Episode 9 – "The Obedience of One" | Truth & Knowledge Podcast Guest Speaker: Pastor Jordan Fowler. In this episode, Pastor Jordan Fowler explores the powerful truth that the Bible declares believers in Christ Jesus as righteous. But what happens when you don't feel righteous or struggle to believe it? Pastor Fowler unpacks how true righteousness is deeply connected to both faith and obedience—drawing on the example of Abraham, whose trust in God was credited to him as righteousness. This episode challenges listeners to reflect on their walk with God and the role obedience plays in living out their faith.

Paul draws a contrast between the actions of Adam and Christ. He also outlines the outcome of the actions of these two men. He compares the man that disobeyed God's command with the One that obeyed His Word - contrasting the one that sinned against God with the One that did only those things that He heard from His Father in heaven.

It was the result of one act of disobedience, which was carried out by Adam that condemned the entire human race. Adam was the federal head of God's creation and he was given one simple test - but Adam failed. It was because of this one offence that Adam brought condemnation upon all men. Adam was told: of every tree of the garden you may truly eat but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for the day you eat of it you will surely die.

The result of this one sin of Adam brought calamity of the entire human race and placed everyone under God's condemnation and death. As the single representative of all humanity, Adam's one transgression resulted in the condemnation of all men. We are sinners - not only because we sin but also because we are imputed with a sin nature because of Adam's transgression. In addition to our imputed sin nature from Adam, we inherit a fallen nature from our parents.. and we were born in sin. We were born dead in trespasses and sins, at enmity with God and without hope in the world - and the soul that sins shall die, for the wages of sin is death.

It was this ONE transgression that resulted in the condemnation of all men, but it was also through ONE amazing act of righteousness, that resulted in justification of life to all men. It was one act of disobedience that placed us under God's eternal condemnation, and one act of willing obedience, that brought justification of life to all men - and it is received simply by faith in the finished work of Christ.

Many like to bemoan the fact that we are made sinners because of Adam's sin. Many feel it is unfair that we have to inherit the sin nature from our forefathers, because of their sin.. but this is failure to recognise God's incredible grace in His simple plan for man's redemption - for as by ONE sin we were all made sinners.. so by ONE act of obedience we can all be declared righteous and receive justification of life. It was Adam's one sin that rendered us sinners and inputed us with a sin nature.. so too by Christ's one act of obedience we are declared righteous and receive justification of life- by faith in Him. By His one act of obedience we are inputed with Christ's righteousness - and it is ours simply by faith - by believing in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting.

It was by God's grace that Adam's condemnation rested on ONE single act of disobedience - in order that by God's grace man's redemption could also rest on ONE act of obedience - one single act of sacrifice which made possible the justification of all who will believe.

All who are born IN ADAM are eternally condemned and all who are born-again IN CHRIST are not condemned but declared righteous by God and given eternal life - for there is no condemnation to those that are IN CHRIST.

The wages of being IN ADAM is death.. for by one man's transgression we are all made sinners.. but the gift of God is eternal life for those that are IN CHRIST, for His one act of righteousness results in justification of life for all who believe. By faith we are placed in eternal union with Christ - the God-Man Who is our kinsman-Redeemer and the federal Head of God's New Creation.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Matthew 6:25-34 

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; the peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Anxiety is your body's response to anticipated danger. It is typically associated with worry or fear and is often accompanied by cognitive issues such as difficulty concentrating and physical symptoms like nausea, shaking, and muscle tenseness. Anxiety can be a normal response to specific situations, but sometimes anxiety is part of an anxiety disorder.

There are multiple types of anxiety disorders, and they involve similar symptoms, with some differences in their symptoms.

It might feel like your anxiety symptoms control your life, whether that means fear of a panic attack, avoiding people due to social anxiety, or constant worry and agitation. Understanding the symptoms of your specific type of anxiety can help you seek the most appropriate treatment and improve your quality of life.

Anxiety is described by the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) as anticipation of a future threat. Everyone feels anxious at one point or another, but not everyone experiences an anxiety disorder.

There are multiple types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and more. These conditions should not be confused with day-to-day worrying.

It’s normal to be anxious about important events, like a job interview, a performance, a first date, a big exam, childbirth, or any number of life moments. Sometimes, however, worrying gets out of control and becomes an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are diagnosable mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, and related behavioral and physical changes that may worsen over time.

Symptoms

The effects of anxiety usually include a combination of physical, psychological, and social symptoms. Your exact symptom profile will differ based on your individual circumstances, a specific type of anxiety disorder, and personal triggers.

Some common symptoms of anxiety disorders include.

Excessive fear and worry

Dry mouth

Muscle tension

Nausea

Irregular heartbeat

Difficulty sleeping

Cautious, avoidant behavior

Panic attacks

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of symptoms, because each type of anxiety disorder has its own symptom profile and diagnostic criteria based on guidelines of the DSM-5.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, which was previously called social phobia, is characterized by excessive fear of social and performance situations.2 It is more than just shyness. People with social anxiety disorder feel intense anxiety that may lead to avoidant behaviors around meeting new people, maintaining relationships, speaking in front of others, eating in public, and more.

Symptoms of social anxiety disorder include:

Disproportionate fear and anxiety in one or more social situations

Blushing

Sweating

Trembling

Rapid heart rate

The feeling of “mind going blank”

Self-judgment and self-consciousness

Nausea

Avoiding social situations, or experiencing intense fear during them

Impairment in social, occupational, and other areas of functioning

People can either experience general social anxiety disorder, or performance-specific social anxiety disorder (such as when speaking or performing in front of an audience).

Social anxiety disorder can look different in children. Notably, for children, the anxiety must occur in peer situations, and not just with adults. Symptoms can manifest as tantrums, freezing, crying, clinging, and refusal to speak.

These conditions manifest as both physical and mental symptoms and impact daily activities such as school, work, leisure, and relationships.

Truth & Knowledge: Episode 3 – "Breaking Self-Ego" In this episode, Trey Knowles explores the concept of breaking the Self-Ego. He teaches that true humility begins by following instructions, actively listening, and genuinely caring for the needs of others. These actions are the first steps in dissolving self-centeredness. Why is this important? Because love is not self-seeking—love is kind. To break the Self-Ego, the first step is recognizing your spiritual poverty. What does that mean? It means admitting you don’t have it, can’t buy it, and that you need it. Trey references Matthew 19:24, where Jesus says it's hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God—highlighting that pride and self-sufficiency are barriers to spiritual growth.