The Covenant Podcast

This week on Table Talk, Pastors Nick Shepherd and Bobbi Lassiter follow up on Pastor Kyle’s sermon series, "More Than a Feeling," by exploring the intersection of faith and love in 1 John 3. They argue that belief and love are inseparable, and that faith is not merely intellectual information but an intimate, lived experience rooted in the recognition of God’s abiding love for us.

The conversation also highlights the importance of spiritual discernment in navigating the many "voices" that vie for our attention. Using an analogy of students trying to navigate a room while being shouted at by a crowd, they illustrate how difficult it is to hear God’s voice amidst the noise of the world. The hosts suggest that hearing and trusting God’s voice requires intentional proximity and relationship, much like being able to recognize the voice of a close family member in a lineup of strangers.

This week on Table Talk, Pastors Kyle Gatlin and Nick Shepherd launch a new series centered on the book of 1 John. They begin by exploring the theme of "walking in the light" and the foundational command of love, noting that while it is rooted in Old Testament law, it is made new through the life and teaching of Jesus. The hosts discuss the spiritual necessity of engaging with the entire Bible, arguing that historical church rhythms help believers avoid the "echo chambers" of personal preference and cultural trends.

Kyle brings us the message recorded live at Covenant.

Kyle brings us the message recorded live at Covenant.

This week on Table Talk, Pastors Kyle Gatlin and Nick Shepherd dive into the final episode of their Advent series by addressing why some churches observe Advent while others do not. Tracing the season’s roots back to the 4th-century Council of Saragossa, the hosts explain how Advent originated as a season of penitence and preparation similar to Lent, designed to anchor believers in the full story of Christ's birth and return.
The conversation then shifts to the modern challenge of people-pleasing within the church. The pastors discuss the tension between honoring meaningful traditions and catering to personal preferences, warning that avoiding historical rhythms can distract from the church's true mission. They also draw a parallel between rejecting church liturgy and the way social media algorithms create echo chambers, arguing that the liturgical calendar is essential for forcing Christians to engage with the whole Bible rather than just the parts they prefer.