I saw it happening months ago.  James Talarico, a young, articulate, reasonable sounding politician, began making waves in the Democratic party.  He was a rising star, serving in the state House of Representatives and garnering the praise of top Democratic leaders including former President Barack Obama. 

But he wasn’t just turning politicians’ heads.  I saw reasonable, God-fearing Christians begin to take notice of his even-keel cadence and pointed Christian rhetoric.  Unlike many of his liberal Democratic peers, he did not keep his faith in the background from his politics.  Instead Talarico chose to push his faith to the foreground of his political messaging.

He began his campaign for the U.S. Senate by declaring it was time to start “flipping tables” like Jesus.  He began inserting Biblical motifs and scriptural references into his speeches, interviews, and political rallies.  He spoke often of his Christian faith, his grandfather that was a preacher, his seminary education, and his aspiration to be a pastor.

These spiritual talking points caught the attention and fandom of Christian audiences.  I have watched several of my own Christian peers repost his social media content and advocate for his Senate candidacy.  This kind of behavior is historically quite common during election seasons, as Christians often advocate for political figures who represent their biblical convictions.  However, James Talarico is different than his Christian political predecessors.  How so?  Talarico’s version of Christianity is incongruent with biblical orthodoxy. 

Yes, he appeals for Texans to “love God and love their neighbors.”  I can gladly get behind that.  However, he also presents a “biblical” case for abortion.  He awkwardly explained this on The Joe Rogan Show when he said the angel “asked” Mary for her consent before she carried the Savior of the world.  The problem is that did not happen in Luke chapter 1.  The angel informed her, but he did not ask her for her permission.  Further, Mary did not grant God permission, but rather she humbly agreed to submit to the will of God even though it would be costly.  That faith is why we still celebrate her today!

Even if one tried to read consent into that passage, it remains an impossibility to use those scriptures as a proof-text for modern abortion rights.  The irony is Luke chapter 1 serves as one of the greatest pro-life texts in the Scriptures.  Mary goes on to visit her relative Elizabeth who is also pregnant with John the Baptist.  Unborn John was not described just as a “clump of cells” in the Bible, but instead “when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” (Luke 1:41).  As an unborn baby, John the Baptist, was the first to worship the unborn Savior.  John the Baptist was preparing the way for Jesus even from the womb!

Talarico has also declared that God is non-binary even though the Bible tells us God is spirit (John 4:24), and we pray to Him as God the Father (Matt 6:9), through the mediation of God the Son (1 John 2:1).  Talarico has claimed there are six genders, even though Jesus said there are only two (Matt 19:4). Talarico has said same-sex marriage is biblical, even though Jesus said marriage is between a man and woman (Matt 19:5).  Talarico preached from the Gospel of Thomas, even though that book was rejected from the biblical canon.  Talarico has called his own whiteness and masculinity a “virus,” even though the Bible says we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

James Talarico’s religious rhetoric must not be applauded by Christians, it should be corrected.  Unfortunately, many Christians are so biblically illiterate that they do not know what is true and what is false when they hear spiritual communication.  This leaves many believers vulnerable and persuadable through false teachers.  Paul warned, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). 

Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44), and Satan still speaks lies to Christians every single day.  One way he does this is by twisting the scriptures to say things it actually does not say.  Satan twisted God’s Word when he tempted Eve in the garden (Genesis 3). Satan twisted God’s Word in the Judean desert when he tempted Jesus to sin against the Father (Matthew 4).  And Satan is still twisting God’s Word through people who Jesus warned would “come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15).

Paul told the church to watch out for false teachers.  He wrote, “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (2 Cor 11:14-15).  Paul said “watch out” because people will look like sheep, act like sheep, and talk like sheep, but they will lead the flock astray.

I want to encourage the church with a few practical points as we listen to religious rhetoric this political season from James Talarico, as well as other candidates on both sides of the aisle:

1. The Bible is the standard.  Do not be swayed by a speaker’s style, focus on their substance.  Is the truth they are proclaiming actual biblical truth?  Or does it just sound biblical due to its theological underpinning?
2. Don’t support “Christian leaders” who teach false doctrine.  The Bible does not tell you to “follow them”…it tells you to run from them! (1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Thess 3:6, 2 Timothy 3:5, 2 John 10)
3. Don’t be scared to speak up.  Some will read this and think I’ve lost my mind.  Why would I call out a well-known leader by name because of his false teaching?  I will because Paul did the exact same thing with Demas (2 Timothy 4:10,) Phygelus and Hermogenes (2 Tim 1:15), Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:19-20), and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17). Talarico is not just a politician. He has publicly presented himself as a church-leader, so church leaders must publicly hold him doctrinally accountable.
4. Remember, policy is a part of our character too.  Some will say, “but he’s a nice and reasonable guy.”  Perhaps he is, and I genuinely hope he is.  But character is not only revealed through our personalities.  It is also revealed through our convictions.  Championing convictions that are in clear and direct contradiction to God’s Word says a lot about someone’s character.

I have had these conversations with people individually.  It usually ends with this rebuttal: “But what about rebuking all the bad behavior of other ‘Christian’ politicians?”  That’s a fair question, and I want to be clear.  I am unhappy with all morally egregious behavior from political leaders on the right or the left (and both sides have had their fair share).  And sometimes I do indeed publicly speak to those issues.  However, I don’t all the time for two primary reasons:

First, if I called out every morally bankrupt thing that happens in the political arena, that would become my new full-time job.  It would consume every day of my life, probably make me an unhappy and cynical person, and it would not bear much, if any, fruit in this world.  I firmly believe we are all sinful people who are led by sinful leaders.  And I believe we will all be severely disappointed in our leaders until Jesus Christ returns to reign as the true and righteous King.

Secondly, while bad behavior is always disappointing, bad doctrine is far more devastating.  False teaching literally leads people to hell.  And Pastors are called to protect their flocks by guarding their doctrine closely: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16). 

I pray every Christian Pastor and leader remembers the farewell charge that Paul gave the Ephesians elders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”  I do believe James Talarico is speaking twisted things. I just pray the bride of Christ will have enough spiritual discernment to not listen.

Jonathan Spencer

Senior Pastor, Austin Baptist Church

The Men’s Steak Dinner is coming up on Thursday April 16^th from 6-8pm.  I am excited to see our church take this next step in building a vibrant men’s ministry at ABC.  I believe it is imperative for men in our church to build community, accountability, and discipleship with one another.  Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

We will all be sharpened on April 16^th as former Secret Service Agent, Darin Kinder, shares his story and biblically challenges our men.  Darin served on the ground in NYC on September 11, 2001.  Like so many other heroes that day, he chose to run to the disaster rather than from it.  He wrote a book telling his story called, “Bury Me In a Dirty Suit,” and he will challenge men to not run from the fights in their lives but instead remain faithful in the battle.

This event is designed to help disciple our men but also serve as an outreach to our community. I encourage you to purchase a ticket for yourself and another man outside of our church.  We will be serving 16oz Ribeyes and your event ticket can be purchased here: https://austinbaptistchurch.com/event/mens-steak-dinner?d=2026-04-16

Note we will have a lot going on at the church in the next few weeks.  We will begin new carpet installations during Spring Break, and it will take us two weeks to overhaul the lobby, Great Hall, and the Worship Center.  Paragon 360 will also begin installations during that time to set up our new cameras and broadcast equipment purchased through your continued generosity to Light the Way.  We are inching closer to the end of our stated goals.  We need just a little over $300k to complete all objectives!

Thank you for your faithfulness, and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

I find it interesting as I write this on March 3, 2026, it happens to be the Jewish holiday of Purim.  Purim is a joyous, Jewish festival celebrating the ending of an evil Persian plot to annihilate the Jews nearly five centuries before the first coming of Jesus Christ.  This ancient genocidal plot was foiled through God’s sovereign protection, as He worked miraculously through the help of Queen Esther (read the book of Esther for the full story).

Here we are nearly 2,500 years later and Israel still has enemies in Persia (modern day Iran).  And once again, evil and repressive leadership in that nation has communicated their genocidal desire to annihilate Israel (and America).  This desire has been well documented for decades since the Ayatollah took power in that historic land.  However, with the recent elimination of Ayatollah Khomeini, the nation of Iran and the Middle Eastern region as a whole are at consequential moment. 

On this holiday of Purim, I am praying for God once again to protect Israel.  But I am also praying for God to liberate the Iranian people and to open a wide door for Gospel advancement.  After a more recent revolution in the nation of Egypt, our ministry partner, TC Egypt, has seen over 4,000 people come to know Jesus Christ these past 15 years.  May God do a work like this once again now in the nation of Iran!

I encourage you to join me in prayer for the peace and security of Israel (Gen 12:2, Ps 122:6).  But may we not forget to pray for the safety and salvation of the Iranian people. “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

I encourage you in a moment like this to be prayerful and not fearful.  Read your Bibles, not just the news.  Spend more time interceding than speculating.  Are we in the last days?  Yes, because God has already poured out His Spirit on us (Acts 2:17).  Is Jesus about to return?  No one knows (Matthew 24:36).  We are simply called to be ready (Matthew 24:44) and be found faithful doing what He told us to do (Matthew 28:18-20).  May God protect our troops, guide our governing leaders, and may He be glorified through this season of turmoil.

NOTE: Some of you know I was scheduled to lead a group to Egypt this week. I was going to introduce church members to our ministry partner, TC Egypt, and I was going to train a couple hundred Middle Eastern pastors.  We were planning to then embark on a special Bible tour throughout that incredible nation.  Unfortunately, we had to cancel the trip due to safety concerns.  The U.S. State Department issued a warning for Americans to evacuate 14 Middle Eastern nations, including Egypt.  While I am disappointed, I do believe we made the wisest decision given the region’s current volatility.  I do look forward to leading more groups back to the Middle East in the days to come to see Scripture come alive and experience the remarkable things God is doing.  Bring a friend this Sunday, and I look forward to unpacking Genesis chapter three with you.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Genesis 2:18 says, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him’.”  Everything God created was good, however man’s initial experience in that creation was not good.  God saw it was not good for man to be alone, so he made a helper fit for him. 

This Sunday we are pressing on to week two of our mini-series on marriage.  As part of our Foundations series, we are gaining a foundational understanding of the home.  Last week, we saw that marriage is God’s idea.  We learned what a marriage is according to God’s Word, and this week we will learn how a marriage should function.  We are going to study the topic of husbands and wives, and I pray marriages will be strengthened as we embrace God’s design for the home.

I am very aware that the topic of marriage is a sensitive one.  Some in our church have painfully walked through divorce.  Others were raised in broken homes.  Some want to be married, but God has not opened that door yet.  And many are walking through painful seasons in their marriages right now.  I want to encourage you to not run from these discomforts, but instead lean into God’s Word for direction. “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).  God Word is good, and marriage becomes good when we joyfully submit our homes under it.

If marriage is a tough topic for you, I want to encourage you with this: you are not alone.  Lean into God’s Word and lean into the church.  If you need counseling, we host on-site counseling at our church through partnership with a counseling provider (you can book an appointment online).  If you need encouragement or prayer support, please speak to a minister or your BFG leaders.  God still does miracles, and He can miraculously move in your heart and your home today.  Invite a friend and I look forward to seeing you at 8:45am or 11:15am this Sunday.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25).  For the next two weeks, we are going to study the foundation of marriage in Genesis chapter two.  God made us male and female, and marriage was His idea.  Marriage is not a man-made institution, rather it is a God-given gift. 

Genesis provides Biblical and moral clarity on God’s perfect design for the home.  This is important because the home is under attack in our culture.  Divorce is prevalent, sexual sin and gender confusion are rampant, and countless Americans struggle to experience healthy home lives.  But Genesis chapter two reminds us that marriage is a God-given blessing, and there is joy to be found when you build your home God’s way.

I encourage you to prioritize these next two weeks and join us for worship at 8:45am or 11:15am.  Whether you are married, want to be married, or know people who are married, these two weeks are for you.  I encourage you to invite a friend, and let’s commit to build our homes together on the foundation of God’s Word.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).  Jesus explained that farmers have to make a decision about their seed.  They can hold on to their seed and preserve it, but their seed will not bear any fruit.  But if they choose to plant their seed into the ground, in due time that released seed will bring a harvest of fruit.

God has given our church financial seeds to steward.  Light the Way has reminded us of the impact we can make through planting those seeds into Gospel fields.  As part of the LTW initiative, ABC set a goal to “expand our mission.”  One way we are doing this is through partnership with NAMB’s church planting movement that is happening across southern California. Through your generosity, we are funding a church residency program that provides pastoral training and seminary education for aspiring church planters.  Additionally, we have selected one church planter, Pastor Derek Berry, to continue to support through prayer, giving, and sending.

Pastor Berry sent me an update last week about his new church (see his letter enclosed in this week’s addition of the Bridge).  I was so thrilled to see Derek report that his new church just baptized four brand new believers of Jesus Christ!  That is a picture of the fruit of the harvest that we seek.  Thank you for casting financial seed for the sake of the Gospel.  We are just a little over $300k away from being fully funded to complete all of our LTW goals.  I encourage you to continue in your faithfulness through our general fund, “The Great Commission Fund,” but also consider giving above and beyond to help us Light the Way forward together. When you give to the church, you are also giving through the church.

Who can you invite to join us for worship this week?  You can be a part of kingdom work right here and right now at ABC simply by inviting your neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and friends.  Remember, we are called to cast the seed, but it is God who makes it grow (1 Cor 3:6-7).  I’ll see you Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  

Christians are not called to live their lives in isolation.  Because we were made in the image of a relational God, God has also made us for relationships.  We were created to have a relationship with Him, and we were created to have relationships with each other.  This is why the church is described in the New Testament as a “body” with many parts.  We are called to connection with each other, while we are mutually connected to the head of the body, Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to get connected at ABC.  The primary catalyst for connection is our Bible Fellowship Groups that meet at 10am.  This is where people come together to study God’s word, pray, and encourage one another.  Friendships are formed in these classes that spill over to everyday life.  Have you found a group to connect with?  If not, we can help you find one this Sunday at 10am.

I also encourage parents with teenagers to sign up their students for Connection Weekend on February 20-22^nd.  This weekend is designed to facilitate connections for your 6^th to 12^th grader.  These students will connect with God and grow in their relationship with Him through worship, prayer, Bible study, and service.  But they will also connect with each other and build meaningful relationships within their own peer groups.

I want to challenge you with this reminder: you cannot connect if you do not show up.  Connection requires effort, intentionality, and yes, getting over the initial awkwardness that comes with developing new relationships.  But I also want to encourage you with this: that effort is worth it.  God wants you to be known, and there is joy that comes through living in real Christian community.  Don’t neglect the gathering this weekend.  Even better, invite someone to come with you.  I look forward to connecting with you at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

I hope you stayed warm and safe during this recent winter storm.  I’m grateful the power outages were minimal around our city, and I am thankful we were still able to meet remotely last Sunday.  I do want to thank our Director of Media Ministries, Stephen Vaughn, for making it possible.  Stephen put many unseen hours into recording, editing, and producing those online worship services.  Because of his effort, we were able to worship together from our living rooms on an icy weekend.

Weekends like last Sunday remind us of the power of media ministries.  Technological resources provide the necessary tools to extend the message of Jesus Christ beyond our church walls.  They help us connect with church members who are unable to gather, and they help us connect with people who have yet to walk through our church doors.  I’m excited we are about to upgrade these critical resources through your continued generosity to Light the Way.

In the next few months, our media partner, Paragon 360, will be installing brand new cameras, broadcasting systems, and worship center video screens.  These resources will provided necessary updates to 15+ year old equipment, but even more importantly they will give us upgraded tools to connect with people beyond our church doors.  After this Phase 1 of media upgrades is installed, we will press on to Phase 2 which includes new lighting and technological security upgrades to our campus.

Thank you for your continued partnership in this effort.  Through Light the Way, we have now eliminated our debt, and we will continue to expand our mission, and extend the message of Jesus Christ in the days to come.  We are approximately $400k from fully funding all Light the Way objectives.  So I encourage you to continue to give your tithes and offerings to the general fund, The Great Commission Fund, and consider giving above and beyond to Light the Way as God leads you.  Together, we will light the way forward at ABC for years to come.

Invite a friend to come experience ABC this weekend!  One simple invitation has the potential to change a life.  I look forward to seeing you this Sunday back on campus at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Join us this Sunday for an incredible time of celebration.  We will give God the glory for what He has done on this special “I Love My Church Sunday.”  We will look back to ABC’s history and reflect on God’s goodness and grace.  We will look forward to ABC’s bright future and celebrate the door of opportunity that God has opened through our debt retirement.

We will have some special guests including my predecessor, Pastor Gary Dyer.  I look forward to bringing him on stage to hear reflections from his time in leadership at ABC.  We will also have a special ceremonial moment at the conclusion of our service where we will celebrate together.  Immediately following worship, we will have a church-wide luncheon offered across our campus.  Please join us for a delicious fajita lunch and enjoy fellowshipping together as a multi-generational church family (buy $10 lunch tickets HERE).

Remember our special schedule for this weekend only: 9am BFGs, one combined worship service at 10:30am, and the church wide lunch at 11:45am.  This is a great opportunity to invite a guest to come and experience the life of our church.  The invitation is simple: “I love my church, and I think you will too.”

P.S. Don’t forget Dr. Matt Gillum will begin his eight-week sabbatical on Monday January 19^th.  Join me in celebrating Matt’s 14 years of service at ABC and pray for him as he takes this time to rest and be spiritually renewed by the Lord.  I am confident Matt will return mid-March with a renewed passion and excitement to serve you and the Lord for years to come.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer

Happy New Year!  With every new year comes new beginnings.  I encourage you to seize the moment and establish new and healthy rhythms for your life.  Commit to worship with us every Sunday.  Prioritize the sabbath and gathering with the saints.  Commit to a Bible Fellowship Group.  Grow in community this year with like-minded believers.  And as Pastor Nathan challenged us last Sunday, commit to reading the Bible.  Be transformed this year by reading and applying the truth of God’s Word.

Since it is a time for new beginnings, I think it is only appropriate for us to return to the book of beginnings, the book Genesis.  I will kick off a new sermon series this weekend titled, “Foundations,” and we will dive into chapters one through three for the next few months.  These three chapters are foundational to our understanding as Christians.  These chapters explain the foundation of the world, the foundation of man, the foundation of man’s sin, and the brokenness of our world.  The book gives us a foundational understanding of marriage, sex, work, and biblical masculinity and femininity.  This study will take us back to the basics and propel us forward with biblical clarity as we pursue God’s purpose for our lives.

I encourage you to invite a friend this Sunday.  Every church member in the world wants his or her church to reach more people.  But many church members forget they are the primary catalyst for church growth.  God has given every Christian a sphere of influence and has called us into his mission.  Invite the people around you to come and worship Christ this weekend. 

P.S. Save the date for “I Love My Church Sunday” on January 18^th.  We will give God glory and celebrate the beginning of our first debt-free year since we opened our doors here in Four Points.  We are also inviting special guests including my predecessor, Pastor Gary Dyer, to come and worship with us.  BFGs will be at 9am, we will have one combined worship service at 10:30am, and we will have a church wide luncheon at 11:45am ($10 fajita lunch tickets).

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 8:45am or 11:15am.

Onward and Upward,

Dr. Jonathan Spencer