The gospel is a story of transformation.

Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly reminds His people of who they once were compared to who they have now become because of His grace. Once dead... but now alive. Once slaves... but now free. Once far away... but now brought near. Once in darkness... but now in the Light in the Lord.

In this episode of Sermons on the Side, Richard and Brad explore one of the Bible's most beautiful recurring themes: the "once... but now" passages that reveal the transforming power of Christ. Walking through passages like Ephesians 2, Romans 6 and 7, Galatians 4, and Ephesians 5, they unpack how our identity has fundamentally changed - not because of our effort, but because of God's redeeming work.

The conversation culminates in the powerful imagery of Ezekiel 36, where God promises to restore what was once desolate until people can only marvel at what He has done. It's a fitting picture of every believer's testimony.

No matter your past, your failures, or your present struggles, the gospel declares that God is still in the business of writing "once... but now" stories.

Scripture Referenced:

• Ephesians 2:19
• Romans 6:13
• Romans 6:17-18
• Romans 7:5-6
• Galatians 4:7
• Ephesians 5:8
• Ezekiel 36:33-35

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Sometimes God leads us down roads we've never traveled before. Other times, He takes us back down roads we know by heart.

In this episode, Richard reflects on a recent trip to Lynchburg, Virginia - a journey that unexpectedly began with a detour through Birmingham, Alabama. While the route from Columbus to Lynchburg has become familiar over the last thirteen years, the road from Birmingham to Lynchburg was one he hadn't traveled in a very long time.

As the miles passed, so did memories.

The familiar highways became a backdrop for reflecting on a pivotal season of life - one filled with both incredible highs and painful lows. Along the way, Richard found himself considering just how much God has done: in his relationship with the Lord, in his relationship with his children, and in the countless ways God's faithfulness has been evident through the years. Sometimes God intentionally brings us back to places we've been before - not to relive the past, but to help us see how far He has brought us.

Maybe there's a road (our route) in your life that you've traveled before. A season, a memory, a place. What if God is inviting you to look back, not with regret, but with gratitude?

Join us as we reflect on the roads behind us, the grace that carried us through them, and the faithfulness that continues to lead us forward.

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Sermons on the Side Bible Readings

Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page

Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast

Check out our website HERE

Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!

Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside

Thank you for being part of the journey with us!

In Part Two of our conversation with Tray and Shelley Lovvorn, the spotlight turns to Shelley's remarkable story of faith, perseverance, and learning to steward life's deepest wounds.

As a wife, mother of six, health coach, and follower of Christ, Shelley shares candidly about grief, loss, relationships, family, and the challenges that inevitably shape every life. Rather than allowing pain to define her, she offers a powerful perspective on how God can redeem our scars and use them to bring healing, wisdom, and hope to others.

What makes this conversation especially meaningful is that, between the time this interview was recorded earlier this year and its release, Shelley was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. With the blessing of both Tray and Shelley, we are releasing these episodes exactly as planned. Listening now, her words carry an added weight and beauty, reminding us that the truths she shares are not merely theoretical - they are being lived out in real time.

This episode is a moving reminder that faith is not the absence of suffering, but the willingness to trust God through it. Whether you're walking through loss, uncertainty, disappointment, or a season of waiting, Shelley's story points us back to the hope and faithfulness of Christ.

We are grateful to Tray and Shelley for their honesty, courage, and willingness to share their journey with us.

You can follow Shelley's (@love_is777) health journey on CareBridge here

Also to connect with Tray Lovvorn you can visit his website www.traylovvorn.com

Send us Fan Mail

Sermons on the Side Bible Readings

Connect with us on our FACEBOOK page

Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @sermons_on_the_side_podcast

Check out our website HERE

Love the show? If you’re enjoying the stories, laughs, and conversations we share here, we’d be so grateful if you’d consider “buying us a cup of coffee” to help keep things brewing. It’s a simple way to show your support and keep the podcast going strong!

Here’s the link: buymeacoffee.com/sermonsontheside

Thank you for being part of the journey with us!