In this episode of the Core Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry sits down with Jackie Van Dyke and Pastor Jim Jeffery to explore the Person, attributes, names, and character of God the Father and what it means that this all-powerful, holy God invites us to call Him Father. Building on Sunday’s message, this conversation unpacks who God has revealed Himself to be through Scripture and how our understanding of Him affects every part of our lives.

From the fear of the Lord and the holiness of God to the tenderness of “Abba Father,” this episode explores the beautiful tension of a God who is infinitely transcendent yet deeply personal. Together, they discuss how our earthly experiences shape our view of God, why suffering often distorts our understanding of Him, and how the Father’s heart is fully revealed through Jesus Christ.

As the conversation unfolds, you’ll hear powerful reflections on Exodus 34, the prodigal son, the attributes of God, and the invitation to come home to the Father—not in shame, but in humility, trust, and worship.

Most of us don’t struggle with having information about God—we struggle to truly know Him. This episode is designed to deepen your awe of the Father, strengthen your trust in His character, and remind you that His arms are open wide for His children.

In this episode:

• Why what you think about God shapes every part of your life
• How Scripture reveals the Father’s character and heart
• The difference between being afraid of God and fearing the Lord
• How our earthly fathers can shape (and sometimes distort) our view of God
• Why suffering can tempt us to misunderstand the Father’s heart
• What the prodigal son teaches us about repentance and the Father’s love
• Why guilt and shame keep people in the “far country”
• Why the cross is the clearest picture of the Father’s character and love
• Practical encouragement for approaching God with humility, surrender, and faith

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Practical Christian Theology Book: https://a.co/d/03EgMh8L

Submit a Question 

We want to hear from you! Submit your question about the Core Series topics at https://shorturl.at/9LJrQ or by texting 616-662-8801, and we may feature your question on an upcoming episode of the Core Podcast.

About this Podcast

This podcast is an 11-week companion to the Core Series at Chapel Pointe Church. Through deep theological conversations with our pastors, our goal is to help you build a deeper understanding of the core truths of Christianity and apply them to your life.

From the Bible and Jesus to salvation and the church, our prayer is that you don't just grow in knowledge but that you gain a deeper appreciation for the love, grace, and movement of God in your life. Visit chapel-pointe.org/core-series for a full list of resources, including sermons, discussion guides, and more.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome and Purpose

04:10 Seeing God as Father

10:35 Fear of the Lord

17:50 Exodus 34 and God’s Glory

24:20 God Both Good and Sovereign

24:32 Seeing God Through Christ

26:17 Abba Father and Holy Awe

28:03 Prayer and Fatherly Provision

35:29 Prodigal Son Coming Home

42:57 Cross and Final Blessing

In this episode of the Core Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry is joined by Pastor Tyler Perrott and Ramsay Smith (Grandville Worship Leader) for a deep dive into one of the most profound and mysterious doctrines of the Christian faith: the Trinity. Building on Sunday’s message, this conversation explores who God is as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and how that reality shapes not just what we believe, but how we relate to Him.

From the tension of understanding a triune God to the beauty of experiencing His love, this episode invites you to move beyond mere head knowledge into deeper worship and affection. As the conversation unfolds, you’ll see how the Trinity isn’t just a theological concept—it’s the foundation of everything we believe about God, salvation, and relationship with Him.

Most of us don’t struggle with having information about God—we struggle to be in awe of Him. This episode is designed to reignite that wonder, helping you see the greatness of God and drawing you into a deeper, more personal encounter with His love.

In this episode:

• What the Trinity is (and isn’t) and why it’s essential to the Christian faith
• How understanding God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit shapes our worship
• Why the Trinity is both foundational truth and ongoing mystery
• Common misunderstandings and heresies about the Trinity (and how to avoid them)
• How Scripture reveals the Trinity from Genesis to the New Testament
• The distinct roles and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Why every person already has a theology—and how to align it with Scripture
• How the Trinity fuels relationship with God, not just knowledge about Him
• Practical ways to grow in affection, awe, and worship of the triune God

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves - https://a.co/d/09U1Veu6

Practical Christian Theology Book: https://a.co/d/03EgMh8L

Tiny Theologians Podcast - https://tiny-theologians.simplecast.com/episodes/t-is-for-trinity-mVpiAgRn

Submit a Question 

We want to hear from you! Submit your question about the Core Series topics at https://shorturl.at/9LJrQ or by texting 616-662-8801, and we may feature your question on an upcoming episode of the Core Podcast.

About this Podcast

This podcast is an 11-week companion to the Core Series at Chapel Pointe Church. Through deep theological conversations with our pastors, our goal is to help you build a deeper understanding of the core truths of Christianity and apply them to your life.

From the Bible and Jesus to salvation and the church, our prayer is that you don't just grow in knowledge but that you gain a deeper appreciation for the love, grace, and movement of God in your life. Visit chapel-pointe.org/core-series for a full list of resources, including sermons, discussion guides, and more.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
00:33 Why The Trinity Fuels Worship
05:22 Trinity as Core Doctrine
08:33 Everyone Has a Theology
11:10 Defining the Trinity
15:31 Delighting in the Trinity
20:29 Finding Trinity in Scripture
27:05 Trinity Leads Us to Worship
28:17 One God, Three Persons
29:04 Common Trinity Heresies
31:08 How The Trinity Leads to Humility
32:38 Bad Analogies and Illustrations
35:18 Other Faiths and Truth Claims
40:56 Living by the Spirit

From the unity of the biblical story to how we read it faithfully, this conversation is designed to help you not just know more about Scripture but love it more deeply.

Most of us don't have a knowledge problem. We have an affection problem. This episode will help you discover the beauty and value of Scripture while igniting a passion to encounter God through His living and active Word.

In this episode:

• How all of Scripture points to and reveals Jesus Christ
• Why the Bible is inerrant and infallible
• What 2 Timothy 3:16 teaches us about the nature of the Bible
• The remarkable unity of the Old and New Testaments
• Common ways people approach Scripture (and where they go wrong)
• The reliability of the Bible — manuscript evidence, historical credibility, and more
• What the Apocrypha is and how to engage extrabiblical texts wisely
• What hermeneutics and exegesis actually mean and how Chapel Pointe approaches Scripture

Bible Resources Mentioned in this Episode

How to Study Bible Resource: https://bit.ly/bible-guide-pdf

Wesley Huff’s Website: https://www.wesleyhuff.com/

Wesley Huff’s Infographics: https://www.wesleyhuff.com/infographics

Chapel Pointe Statement of Faith: https://www.chapel-pointe.org/beliefs/

Scripture Alone by James White: https://a.co/d/0eOXmEtv

Practical Christian Theology Book: https://a.co/d/03EgMh8L

More Resources

Biblical Understanding Booklet (Be The Church): https://bit.ly/48oQEqH

Biblical Worldview Booklet (Be The Church): https://bit.ly/biblical-worldview-book

Biblical Parenting Booklet (Be The Church): https://bit.ly/biblical-parenting-book

Prayer Guide: https://bit.ly/4cPDwfp

Submit a Question 

We want to hear from you! Submit your question at https://shorturl.at/9LJrQ or by texting 616-662-8801, and we may feature your question on an upcoming episode of the Core Podcast.

About this Podcast

This podcast is an 11-week companion to the Core Series at Chapel Pointe Church. Through deep theological conversations with our pastors, our goal is to help you build a deeper understanding of the core truths of Christianity and apply them to your life.

From the Bible and Jesus to salvation and the church, our prayer is that you don't just grow in knowledge but that you gain a deeper appreciation for the love, grace, and movement of God in your life. Visit https://www.chapel-pointe.org/core-series/ for a full list of resources, including sermons, discussion guides, and more.

Timestamps

0:00 – Welcome to the Core Podcast

2:10 – Vision for the Series

4:55 – All of Scripture Points to Jesus Christ

7:30 – 2 Timothy 3:16: God-Breathed Scripture

11:00 – The Bible as God's Special Revelation

15:20 – Live Bible Study: Reading 1 John 2 Together

22:45 – How to Approach Scripture (OIA Method)

27:00 – Common Ways People Misread the Bible

31:30 – Can We Trust the Bible? Reliability & Manuscript Evidence

38:10 – The Apocrypha & Extrabiblical Texts

43:45 – Hermeneutics, Exegesis & Chapel Pointe's Approach to Scripture

51:00 – What's the Real Question Behind the Question?

55:30 – Affections, Delight & the CS Lewis Challenge

59:00 – Closing: Filter Everything Through the Word

For more resources, visit chapel-pointe.org/core-series.