Podcast Summary: Christ With Coffee On Ice

Host: Ally Yost
Episode: Breaking Down the Bible
Date: September 27, 2024

Overview

In this heartfelt episode, host Ally Yost invites listeners to fully engage with scripture—specifically, the first two chapters of the Book of John. The discussion centers on making the Bible approachable, avoiding spiritual numbness, the importance of baptism, and encountering Jesus through the living Word. Expect vulnerability, teaching, relatable analogies, and encouragement aimed at deepening your walk with Christ.

Main Themes & Purpose

• Reinvigorating Our Approach to Scripture: Avoiding spiritual complacency and rediscovering the “aliveness” of the Word.
• Foundation in the Word: Rooting faith not in sermons or leaders, but in the living Word of God.
• Walking Through the Book of John: Exploring Jesus’ identity, his relationship to God, and the beginning of his earthly ministry.
• Understanding Types of Baptism: Water, Holy Spirit, and fire—their meanings, personal testimonies, and biblical roots.
• Living Our Faith Publicly: Encouragement to embrace the public profession of faith through baptism and loving action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power and Priority of Scripture

Timestamps: 00:20 - 06:30

• Ally notes how sermons and podcasts are abundant but simply reading Scripture, especially in a relatable way, is rare:

  “There’s just not a lot out there for our generation…that is just reading scripture.” (02:01)

• She prays against numbness to the Word and asks for a softening of hearts, invoking the unique privilege of access to God post-Christ (“the veil was torn”).

  “Let us never become numb. Let us never become familiar with scripture. Let us know scripture…embedded in our hearts after today, but let us not become familiar or numb to it.” (06:11)

2. The Beginning of John—Jesus as the Living Word

Timestamps: 06:35 - 18:29

• Reading and reflecting line-by-line on John 1:1-18:
  • Jesus existed from the very beginning; He is “the Word” and co-creator with God.
  • Jesus as bringer of light that “darkness can never extinguish.” (08:39)
  • John the Baptist’s role as a forerunner, paving the way for the Messiah.
• Ally highlights the uniqueness of the Bible’s interconnectedness:

  "There are 63,779 cross references in the Bible…never been a book that's been written like this." (15:40)

3. The Role and Identity of John the Baptist

Timestamps: 18:30 - 22:58

• John’s humility—he is not the Messiah, but bears witness.
• Ally connects John’s answer (“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness…”) to Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah).

4. Baptism Explained: Water, Spirit, and Fire

Timestamps: 23:00 - 38:40

• Ally breaks down the three types of baptism:
  • Water: Public declaration of faith; symbolizes washing away the old self.
  • Holy Spirit: Receiving spiritual gifts.
  • Fire: A deeper sanctification, “being made more holy.” (28:05)
• She shares a personal testimony about her own water and fire baptisms, encouraging listeners not to overthink or delay their own:

  “Whether it’s in a bathtub or if it’s in the ocean, I don’t think we should put a ton of pressure on waiting for the perfect timing.” (34:46) “Don’t hold off your wedding day with the Lord…just do it. Please, just do it. Why are you waiting? Be made new already!” (36:29)

• Ally likens baptism to a wedding, emphasizing the importance of substance over style.

5. Jesus’ Baptism, The Calling of Disciples, and Early Miracles

Timestamps: 38:41 - 54:04

• Jesus’ Baptism: John the Baptist recounts witnessing the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove—confirming him as the Messiah (John 1:32-34).
• Calling of Disciples: Ally reads the initial encounters, including the renaming of Simon to Peter and the calling of Philip and Nathanael.
  • Memorable exchange:

    “Nazareth!…Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (51:00)
    Ally: “Only the Lamb of God, only the Savior of the entire planet…” (51:09)

• Jesus Sees Nathanael:
  • Jesus astonishing Nathanael with supernatural knowledge (seeing him under the fig tree).

    “You believe this because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” (52:15, quoting Jesus) Ally: “He’s so savage for that. He said, that was enough to convince you? Well…just wait.” (52:40)

6. First Miracle: Water Into Wine

Timestamps: 54:05 - 57:10

• The miracle at Cana is Jesus’ first public sign—turning water to wine.

  “Jesus turned between 120 and 180 gallons of water into wine. Can you imagine?” (56:15)

• Ally marvels at the abundance and symbolism of the miracle.

7. Cleansing the Temple and Foreshadowing the Resurrection

Timestamps: 57:11 - 60:30

• Jesus drives out merchants, fulfills prophecy (“Passion for God’s house will consume me”).
• He enigmatically refers to his body as the temple that will be raised in three days, which disciples understand fully after the resurrection.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Living Word:

  “It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve read John…I know it’s going to hit you right in your spirit man, because that’s what it’s made for.” (03:25)

• The Relatability of John’s Gospel:

  “So imagine creating a world, being birthed into it, coming into that same world that you literally created and molded, and your own people not recognizing you…” (13:48)

• On Procrastinating Baptism:

  “Don’t hold off your wedding day with the Lord…just do it. Please, just do it. Why are you waiting?” (36:29)

Action Steps & Closing Encouragement

Timestamps: 60:31 - End

• Ally encourages listeners to “show somebody how cool Jesus is today,” through love, hope, and joy.
• She prays that everyone’s time in the Word is refreshing and challenges listeners to carry it forward into their lives.

“Let’s work towards having more of a heart like the Lord today, let’s have hearts like Jesus.” (61:20)

Key Timestamps

• 00:20 – Intro, aligning around the value of reading scripture
• 06:35 – Beginning John 1:1 (“In the beginning, the Word already existed…”)
• 21:11 – Bible’s interconnectedness and cross references
• 23:00 – Baptism: Water, Spirit, Fire explained
• 38:41 – Jesus’ baptism and John’s testimony
• 51:00 – Nathanael scoffs at Nazareth; Jesus’ supernatural insight
• 54:05 – Jesus turns water into wine
• 57:11 – Cleansing the temple & resurrection foreshadowed
• 60:31 – Encouragement to act in love; closing challenge

Tone & Style

Friendly, lively, conversational, honest, at times playful (“He’s so savage for that”), and deeply pastoral. Ally maintains relatability (“grab your iced coffee”), vulnerability, and an encouraging spirit throughout.

This episode is ideal for anyone longing to reconnect with the foundational truths of the Bible and those who may feel “numb” to scripture—or who are hesitating to take a bold step of faith. It’s a call to loving action, spiritual sensitivity, and real engagement with Jesus’ story.