Order of Events:
1ST HOUR
1) Dane Van Eys - 15 Min Positive Opening Statement
2) Tyler Fowler - 15 Min Negative Opening Statement
3) David Pallmann - 15 Min Positive Rebuttal
4) Ty Brillhart - 15 Min Negative Rebuttal

----------10 MIN BREAK----------

2ND HOUR
1) 40 Min Cross Examination (4x 10 min segments)
2) Dan Chapa - 10 Min Positive Closing Statement
3) David Louis - 10 Min Negative Closing Statement

Moderators:
Joshua "Jimmy" Davidson & Cole Perkins

For more Austin and interview style videos check out his YouTube channel here:
https://youtube.com/channel/UCFDYk_AG8Sf8ZNm0LlT4EpA

Michael leads us in giving his testimony concerning his experience using opiate’s. (Side note: beginning like a lot of addicts, Michael began using, not to “get high” but for post surgery rehabilitation. In pain, Michael took pain pills for comfort. This is my (Tyler) story as well. This seems to be a common denominator amongst many of those who end up becoming addicted to opiates especially.)

Noah then asks a great question about whether or not Mike had a walk with Jesus at all during this time in his life and if so, how did that effect Mike’s decision’s and possibly even outcome of his addiction?

For the addict we answer questions like “How do I reach out if I’m struggling with drug addiction to my church or family” and “What if I have been hurt before by the church and don’t trust very well” and for those who haven’t been pierced by this particular arrow from Satan’s quiver, “What can I do if I know someone struggling with drug use or addiction in general” (there is a difference between “drug use” and “active addiction”)?

This is important for the local church . “What is the appropriate heart to approach the addict with?” What ultimately drives a person to do what they do? Using the gospel to attack the root of drug addiction, sin, is how we fight this but do we put the gospel first, or is it central?

Mike and I then get into what addicts actually experience when going through “withdrawals” and give and addict POV for those who have never experienced this “HELL” those addicted to anything like this have probably experienced in one form or another and what we do, just to feel “normal”

A lot more is discussed in this episode in detail about drug addiction, even going on to answer the question “What happens when trust is broken between two people confided in each other to help?” but I would like to end with some practical steps those who are struggling with this particular sin and those who are feeling a desire to help someone in this situation can apply:

1. Find someone you can TRUST. This is key.
2. TALK to them. Be open and transparent, not feeling ashamed. We are forgiven! Also don’t give a cause for stumbling. Understand this is physical as well as mental and spiritual.
3. LISTEN. To the one helping, listen to the addicts story and to the addict, listen to the advice you’re given.
4. CENTER the conversation on The Gospel. The Gospel is the axe to strike the root of the tree that is sin for both sides.
5. FORGIVE. As I stated earlier, we are forgiven therefore if you backslide forgive yourself and get back up! To the accountability partner, if your partner backslides 70 X 7 times...forgive.
6. ENCOURAGE each other daily.
7. DON’T PUSH the addict to quit. Let God work in his or her life to grant repentance and faith.
8. PRAY

Sanctification is not an instantaneous thing that just happens overnight, rather a process that continues, in my opinion anyway, into eternity!

We have been given eternal life now, and we are commanded by our Lord and Savior to "be holy", but where we begin? Are there any steps we can take to actually defeat these sins that so easily conquer us and sinful habits we've been so accustomed to over the years? Can we, in this flesh, become perfect? Also what did Jesus and the apostles do when they were tempted to sin and how did they overcome?

As Bruce and I tackle these questions and more on our 40th episode of CSG may we all remember that in trusting Jesus with salvation as a whole, we can also trust Him to sanctify us by the power of the same Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead!

On the guest list we have some old and new friends on the show!
Michael Keaton
Joshua Davidson
Ty Brillhart
Joshua Sherman

We have A LOT to discuss on this one guys and gals! Join us as we dive into the corruption that we are seeing play out before our very eyes! Don't miss this one!!!

Special Guest: Noah J. Chelliah.