The Follower Podcast

Into the deep: Introduction

In this episode, I share a little bit of my own journey over the last few months and speak about a new series on The Follower Podcast called Into the Deep.
The C.S Lewis quote on pain being God's megaphone can be found in his book, The problem of pain.  
The scripture passage I use is Luke 5:1-8
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A conversation with Andy Squyres

I first came across Andy through his music, most recently I've been deeply encouraged by his writing. After one particularly poignant post, I reached out to him and asked if he would join me for a conversation on the podcast. He agreed, and this is what came out. 
Who is Andy? In his own words...
"I am a man in my late forties. I have been married to my wife for 27 years. All my children are beautiful and smart. I have one grandchild and he is the joy of my life. I work as a pastor in a small church which I really love. I also write and sing songs and travel around occasionally to do that in front of people. When I enter my fifties my plan is to start taking art classes because I want to devote the last quarter of my life (75-100) to be a great visual artist working mostly in abstraction. I have a deep love for Christ and for His Church."
If this conversation helps you as it helped me you can find more from Andy on his website @andysquyres.com

Inquire: Why Jesus is more intelligent than we could imagine, and why we should pay attention.

In this episode, I speak about what it means to inquire of the Lord. I discuss the two lies of our assumed competence and Jesus' assumed ignorance. And, I call us to the kind of repentance that hanging on every word from the mouth of god in the midst of a world that is trusting in everything else. 
I also answer a question from a freind of the show around Christ-centered preaching and making room to gaze at the beauty of God in our gatherings. 
As always, it's fully loaded. I hope it helps you follow Jesus well.
The article I quote from Dallas Willard can be found here...
https://dwillard.org/articles/who-is-your-teacher
 
 

Gaze: The matchless beauty of Jesus and its power to change our lives

In this episode, I ask the critical question; "Is Jesus beautiful to you?" Not just true, or good, not the right thing to do... Is he beautiful? From here, I discuss the importance of moving away from a spirituality of fleeting glances to focussed gazing on the beauty of God. 
Resources referenced in the podcast can be found here:
Beauty will save the world. 
The weight of glory.

Dwell: Why God is closer than you think, and how to let him find you

In this episode, we explore another thought from Psalm 27:4. "That I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life."
I draw on wisdom from John Mark Comer's "Ruthless Elimination of Hurry", as we look at what it means to truly dwell with God and live as mini temples carrying the Spirit into a chaotically busy culture.
As always please subscribe, share and leave a review of this episode. It helps us get these ideas into the ears of those who need to hear them. 
Also, I would love to hear your questions around following Jesus in the world today and, where I am able, to offer some thoughts that might help you do just that. Please head over to www.mattlewis.co.za and send your questions through, or email askus@wearefollower.com
 

Seek: The necessary hiddenness of God, and the invitation to draw near.

In this episode, we explore a second thought from Psalm 27:4. "One thing I desire, that will I seek after." 
I draw on some thoughts from C.S Lewis and Dallas Willard on the necessary hiddenness of God and discuss James K.A Smith's ideas on finding a Model and a method in our journey of seeking God. 
As always please subscribe, share and leave a review of this episode. It helps us get these ideas into the ears of those who need to hear them. 
Also, I would love to hear your questions around following Jesus in the world today and, where I am able, to offer some thoughts that might help you do just that. Please head over to www.mattlewis.co.za and send your questions through. 

One Thing: Biblical anthropology and the engine of desire.

In this episode, I reflect on the first line of Psalm 27:4.
"One thing I have desired".
For me, the key issues around this involve understanding who we are and how we work and allowing The Spirit to lead us to deep repentance around what we actually want.
Don't forget to send us your questions at ASK FOLLOWER ANYTHING 
I would love to hear what's on your mind.
You can look at the books I referenced in the podcast here:
You are What You Love
Renovation of the heart
The Weight of Glory
The Confessions of St Augustine
 

Return: The writing is on the wall

The first episode in a series called Return. In this series, I'll be sharing from the heart about what God has been stirring in me over the past season. This episode in particular focuses on the invitation that is available to us in the turmoil of what 2020 and 2021 have been. In simple terms, it is a call to repentance. May God meet you as you listen. 
Future episodes will have a segment of the podcast dedicated to answering your questions. Please send us any questions you may have by following the link at www.mattlewis.co.za
 

MBD 10: REVIVE

In the session I speak with my friend Hannah as we reflect on what, for us, was the most significant lesson of our time on mission. That Jesus is everything. That as we pursue him, he is faithful with everything else. 
 
To subscribe to the full video version of this episode you can follow this link.

MBD 9: ALL IN

In this session I speak with my friend Lara about her decision to become a missionary in Germany, about the cost of that calling, and about why she chose it anyway. We also reflect on our time in Cambodia and all that we learned from that phenomenal community. 
 
To subscribe to the full video sessions you can follow this link.