Community Bible Church- Strongs- Rooted Podcast

In this episode, we reunite with Pat, a mentor and friend, who shares a profound message on faith, transformation, and understanding our true identity in Christ. Pat delves into the significance of being 'in Christ' and explains how this spiritual truth reshapes our understanding of ourselves beyond worldly labels and struggles. He highlights the importance of seeing ourselves as new creatures and how faith brings us into union with Jesus.
Through engaging illustrations, Pat helps us grasp the concept of spiritual blessings and challenges us to re-evaluate how we identify ourselves. We are encouraged to view ourselves as saints, not sinners, and to live victoriously in the spiritual freedom that Christ provides.
The episode also includes a moving testimony by Zach, who shares his personal journey from addiction and brokenness to finding freedom and purpose in faith. His story exemplifies the transformative power of embracing one's identity in Christ.

Join us for Rooted: Week 10 from Community Bible Church in Strongs, Michigan! In this powerful message from Colossians 2:10, we continue our series on strongholds, delving into the lies the evil one plants in our minds. Whether you're a teenager battling insecurities, a parent navigating challenges, or a senior seeking purpose, discover how Christ has already made you complete in Him. Learn to fight like Jesus, rooted and built up in faith, and understand that your worth before God is not based on performance, but on His perfect grace. Tune in and let God's truth set you free from the burden of control and performance-based living. In this inspiring episode, we delve into the concept of spiritual strongholds and how they can influence our lives by distorting our beliefs. Discover the profound truth of being rooted in Christ and how Scripture serves as a powerful weapon to combat these mental barriers. Whether you're grappling with self-worth, seeking purpose, or battling life's challenges, this discussion sheds light on the liberating truth that God’s love is not performance-based. Join us as we unravel the importance of living in submission to God’s authority, highlighting the transformative power of His word and the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives.
 
 

In this powerful installment of the CBC Interview Series, we sit down with Pastor Ben Pent, who bravely shares his journey of confronting personal strongholds. Born on the Amazon mission field, Pastor Ben recounts his early life, conversion, and the lifelong battle with anger that once led to him being expelled from school. He sheds light on the crucial importance of transparency and humility in the Christian walk, explaining how admitting our weaknesses and "dirt" is the first step towards allowing God's transformative power to work through us. This conversation is a testament to the ongoing process of sanctification, offering encouragement that God uses our scars to connect with others and bring Him glory, even into our later years.
 
 
 Pastor Ben Pent shares his remarkable journey from being born in the Amazon jungle to becoming a pastor with over 40 years of ministry experience. He discusses his early life as a missionary's son, his conversion experience, and the struggles he faced with personal strongholds. Pastor Pent emphasizes the importance of transparency, the process of sanctification, and the role of scripture in spiritual growth. He also addresses the challenges of overcoming past hurts and insecurities, ultimately highlighting God's love and grace throughout his journey.
takeaways
Pastor Ben Pent was born in the Amazon jungle to missionary parents.
He experienced a conversion that was initially emotional but lacked true change.
Strongholds can affect anyone, including those in ministry.
Honesty with oneself is crucial for spiritual growth.
Transformation in Christ is a process, not an instant change.
Scripture plays a vital role in spiritual nourishment and growth.
Trials are not a punishment from God but part of the journey.
Past hurts can shape us, but they don't define us.
Discipleship involves sharing struggles and supporting one another.
God's grace is sufficient for our weaknesses and failures.
titles
From the Amazon to the Pulpit: Pastor Ben's Journey
Overcoming Strongholds: A Pastor's Testimony
Sound Bites
"We were born in an Indian tribe"
"I had to be honest with myself"
"You're never gonna amount to anything"
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Pastor Ben Pent
01:30Growing Up as a Missionary Kid
03:14The Journey to Faith
04:53Understanding Strongholds
06:26The Nature of Strongholds
08:13The Process of Transformation
09:57The Role of Transparency in Growth
11:24The Importance of Scripture
13:17Trials and God's Discipline
14:43Building Trust and Overcoming Hurt
16:42The Power of Discipleship
18:28The Ongoing Battle with Sin
20:16Encouragement in the Journey
21:58Final Thoughts and Reflections

"Let the Word of Christ dwell richly among you". This is the call in "Rooted: Dwell Richly, Live Openly," as Pastor Josh Shelpman exposes the stronghold of spiritual isolation. Discover that God desires His truth to profoundly remodel your entire life – not just for Sunday, but every day. Featuring a raw and inspiring testimony, this episode emphasizes that our personal journey with Christ is meant to impact our community. Learn why sharing your "scars" and allowing God's power to shine through your weaknesses is vital for collective growth and demonstrating His transforming grace.

Are you truly certain of God's love for you? In this powerful episode of "Rooted," Pastor Josh Shelpman confronts the stronghold of doubt, particularly the insidious lie that you can't be 100% sure of God's forgiveness and love. Drawing profound truth from Colossians 3:1-4 , Pastor Josh reveals what it means to be "hidden with Christ in God". This isn't a temporary state, but a permanent, unshakeable reality. Discover how your life is eternally concealed in Him, completely independent of your past actions or perceived flaws. This liberating truth changes everything – your worries, your seeking of human approval, and your daily walk. If you've struggled with certainty about your salvation or felt unlovable, prepare for this message to demolish that stronghold and bring absolute clarity and confidence in your identity in Christ.
 
 
 
 
 

In "Rooted: Grace in Weakness," Pastor Josh Shelpman explores the biblical truth that God's power is perfected in our weaknesses. This episode tackles the common experience of questioning God during life's trials and the desire for control. Drawing from Paul's personal struggle with a "thorn in the flesh" , Pastor Josh unpacks Jesus' liberating response: "My grace is sufficient for you". Discover how your moments of perceived inadequacy become a powerful display of God's strength and an invitation for His presence to reside richly within you.

Join Pastor Josh Shelpman in "Rooted Wk. 6," where we delve into the profound teachings from Paul's letter to the church at Colossae. This powerful message equips us to identify and demolish the strongholds that often plague our minds and lives. We'll explore the five core aspects of our identity in Christ: how we are
 
 
rescued from darkness, redeemed through forgiveness, how Christ reigns supreme over all creation, how we are reconciled to God, and how we are deeply rooted in Him. Discover how these truths empower you to overcome feelings of overwhelm, combat the destructive habit of comparison, and shatter the lie that you are unlovable, allowing you to live a life overflowing with gratitude and God-dependence.

In this episode, we dive into our ongoing series "Rooted," focusing on understanding and confronting spiritual strongholds with the truth of God's word. We explore the significance of Deuteronomy 6, 4-9, which calls us to love God wholeheartedly and keep His word constantly before us as a defense against the world's distractions. By examining Paul's letters and the concept of reconciliation, we unveil the power of aligning our belief systems with God's truth to demolish the lies of the evil one.
The discussion highlights common strongholds such as doubting God's love during life's trials, feeling irreparably broken, and believing we're beyond forgiveness. With scriptural backing from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, we emphasize God's plan for reconciliation through Christ, illustrating how this truth can transform perceptions and reactions to life's challenges.
Join us as we explore the vital role of reconciliation in restoring our relationship with God and living under Christ's righteousness, freeing us from the burdens of self-reliance and empowering us to be ambassadors for His kingdom. Experience the hope and renewal that understanding this divine reconciliation brings to believers and seekers alike.