Sermon Notes

Brentwood Baptist Church

Sermon Notes is a new podcast from Brentwood Baptist that takes a deeper look into the sermon planning process and behind the scenes of church life.

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20 episodes
Updated July 28

Episodes20

Newest first

July 28 · 42 min
What Really Happened at the Southern Baptist Convention: A Local Church Perspective
Every June, the Southern Baptist Convention makes headlines, but what actually happens in the room rarely matches the news cycle. In this special edition of Sermon Notes, Senior Pastor Jay Strother and Executive Pastor Brian Coates sit down to explain how the SBC really works: the cooperative program, the annual meeting, this year's big votes, and what it all means for Brentwood Baptist. If you've ever wondered what your church's SBC affiliation actually involves, this conversation gives you the on-the-ground perspective and the facts behind the headlines.
June 16 · 7 min
Confession Is the Key to True Worship | A MasterClass on Worship and Repentance
Is worship just singing, or is it something more? In this masterclass, Hunter Melton explains what true worship really is and why confession is the starting point for a right relationship with God. Many of us think of worship as songs we sing, but Scripture shows that worship is about treasuring God above all things. And before we can worship with a whole heart, we must first come to God with honesty and repentance. If we are not careful, we can go through the motions of worship while our hearts remain distant. But through confession, God restores us, draws us near, and invites us into deeper communion with Him.
June 9 · 12 min
Why You’re Struggling to Read the Bible | A MasterClass on Reading Scripture
Why does reading the Bible feel so overwhelming, and how do you actually start? In this MasterClass, David Hannah walks through the spiritual discipline of reading God’s Word in a world full of information, distraction, and confusion.We have access to more knowledge than ever before, but without a foundation of truth, it can leave us feeling anxious and directionless. Scripture is not just another source of information; it is the living, breathing Word of God that anchors us, equips us, and shapes how we live. Start small. Stay consistent. Let God’s Word shape your life.
June 2 · 6 min
Why Silence Feels So Uncomfortable | A MasterClass on Solitude
Why does silence feel so uncomfortable in a world full of constant noise and distraction? In this masterclass, Brandon Abbott shares practical ways to step away from distraction, create intentional space for solitude, and build rhythms of quiet that help you hear from God.If we are not careful, noise and activity will shape our thoughts, emotions, and pace of life more than God’s presence does. But through silence, Scripture, and intentional habits, we can slow down, reflect, and be formed more into the image of Christ.
May 26 · 17 min
The Digital Habits That Are Hurting Your Prayer Life | A MasterClass on Prayer
How do we cultivate a healthy prayer life in a world full of phones, notifications, and constant distraction? In this masterclass, John Joseph shares practical ways to build rhythms of prayer, create intentional space with God, pray throughout the day, and resist the digital habits that compete for our attention. If we are not careful, technology will shape our minds, emotions, and priorities more than God’s Word does. But through prayer, Scripture, and intentional habits, we can be formed more into the image of Christ.
May 12 · 22 min
Finding Silence in a Noisy World: How Solitude with God Shapes Your Spiritual Life
Why does silence feel so difficult in today’s world? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball sits down with Mike Glenn to explore the spiritual discipline of solitude and why intentional time with God matters more than ever. Together, they discuss distraction, technology, noise, prayer, spiritual rhythms, and the example of Jesus withdrawing to commune with the Father. If you feel overwhelmed, spiritually distracted, or constantly busy, this conversation offers practical encouragement for slowing down, hearing from God, and building rhythms that shape your soul.
May 5 · 41 min
How Reading Scripture Transforms Your Life: The Power of God’s Word
What happens when you consistently read Scripture? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball and Evan Kunz explore 2 Timothy 3 and the truth that God’s Word is living, active, and able to transform your life. They unpack how Scripture, combined with the work of the Holy Spirit, shapes your desires, corrects your thinking, and equips you to live faithfully in a distracted world. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent or wondered if reading the Bible really makes a difference, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to engage God’s Word in a deeper way.
April 28 · 31 min
How to Pray with Purpose: Understanding the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6
What if prayer isn’t about getting God to respond, but about aligning your heart with Him? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball and Hunter Melton walk through the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 and uncover a deeper, more meaningful way to pray. From adoration and trust to provision, forgiveness, and spiritual warfare, this conversation challenges common misconceptions and invites you into a more personal, powerful relationship with God through prayer.
April 14 · 40 min
Formed Not Conformed: Understanding Genesis, AI, and the Pursuit of God’s Truth
What’s shaping you—God’s truth or the world’s counterfeits? In this episode, we launch the Formed Not Conformed MasterClass series with a deep dive into Genesis 3, unpacking the serpent’s deception, humanity’s hunger for godlike knowledge, and the modern parallels found in artificial intelligence. Together, we explore why knowledge without trust leads to emptiness, how AI can mirror the ancient temptation to replace God, and why spiritual formation through Scripture, prayer, confession, and dependence on Christ remains the only path to life and freedom.
March 31 · 37 min
Palm Sunday and Holy Week in Mark 11: Welcoming the True King
In this Holy Week episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball reflect on Mark chapter 11 and the significance of Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, walking through Palm Sunday and the days leading up to Good Friday. The conversation explores the historical and prophetic details surrounding the events, the mixed motives of the crowds, Jesus’s confrontations with religious leaders, and his unwavering commitment to fulfill God’s will. Listeners are invited to slow down in God’s Word, consider Jesus’s humility and sovereignty, and prepare their hearts for Easter by contemplating the weight, majesty, and mystery of the cross and resurrection.
March 24 · 38 min
Stand Firm in Grace: 1 Peter 5 on Humility, Leadership, and Hope
In this powerful conclusion to the Chosen Exile series, Brian Ball and Aaron Bryant dive into 1 Peter chapter 5, reflecting on Peter’s unique voice and his charge to Christian leaders. The conversation explores the call to humility and faithful stewardship, discussing how leadership in the church should be shaped by Christlike character rather than worldly accomplishments. The episode focuses on themes of suffering, humility as a status, and trusting God’s timing for exaltation, offering encouragement to cast anxieties on the Lord and live with hope. Throughout, Aaron Bryant shares practical wisdom from his pastoral experience, and both speakers emphasize the importance of biblical community, perseverance, and the comforting promise that God will restore and strengthen believers. Listeners are invited to apply these truths, take action in their daily walk, and anchor their hearts in God’s grace as the series closes and the church turns toward Holy Week.
March 17 · 28 min
Living with Urgency and Love: Lessons from 1 Peter 4 on Faithfulness
In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball is joined by longtime friend and pastor Mike Glenn to continue the "Chosen Exile" series with a deep dive into 1 Peter chapter 4. Together, they explore Peter’s call for believers to live with urgency, humility, and love as they follow Christ in a world that often feels foreign. The conversation touches on the importance of prayer as a foundation, the true meaning of hospitality, the role of spiritual gifts in serving others, and how suffering can shape and strengthen faith. Brian Ball and Mike Glenn share personal stories, practical wisdom, and encouragement for listeners to trust God through every season, embracing community and hope—even in the midst of trials.
March 10 · 51 min
1 Peter on Suffering and Hope: Why Christians Must Be Ready to Defend Their Faith
In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball and Brandon Abbott explore 1 Peter chapters 3 and 4, diving deep into the themes of humility, courage, and unwavering hope for believers living as “chosen exiles.” They discuss what it means to follow Christ with faithfulness, even in the face of suffering, while offering practical insights on building Christian community, raising faith-filled families, and preparing to give a gentle yet bold defense for the hope found in Jesus. The conversation is both theologically rich and down-to-earth, filled with stories from rural Tennessee, reflections on church life, and an honest look at how suffering shapes our witness and draws us closer to God. Whether you’re seeking encouragement in your own challenges or a clearer understanding of living out your faith, this episode is packed with wisdom, authenticity, and hope.
March 3 · 32 min
Living a Powerful Witness: Suffering and the Hope That Sets Us Apart
What does it look like to follow Jesus when life feels unfair, uncertain, or interrupted? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, we walk through 1 Peter 3 and explore how humility, compassion, and even blessing those who hurt us become a powerful witness to the world. From suffering and submission to everyday evangelism, this conversation reminds us that our greatest apologetic is Christ at work within us, a hope that cannot be shaken.
February 24 · 40 min
1 Peter and Marriage: Suffering, Submission, and the Witness of Our Relationships
What does 1 Peter really teach about marriage, suffering, and submission—and why does it matter for everyday life? In this episode, the conversation slows down to place Peter’s household instructions in their first-century Roman context, revealing how Scripture elevates dignity, calls husbands to understanding and honor, and forms marriages into a visible gospel witness. Rather than starting with modern assumptions, listeners are challenged to begin with the Word of God and see how Christ’s example of humble strength reshapes relationships, authority, and the way believers live before a watching world.
February 17 · 36 min
Finding Hope in Suffering: Lessons from 1 Peter and the Power of Submission
What do you do when life feels unfair, painful, or completely out of your control? In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball slow down in 1 Peter 2:18–25 to explore a hard but hope-filled truth: you can’t always control your circumstances, but you can follow Jesus’ example in them. From submission that isn’t weakness, to suffering that becomes a witness, this conversation points us to Christ, our Shepherd and Overseer, who suffered for us and shows us how to endure with faithfulness and hope.
February 10 · 35 min
Living Stones in 1 Peter: How Jesus the Cornerstone Builds a United Church Community
What if the church isn’t a place you go, but a people God is building—stone by stone? In this episode, the conversation centers on 1 Peter’s picture of believers as living stones being formed into a spiritual house with Jesus as the cornerstone. You’ll hear why unity doesn’t mean uniformity, how good traditions can quietly become distractions, and how Spirit-led community makes God’s presence visible to the world through love, obedience, and mercy.
February 3 · 40 min
Living Stones and Chosen Exiles: Building Community and Faith from 1 Peter
In this episode of Sermon Notes Podcast, Brian Ball sits down with Brandon Abbott to unpack 1 Peter and the stunning image of believers as “living stones.” Together, they explore how 1 Peter reveals Jesus as the cornerstone, how the church becomes a spiritual house marked by unity (not uniformity), and why our traditions can’t replace true obedience and Spirit-led community. If you’ve ever wondered what it means to belong, to grow, and to live faithfully where God has placed you—this conversation will help you see it.
January 21 · 33 min
Discovering Our Identity and Security in Christ Through 1 Peter
In this episode of the Sermon Notes Podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball begin a new study through 1 Peter by tracing Peter’s opening praise and what it reveals about our identity and security in Christ. You’ll hear why the Christian life starts with worship, how God’s mercy gives us new birth into a living hope, and what it means to have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. The conversation also addresses how trials refine faith, why believers can rejoice even in suffering, and why the prophets and even angels longed to see the salvation we now experience in Jesus.
January 13 · 37 min
Living as Chosen Exiles: Beginning Our Journey Through First Peter
In this episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, Jay Strother and Brian Ball kick off a new series called "Chosen Exiles," diving into the book of 1 Peter and its message for believers living as God's people in a world that often feels unfamiliar or challenging. Together, they explore Peter's unique perspective, discussing his relatable ups-and-downs in faith, the importance of suffering in the Christian life, and what it means to be "chosen exiles"—people set apart by God but not fully at home in the present world. They unpack key theological concepts, such as divine sovereignty, hope rooted in Christ’s resurrection, and living in humble obedience, all while highlighting the practical relevance of Peter's words for the church today. Whether you're facing hardship or wrestling with your identity as a follower of Jesus, this episode sets the stage for a rich journey through First Peter, offering encouragement, insight, and a reminder of who you are in Christ