How did the serpent get into the Garden of Eden? It seems like a simple question—but the answer opens up much bigger questions about evil, suffering, and the spiritual world. In Part 1, Pastors Steve and Luke lay the groundwork by exploring what existed before creation: the Heavenly Host, the "sons of God" (Bene Elohim), and the unseen realm of divine beings. Drawing heavily from Michael Heiser's The Unseen Realm, they examine what Scripture says about the hierarchy of the spiritual world and why God created beings with free will—setting the stage for the serpent's appearance in Genesis 3.

People's Questions Answered

Anonymous: "How did the serpent get into the garden?" (Genesis 3) — Continued in Episode 8

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [01:00] How Did the Serpent Get Into the Garden? (Anonymous)

• [01:52] What Existed Before Creation? — The Heavenly Host

• [02:19] The Sons of God (Bene Elohim) — Job 38:4-7

• [05:44] How God and the Sons of God Relate — Psalm 82

• [07:02] Are These "Divine Beings" Polytheism? Clarifying the Hebrew

• [10:06] How Novel Is This Interpretation? On Michael Heiser

• [11:24] Humans as "Middle Creatures" — The Symmetry Between Heavenly and Earthly Sons of God

• [14:27]Free Will: The Key to the Serpent Question

• [15:47] Cliffhanger — Continued in Episode 8

Resources Mentioned

The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser — A deep dive into the spiritual world and divine beings as described in Scripture

Practicing Christian Doctrine by Beth Felker Jones — Includes the description of humans as "middle creatures" between the purely spiritual and purely physical The Liberating Image by J. Richard Middleton — On humans bearing the divine image as vocation

Key Scripture References

• Job 38:4-7
• Psalm 82:1
• Psalm 89
• Psalm 29
• Psalm 2
• Genesis 1 & 3
• Genesis 6
• Judges 10:6
• Colossians 1:16
• Jude
• 2 Peter

Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.

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Raising hands, kneeling, dancing like David—is expressive worship something all Christians should do? In this episode, Pastor Steve and Pastor Chuck explore what worship really means (hint: it's more than singing!), dig into Hebrew words for praise from the Psalms, and discuss the story of David dancing before the Lord while his wife Michal watched in disgust. If you've ever felt self-conscious about being expressive in worship, this episode offers both biblical grounding and practical encouragement.

People's Questions Answered

From Cindy: "Growing up in church, I didn't see physical outward signs of worship (for example, raising of hands or dancing like David). Am I missing out in my worship? What scriptural guidance can you suggest?"

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [00:56] Am I Missing Out in Worship? (Cindy's Question)

• [01:24] What Is Worship? — Romans 12:1-2

• [03:29] Worship in Spirit and Truth — John 4:23-24

• [06:46] Hebrew Words for Worship in the Psalms

• [10:50] David Dancing Before the Lord — 2 Samuel 6

• [14:08] What's Keeping You From Being More Expressive?

• [16:25] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Hebrew Words for Worship

• Halal — To brag, boast, celebrate, or "act clamorously foolish" (Psalm 150). This is where we get "Hallelujah."

• Barak — To kneel; to recognize one's position in relation to God (Psalm 95:6)

• Zamar — To sing praises (Psalm 7:17)

• Nephesh — Often translated "soul," but means the whole self— everything that I am (Psalm 103:1)

Key Scripture References

• Romans 12:1-2
• John 4:23-24
• Hebrews 12:28
• Psalm 103:1
• Psalm 150
• Psalm 95:6
• Psalm 134:2
• Psalm 143:6
• Psalm 7:17
• 2 Samuel 6:14-22
• 1 Timothy 2:8

Connect With Us

Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.

You know Jesus has forgiven you—so why is it so hard to forgive yourself? In this episode, Pastor Steve and Jenny Elliott explore the roots of guilt and shame all the way back to the Garden of Eden, and offer practical tools for breaking free. They unpack the difference between conviction (from God) and condemnation (from the enemy), share four steps for overcoming shame, and remind us that Jesus literally "shamed shame" on the cross.

People's Questions AnsweredFrom Josh: "Once you are saved and you sin, what are some ways that can help you forgive yourself? Understanding that Jesus has forgiven you, but you can't or have a hard time forgiving yourself."

Episode Timestamps• [00:00] Introduction• [00:51] How Do You Forgive Yourself? (Josh's Question)• [01:16] Back to the Garden: Where Guilt and Shame Began• [03:51] Conviction vs. Condemnation• [06:14] Practical Steps for Overcoming Shame• [09:55] Seek Forgiveness from Others• [12:14] Jesus Shamed Shame — Hebrews 12:2• [13:29] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Four Steps for Overcoming Shame1. Name it and normalize it — Bring shame into the light (Ephesians 5:13). Be vulnerable with safe people in your life.2. Practice self-compassion — Ask yourself, "Would Jesus be speaking to me the same way I'm speaking to myself?"3. Seek forgiveness — If your shame is tied to something you did to someone else, go to that person and ask for forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24).4. Remember that Jesus shamed shame — On the cross, Jesus scorned shame once and for all (Hebrews 12:2). Shame has no power over you.

Resources Mentioned• The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson — Explores how shame affects our identity and how the gospel frees us from it

Key Scripture References

• Genesis 3 (the Fall)
• Romans 2:4 • Ephesians 5:13
• John 8 (woman caught in adultery) • Ephesians 1-2 (identity in Christ)
• Matthew 5:23-24
• Romans 12:18
• Hebrews 12:2

Connect With UsSubmit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text "podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

Episode 4

Your Questions About the Church

What is the church, really? Is it for believers only or for everyone? How is it different from a community organization? In this episode, Pastors Steve and Brian answer multiple listener questions about the nature of the church. They discuss the biblical definition of "church" (hint: it's not a building!), how to handle conflict and criticism, and give a brief history of how Christian denominations developed and when ordinary people first got access to the Bible.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [01:07] Is the Church for Believers or Unbelievers? (Greg's Question)

• [01:27] Defining "Church" — It's Not a Building

• [02:46] Ephesians 4 and Equipping the Saints

• [04:16] The Danger of "Believers Only" — Jesus Tore Down Walls

• [07:43] How Is the Church Different from a Community Organization? (Anonymous)

• [11:13] How Do You Handle Criticism and Conflict in the Church? (Anonymous)

• [14:10] When Did Denominations Develop & When Did People Get the Bible? (Josh's Question)

• [16:43] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Resources MentionedTurning Points: Decisive Moments in the History ofChristianity by Mark A. Noll — A bestselling introduction to church history organized around 14 key moments (4th Edition, Baker Academic)

Key Scripture References

Ephesians 4:11-13 • 1 Corinthians 14:23 • Matthew 18 • Ephesians 2 (the dividing wall)

People's Questions Answered

• From Greg: "Is the church in worship for the regenerate or the unregenerate?"
• Anonymous: "How can the local church attain its calling to be a spiritual community... rather than being merely a human community such as fraternal organizations?"
• Anonymous: "How do you handle criticism or conflict in the church body? Is this frequent in a church our size?"
• From Josh: "When did different denominations start developing? And when did people roughly start having access to the Bible?"

Connect With Us

Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.

Subscribe and leave a 5-star review!

When is saving for the future wise, and when does it become selfish? Is it okay to buy nice things for yourself? In this episode, Pastors Steve and Jeff tackle a thoughtful questionabout stewardship, exploring the tension between scarcity and greed. They discuss what the Bible says about enjoying God's blessings while also being generous, and why there's no simple "level" that makes you right with God—it's a matter of the heart and listening to the Holy Spirit.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [00:53] Why Money Is an Important Topic

• [02:36] The Question: Wise vs. Selfish Stewardship (Anonymous)

• [03:50] Two Extremes: Scarcity vs. Greed

• [05:43] 1 Timothy 6:17-19 — Enjoying and Sharing

• [07:16] Answering Part 1: How Do We Know If We're Being Wise?

• [11:06] Answering Part 2: Is There a "Level" That Displeases God?

• [12:23] 2 Corinthians 8-9 — The Generosity of Jesus

• [14:22] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Resources MentionedThe Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

Key Scripture References

• Matthew 6:25-27
• Proverbs 6(the ant)
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19 • 2 Corinthians 8-9

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People's Questions Answered

Anonymous: "When wepurchase anything that is beyond a necessity or save for retirement, how do we know if we are being wise or selfish stewards of the money God has entrusted to us? I'm wondering if there is a level of buying things for ourselves or saving for ourselves that would be displeasing to God."

Connect With Us

Submit your questions at https://cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text "podcast" to 217-546-4818.

Subscribe and leave a review!

If God doesn't change (Malachi 3:6), why don't Christians celebrate the feasts described in Leviticus 23? In this episode, Pastors Steve and Luke walk through all seven Old Testament feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Booths—and explain how Jesus fulfilled (or will fulfill) each one. Learn what "typology" means and discover why these ancient festivals point directly to Christ's life, death, resurrection, and return.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction

• [00:32] The Question: Why Don't Christians Celebrate the Feasts?

• [01:12] What Are the Feasts? (Leviticus 23)

• [03:16] Jesus Fulfills the Feasts — Typology Explained

• [04:49] How Each Feast Points to Christ

• [11:25] Why You Can't Celebrate These Feasts Biblically Today

• [13:34] Closing & How to Submit Questions

Resources Mentioned

• Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord by L. Michael Morales — A deep dive into Leviticus and the Day of Atonement

Key Scripture References

Leviticus 23 • Malachi 3:6 • Colossians 2:16-17 • 1 Corinthians 5:7 • 1 Corinthians 15:20 • Hebrews 9:11-12 • Matthew 24:31 • John 1:14 • Revelation 21:3 • Galatians 3 & 5

Connect With Us

Submit your questions at https://cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text "podcast" to 217-546-4818.

Welcome to the very firstepisode of The Midweek! In this inaugural episode, Pastors Steve and Lukeanswer questions from Amber, Michelle, and April. They share their favoriteresources for biblical study, then dive into one of the most perplexing passagesin 1 John: "the sin that leads to death." What does John mean? Is ita specific sin like murder? The unpardonable sin? Apostasy? Join us as weexplore five different scholarly interpretations and discover what thischallenging text means for believers today.

• [00:00]Introduction

• [00:43]Bible Study Resources & Recommendations (Amber's Question)

• [04:04]What Is "The Sin That Leads to Death"? (Michelle's Question)

• [08:55]Once Saved, Always Saved? (April's Question)

• [20:26] Closing & How to Submit Questions

• Best Commentaries — Rankings and reviews of biblical commentaries

• The Bible Project — Videos, podcasts,articles, and curriculum on Scripture

• Zondervan IllustratedBible Dictionary (available at the church's Resource Center)

• The Drama of Scripture (available at thechurch's Resource Center)

• Pocket Dictionary ofBiblical Studies

Have a question for a future episode? Submit it through thelink in the show notes!

Find us on Spotify and ApplePodcasts.

Episode TimestampsResources MentionedConnect With Us

In The Midweek, we seek to move beyond Sunday sermons into answering your questions from a Biblical perspective as we seek to live the way of Jesus from Monday to Sunday. In this Preview episode, Pastors Steve and Luke discuss what the podcast is about and how to submit questions for future The Midweek podcast episodes.