The Exhorter Podcast

11/24/2025

85 - Behind the Mic with Kris Emerson

In this episode, we sit down with Kris Emerson, preacher and host of Excel Still More Podcast, for an honest look at podcasting as ministry: the wins, the pivots, the discouragements, and the moments that prove it matters. Kris shares how a simple idea recorded on the closet floor grew into a weekly tool for spiritual growth, and why his message has shifted from self-improvement to Jesus-anchored transformation.

We also talk shop — recording habits, personal standards, editing philosophy, multi-host dynamics, and how to balance creativity with calling without getting swallowed by metrics. If you're building something, teaching something, or trying to grow without drifting, this conversation will encourage you to stay consistent, stay humble, and stay Christ-focused.

11/23/2025

84 - Seeing Jesus First: Beyond Extremes with Kris Emerson

In this episode, we sit down with Kris Emerson to discuss how Christians can stay focused on Christ over extremes of Christian leanings. We explore why chasing spiritual “rightness” outside of Jesus can lead to fear, division, and extremes — whether on the left, the right, traditional, or progressive. If you've wrestled with church culture, legalism, credibility, or fear-based decision-making, we hope this conversation will encourage you to see Jesus first.

11/04/2025

83 - We All Should Be Preparing for Eldership

What if the path to stronger churches begins long before anyone is asked to serve? We dig into the surprising power of aspiration—how aiming toward the biblical qualities of an elder can shape every believer’s character, whether the title ever comes or not. Is aspiring to be an elder only for a few? We argue it’s a vision for everyone.

"If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task" (1 Tim 3:1). This episode reframes “elder qualifications” as a roadmap for every disciple. We walk through 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, press into the hard questions (What if I’ve blown it? What if my time is too tight? What if I never become an elder?), and get practical about training hospitality and integrity at home—long before anyone is nominated.

Full Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/18128789

10/26/2025

82 - Are We "Planting Thorns"? with guest Phil Robertson

Are we planting thorns in our homes? What if the biggest threats to your child’s faith look like good opportunities on the calendar? In this episode, we sit down with Phil Robertson to explore how Jesus’ warning about the “thorns” (Matthew 13:7) still applies today—sports, school, screens, and busy schedules that quietly choke out spiritual growth.

Together, we unpack how parents can cultivate hearts that love God above all, using Matthew 6:19-21 as our guide. Phil shares practical wisdom from his own family—how to set priorities around worship, balance activities with conviction, and keep conversations about faith alive at home.

If you’ve ever felt torn between giving your kids every opportunity and guarding their souls, this conversation will help you find peace, perspective, and purpose.

Full Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/18074985

10/06/2025

81 - Work Heartily: The Blessing of Work Ethic

Whether you're battling the Monday blues, feeling stuck in a job you dislike, or struggling to find balance between work and home, this episode offers biblical wisdom to help you renew your perspective. Work isn't just about earning a paycheck – it's about glorifying God in everything we do, finding contentment in our current season, and remembering that providing for our families means more than just financial support. From Genesis to Colossians 3:23, we see how working “as for the Lord” turns even mundane tasks into meaningful service and guards us from both laziness and workaholism.

How might viewing your daily work as service to God transform your attitude toward that next deadline or difficult project? Listen now and discover the joy of working "as unto the Lord."

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/17918329

09/23/2025

80 - What Happens When We Die?

What happens after our final breath? In this episode, we dive into what Scripture teaches about death and the judgment that follows. The Bible makes it clear that our consciousness continues after death—but is this the final judgment, a temporary waiting place, or does that distinction even matter?

Through the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, we explore what Jesus reveals about the reality of the afterlife. While this isn’t a complete or final word on the subject, we aim to help you reflect on what matters most and prepare your heart for eternity.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/17879240

09/14/2025

79 - When Your Sins Find You Out

When a tech CEO was caught on a stadium Kiss Cam with someone who wasn’t his wife, the internet turned it into a meme fest. Behind the laughs is a sobering reminder: in a hyperconnected world, double lives don’t stay hidden. This episode explores integrity, hidden sin, and the toll of compartmentalized living. We reflect on Numbers 32:23—“be sure your sin will find you out”—and how this truth surfaces in our daily choices.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2219440/episodes/17683389

08/10/2025

78 - Do We Follow Our Feelings or Biblical Truth?

Are emotions misleading distractions or God-given guides? This question sits at the heart of many spiritual struggles as believers try to navigate between what they feel and what they know to be true.

Drawing from biblical examples and personal experiences, our conversation explores the often-misunderstood relationship between emotions and principles in the Christian life. Rather than positioning these as opposing forces, we uncover how God designed them to work in harmony, with emotions providing motivation and principles offering direction.

Are emotions misleading distractions or God-given guides? This question sits at the heart of many spiritual struggles as believers try to navigate between what they feel and what they know to be true.Drawing from biblical examples and personal exp...

08/02/2025

77 - Is the Church Shrinking? Should We Be Worried?

While headlines and studies point to a steady decline in church attendance across the country, what does that mean for us, especially in the Churches of Christ? In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at the data, listen to what some are saying about the future of the church, and consider how we should respond—not with panic, but with purpose. We’ll talk about what it means to live out the mission of Christ, how congregations can stay vibrant and faithful, and why the health of the church depends less on trends and more on our daily walk, our prayers, and our willingness to share the gospel.

While headlines and studies point to a steady decline in church attendance across the country, what does that mean for us, especially in the Churches of Christ? In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at the data, listen to what some are saying...