Live-Free

Gathering Information Recorded early January 2026, Lake Pointe Church, Dallas, TX Hosts: Carlos Erazo (moderator), Ps. Josh Howerton (preacher), Ps. Paul Cunningham (theology) Format: “Delivery Podcast 2026” episode, released the same Sunday Ps. Josh preached John 19 Scripture References John 19:28–30 Psalm 51 Exodus 12 Numbers 20 Genesis 2:1–3 Isaiah 53:5–6 Proverbs 17:15 Mark 10:45 Matthew 20:28 1 John 4:10–11 Colossians 2:13–15 1 Peter 2:24 1 Peter 3:18 1 Corinthians 15:22 Galatians 3:13 2 Corinthians 9:7 Romans 3:23–26 Introduction Week 1 of Lake Pointe’s year-long “Boot-Camp Training for Team Jesus.” Ps. Josh’s Sunday message centred on Jesus’ cry Τετέλεσται (“It is finished”) and launched a discussion of atonement, personal discipleship rhythms, and cultural issues (race, adoption, socialism). Key Points Τετέλεσται – “Paid in full / completed / won.” Financial: debt cancelled. Judicial: sentence served. Military: victory cry. Prophetic checklist: Jesus consciously fulfilled every OT promise (John 19:28). “I thirst” & the Smitten Rock: Moses struck the rock (Num 20); waters flowed. On the cross the “Rock” is struck; living water flows, hence His thirst. Hyssop theme (Ex 12; Lev 14; Ps 51): cleansing, Passover blood, leper purification—all converge in John 19:29. Creation & New-Creation link: Gen 2:1-3 “finished” → Sabbath; John 19 “finished” → Sabbath begins; Jesus ushers new creation. Six major atonement “facets”: Moral Influence: Christ changes us. Christus Victor: Christ conquers powers. Ransom/Redemption: Christ purchases us. Satisfaction: Christ upholds God’s honour. Recapitulation: Christ succeeds where Adam failed. Penal Substitution (central): Christ bears our penalty. Penal Substitution attacked = first domino in many modern apostasies; importance of Trinitarian clarity and biblical authority. Gospel = freedom from, not freedom to, sin. Love for Christ fuels obedience. Theological / Exegetical Points Same Greek root for “knowing all was now finished” and “It is finished.” Tersorium detail: likely a soldier’s latrine sponge pressed to Jesus’ lips, highlighting the depth of His humiliation. Septuagint echo: Gen 2:1 “finished” (sunetelesthē) → Sabbath rest; John 19:30 tetelestai → ultimate rest. Col 2:13-15 ties Christus Victor directly to penal substitution (record of debt nailed to cross). Early church and Spurgeon: pastors must confront false gospels (e.g., Spurgeon’s public refutation of Marxist “democratic socialism”). Interaction & Group Responses Light-hearted banter: New-Year resolutions, BC/AD quiz, tattoos (Paul’s Greek arm ink), Elon Musk retweeting Josh’s reparations tweet (2.3 M views). Candid race dialogue: Josh’s transracial adoption story; determination to reject victim mentality. Giveaway prompt: “Do New-Year resolutions work? – comment on YouTube.” Listener testimony: Brian (Indiana) flew in after podcast sparked Bible engagement. Practical Applications Preach the gospel to yourself daily to resist drift toward “faith + works.” Foster rhythms: daily Bible reading (new Lake Pointe app), Sunday sermon, Live Free podcast, discipleship groups. Engage cultural narratives: Reject collectivist visions that trade God-given individual dignity for state power. Use biblical wisdom (consider incentives & trade-offs) when evaluating policies (e.g., reparations, socialism). Parents: speak frankly about race; fight victim-mindsets with gospel identity. Personal holiness flows from love received: “If you love Me, you will obey.” Prayer / Intercession Items Deeper revelation of Christ’s finished work in every member. Protection against false gospels infiltrating pulpits. Night of Prayer & Worship (21 Jan, 7 – 8:30 pm CST): healings, breakthrough, “one more” salvation. Brian and other young men newly opening the Word. Unity and wisdom amid cultural tensions (race, politics, economics). Next Meeting / Future Arrangements Comment on YouTube to enter hat giveaway; topic: effectiveness of resolutions. Download Lake Pointe app (text “APP” to 20411) to follow the 2026 discipleship journey. Night of Prayer & Worship: 21 Jan (on-site & online). Notes Powered by Bible Note https://biblenote.ai/

Progressivism vs. Historic Christianity Discerning true progress from cultural decay. Scripture References Matthew 25 Matthew 5–7 Matthew 19:4–6 Genesis 3 Deuteronomy Nehemiah Romans 13 1 Thessalonians 3:10 (allusion) Galatians 2 Corinthians 11:14 Introduction A viral Daily Show clip by author/comedian John Fugelsang claims Jesus was “inherently progressive.” Because similar arguments intensify around election seasons, the speaker equips believers to test such claims against Scripture—following the Berean model of examining everything and holding fast to what is good. ...

State-of-the-Pod Celebration Opening Moments Laughter, snorts, and a playful “Let’s kick this pig” opened episode 56—a surprise year-end bonus recorded minutes after Pastor Josh stepped off the Christmas-service stage at Lake Pointe. The mood: breathless joy and holy awe at what God has done in just one year. Testimonies Pastor Josh Fresh from preaching, he stared at “thousands of people walking through the halls” and kept repeating the numbers with disbelief—“7.5 million… 867 million views… that is stupid!” Philosophy: the podcast is “air-war discipleship.” Sunday sermons handle the ground war; the pod tackles cultural issues so “the enemy can’t take back the ground.” Scripture referenced: Acts 17 (the Areopagus) and 2 Corinthians 10:5 (“we destroy arguments and take every thought captive”). Heart cry: “We are not in the view-count business; we are in the discipleship business.” Dreaming forward: hopes Live Free will become “the staging grounds for the resurgence of the church in our nation.” Carlos Erazo Sprinted from the service to the mic in one minute—team-timed. Rolled out the stats: 7.5 million plays, 3.5 million on YouTube alone 481 K new YouTube subscribers (-375 % jump) 1.4 M new Facebook followers, 600 K on IG, 258 K on TikTok 867 million total short-form views 4 million audio streams; top-4 in Apple’s Religion & Spirituality 182 countries reached; 400 % rise in Church-Online attendance Story: Molly from Chicago found the pod, “reignited my faith,” flew to Lake Pointe, and was baptized. Passion: helping “many men find their band of brothers” through life groups. Holy-Spirit Highlights Jaw-dropping reach—proof that every metric is “a real person with a real hunger for a real God.” Organic, unprompted discipleship groups springing up in coffee shops at 7 a.m. Clear sense that social media is today’s Areopagus where the gospel must sound. Repeated gratitude: “Praise the Lord… this is insane… completely stunned.” Prayer Points & Next Steps Ask the Lord to turn every view into true life-change and brotherhood. Gather listener feedback on YouTube: “Why is it working? What should we double down on?” Encourage listeners to text APP to 20411 for the redesigned Lake Pointe app—sermon, podcast, one-chapter-a-day plan, and discipleship guide all in one place. Invitation: email podcast@lakepointe.church or text CONNECT to 20411 to serve, share stories, or help the movement grow. Closing Blessing Pastor Josh, hurrying to preach his seventh Christmas service, clasped hands with Carlos and said, “Live free, brother.” ...

Scripture References Matthew 10:15 Matthew 25 Romans 2 Luke 12 Revelation 20 Revelation 14 Introduction The speaker responds to Kirk Cameron’s recent podcast segment in which Cameron and his son James advocate annihilationism (a view that the lost are ultimately destroyed rather than eternally tormented). Emphasizing pastoral care over critique, the preacher sets a respectful tone toward fellow believers while underscoring the seriousness of doctrine about hell—an especially challenging topic during the Christmas season. ...

Gathering Information Setting: Podcast studio, Lakepointe Church, Dallas, Texas Hosts/Leaders: Carlos Erazo (host), Pastor Josh Howerton, Pastor Paul Cunningham Other Voices: Occasional studio staff & listener comments Scripture References Luke 2:8-14 2 Corinthians 6:10 Philippians 4:4 Psalm 32:3 Psalm 51:12 Habakkuk 3:17-19 Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 Romans 8:18 Hebrews 1:9 Hebrews 12:2 Luke 10:21 Jeremiah 10:2-4 Genesis 1–3 Luke 15 Introduction The conversation tackles two big themes: Biblical joy – how it differs from mere happiness and why Scripture actually commands it. Christmas myths – Is 25 December pagan? What about Christmas trees and Santa Claus? Key Points Joy vs. Happiness ...

Gathering Information Venue: Lake Pointe Church (recorded at Lake Pointe Campus, Rockwall, TX) Hosts / Leaders: Carlos Erazo, Ps. Josh Howerton, Ps. Paul Cunningham Scripture References Genesis 3 Genesis 15 Exodus 12 Malachi 4:2, 5-6 Mark 5:25-34 Luke 2:8-14 John 5:39-40 John 14:6 John 16:13 Deuteronomy 29:29 2 Peter 3:15-16 Jude 14-15 1 Timothy 1:3-7 2 Timothy 1:7 Introduction Christmas week recap (33 000+ in-person), viral “Home Alone is a Christian movie” thread, upcoming candle-light services, hat giveaway, and community/Rooted plug. Main study blocks: ...

Gathering Information Venue: Lake Pointe Church, Dallas TX Hosts / Leaders: Carlos Erazo (host) & Pastor Josh Howerton (primary teacher) Scripture References 2 Timothy Acts 16 1 Timothy 4:12 1 Timothy 5:23 2 Corinthians Philippians Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians Philemon Proverbs 4:7 Proverbs 7:1–4 Matthew 6:9–13 2 Timothy 1:7 Romans 16:18 Full Texts Quoted or Referred 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 5:23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your and your frequent ailments. 2 Timothy 1:7 ...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Proverbs 7:1-4 My son, keep my words ... keep my teachings as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call insight your intimate friend. Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Romans 16:18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. Introduction The episode centres on two themes: ...

Introduction The conversation centers on the unseen realm—angels, demons, territorial spirits, and modern phenomena often labeled “aliens” or “UFOs.” Scripture is used to frame a biblical worldview in which spiritual warfare is real, Christ is victorious, and believers are called to live alert, hope-filled lives. ...

Introduction The conversation centres on Paul’s trial before Felix (Acts 24) and three linked topics flowing from that passage: Procrastination in spiritual obedience (Felix’s tragic delay) “Does the Bible condone slavery?” - a historical–exegetical survey The widening gender divide in modern politics, feminism and “toxic empathy” ...

Main Topics Hebrews 12:1-2 – running our race, Jesus’ present ministry, and “passing the baton” to the young The Great Awakening’s role in America’s birth; historic revivals led by 20-somethings A fresh “rapture theory”: Paul’s “harpazō” experience (2 Cor 12) as template for 1 Th 4 Who wrote Hebrews? – strongest cases for Apollos vs. Paul; why Priscilla is unlikely Jesus now: bodily enthroned, advocating as our defense attorney (1 Jn 2:1-2) Calling the under-30 crowd: kill distraction, capture a God-sized vision, find mentors ...