between the old and new covenants, and discuss why every believer should continually seek the Spirit’s filling. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Christians should respond to wars, disasters, and uncertainty Why fear should never become the controlling force in your decisions How Scripture—not feelings—helps you discern God’s direction The differences between cessationist, Pentecostal, and charismatic views What the Bible teaches about receiving and being filled with the Holy Spirit How the Spirit empowers believers for holiness, courage, and ministry Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. Don’t miss our most recent bonus episode, An ISLAMIC Takeover is Coming…Here’s what Christians Should Do. Watch now: https://youtu.be/RWY9GPDqor8 💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Who is shaping your faith—and whose faith are you helping shape? Spiritual maturity requires more than consuming sermons and Christian content. It grows through relationships with faithful believers who can model, correct, encourage, and walk alongside us. Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul unpack the relationship between Paul and Timothy, explain how to find or become a spiritual parent, and examine whether apostles still exist in the church today. They also respond to cultural ideas about parental authority and show why Christians must use Scripture as the lens through which they understand the world. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your heroes and influences shape your spiritual direction What Paul and Timothy teach us about spiritual fathers and sons How to find a mature Christian who can help you grow How to become a spiritual mother or father to someone else The difference between the original apostles and apostolic ministry today Why parents carry primary responsibility for discipling their children How to recognize cultural arguments that conflict with biblical truth Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. 💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download

Spiritual warfare is real—but what does the Bible actually teach about fighting it? In this episode, Pastors Josh, Carlos, and Paul break down the armor of God piece by piece and show how truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel, Scripture, and prayer help believers stand firm against the enemy’s schemes. They also explore where Satan came from, whether he can read your thoughts, and how Christians should evaluate dramatic spiritual manifestations and deliverance ministries. This conversation offers a biblical framework that avoids both fear-driven superstition and dismissive cynicism, pointing listeners back to Jesus, Scripture, repentance, and lasting fruit. In this episode, you’ll learn: What each piece of the armor of God means and how to put it on Why prayer is the often-forgotten culmination of Ephesians 6 What Scripture suggests about Satan’s origin, authority, and limitations Whether the enemy can read your mind How to test spiritual experiences and claims of deliverance biblically Why lasting repentance and the fruit of the Spirit matter more than emotional intensity Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free. Learn More: Should Christians Speak in TONGUES!? | Live Free with Josh Howerton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6IvoCKzb3o&t=61s 🍿Join us in person for At the Movies, our annual four-week series using scenes from popular films to bring biblical truths to life! Learn more and find a campus at https://lakepointe.church/at-the-movies/ ✝️ Find out what DID make it into the sermon: Join us in-person for At The Movies!  💬 This week’s giveaway: Comment HAT 🧢 Want a Live Free hat of your own? Visit LiveFree.shop 📲 Looking to grow deeper in your faith? Check out the Lakepointe App to access our Discipleship Guide, daily Bible reading plan, and more. Text APP to 20411 to download