Podcast Summary: Deepen with Pastor Joby Martin

Episode: "God is Sovereign over Every Story" (Matthew S1E1)

Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Pastor Joby Martin
Guests: Jonathan Vincke, Ryan Britt

Overview

In this inaugural episode focused on the Gospel of Matthew, Pastor Joby Martin and his team launch a new deep-dive series into the life and teachings of Jesus, emphasizing God's complete sovereignty over every story—including the personal histories of unlikely and broken people. The episode reflects on how Eleven22's journey and the church's recent spiritual growth are intricately connected to a deep alignment with God’s order, as seen in Scripture and specifically in Matthew’s Gospel. The conversation weaves biblical insights, practical discipleship advice, and personal anecdotes to encourage listeners to commit to a year of wholehearted devotion to Jesus.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reflections on Spiritual Growth and Church Direction

• Alignment with God's Order: Pastor Joby expresses emotional gratitude for being led by God to focus on biblical manhood and spiritual order within the church, which directly led to church growth and spiritual vitality.
  • “I'm just a regular dude from nowhere, honestly. Much like the genealogy of Jesus. And by God's grace, he saved me.… I'm an under-shepherd for you. What do you want to do with them?” (01:05, Pastor Joby Martin)
• Impact of Calling Men to ‘Stand Firm’: Emphasis on getting church leadership and families lined up with God’s design produces fruitful outcomes, such as explosive student ministry and robust women’s discipleship.
  • “When you do that rightly, it's like breaking the dam at the headwaters and then it just flows.” (03:07, Pastor Joby)
  • “Now we are preparing ourselves to launch… Neighbors to Nations.” (04:02, Pastor Joby)

2. Cultural Context and the Readiness of the Church

• Desire for Substance Over Style: The hosts reflect on a cultural hunger for truth and authenticity rather than surface-level encouragement.
  • “I just want it straight. Just tell me the truth. And if I believe that you believe, that's a great place to start.” (05:47, Ryan Britt)
• Spiritual Fertility of the Time: They discuss how societal instability has made hearts more ready for the gospel.

3. God’s Sovereignty and Human Agency

• Complete Sovereignty: God’s purposes work through all circumstances, including human brokenness and even sin.
  • “His sovereignty is complete.” (10:05, Pastor Joby)
• Natural Order and Living in Tune: There are natural “grain” or patterns to creation. Living in sync with these results in blessing; fighting them brings pain.
  • “If you go against that grain, it's painful. No matter who you are.” (10:29, Jonathan Vincke)
  • “We don't follow Jesus because he makes life better, but he is better than life.” (11:02, Pastor Joby)

4. Big Picture Approach to Matthew’s Gospel

• Importance of Context: Understanding the meta-narrative and literary structure of Matthew enhances how we see Jesus and our role in God’s plan.
  • “He goes 14, 14 and 14. And the reason is because… the number of David is 14.” (14:22, Pastor Joby)
  • “You want to talk about God throwing curveballs? Here’s a guy that betrayed his people, writing to his people about how Jesus is for all people.” (14:22, Pastor Joby)
• Matthew’s Unique Perspective: As a former outcast and tax collector writing to Jews, Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Abrahamic and Davidic promises and the call to be a blessing to all nations.
  • “Don’t do what the nation of Israel did and get wrapped around the axle of yourself… The moment you got saved, you got sent.” (17:08, Pastor Joby)

5. Scripture’s Unity and Supernatural Inspiration

• Old and New Testament Connections: Understanding Matthew requires hitching it to the Old Testament.
  • “If you don’t know the Old Testament, you can’t know Matthew… we’re going to spend all year hitching it to God's preordained plan.” (23:38, Pastor Joby)
• Divine Orchestration Over Human Agenda: God’s Spirit guided the formation and content of Scripture, not just human intellect or intent.

6. Genealogy and the Outcasts of God’s Family

• God Uses Broken People: The genealogy of Jesus is filled with morally flawed and culturally marginalized individuals—including women and non-Israelites—which demonstrates that God's grace is for all.
  • “Your past doesn’t define you. And outsiders are used by God. It’s not some random idea… it starts from the very first words—Tamar.” (28:02, Pastor Joby)
• No One Too Far Gone: Illustrations of Rahab, Tamar, Abraham, and David reinforce that faith, not pedigree, is what God honors.

7. Grace, Faith, and Human Effort

• Salvation by Grace: Faith is the vehicle; grace is the substance. Even faltering faith does not nullify God’s grace once received.
  • “Your measurement of your own faith in any moment is not the requirement of your salvation. It is grace that saved you.” (32:11, Pastor Joby)
• Human Agency versus Sovereignty: We are responsible, but God is ultimate in salvation and history.

8. Consequences, Restoration, and Repentance

• Consequences of Sin Remain: Though God’s love is unconditional, there are real-world consequences and disqualifications for certain roles due to sin.
  • “You can’t be disqualified from heaven… but there are positions of authority that if you make dumb decisions, you don’t get to do anymore.” (39:00, Pastor Joby)
• Restoration Process: Forgiveness is mandated, but restoration to roles or positions requires both repentance and communal discernment.
  • “Forgiveness is a command. Reconciliation is a process that requires both people and repentance.” (42:44, Pastor Joby)

9. Meta-narrative of Scripture & Practical Tools

• Central Them: ‘God with Us’: The whole Bible traces the arc from God’s presence with humanity, the separation by sin, and ultimate restoration in Christ.
  • “The whole Bible could be described as Emmanuel, God with us.” (45:48, Pastor Joby)
• Resources:
  • God’s Big Picture (Vaughn Roberts),
  • The Jesus Storybook Bible,
  • According to Plan (Graham Goldsworthy),
  • The Garden, the Curtain, and the Cross (children's).

10. Practical Discipleship: The One-Year Challenge

• Step-by-Step Commitment: Listeners are encouraged to try “one year all in,” taking regular steps and giving God time to work.
  • “We’re talking about small deposits over a long period of time, so just take a step.” (48:28, Pastor Joby)
• Expect Resistance: Spiritual warfare, excuses, and discouragement will likely increase when someone commits to God.
  • “Expect the skepticism and the excuses and the lazy and the reasons as to why not to be more clear and more blatant in your life.” (51:45, Ryan Britt)
• Service Schedule Adaptation: Attend less crowded services to make room for newcomers (e.g., not 9 a.m.), especially in anticipation of more people responding.

11. Repentance as the Believer’s Daily Practice

• Ongoing Turning: Quoting Luther, Joby insists daily repentance is central to Christian life.
  • “The life of the believer is that of daily repentance.” (54:30, Pastor Joby)
  • “Every day I wake up… thinking wrong. I need the Spirit of God to help me think like Jesus.” (54:51, Ryan Britt)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We don't follow Jesus because he makes life better, but he is better than life.”
  — Pastor Joby Martin (11:02)
• “The moment you got saved, you got sent.”
  — Pastor Joby Martin (17:08)
• “His sovereignty is complete.”
  — Pastor Joby Martin, echoed by Ryan Britt (10:05)
• “Your measurement of your own faith in any moment is not the requirement of your salvation. It is grace that saved you.”
  — Pastor Joby Martin (32:11)
• “You can’t be disqualified from heaven… but there are positions of authority that if you make dumb decisions, you don’t get to do anymore.”
  — Pastor Joby Martin (39:00)
• “Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you.” (James 4:8 as ongoing invitation)
  — Pastor Joby Martin (49:30)
• “You’re not employed by grace.”
  — Pastor Joby Martin, regarding consequences for leadership (40:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening and Reflections on 2025/2026 Church Vision – 00:48–06:43
• Sovereignty of God and Cultural Readiness – 09:54–12:11
• Reading the Bible in Big Picture Context – 13:43–20:28
• Meta-narrative: God’s Plan Through Matthew – 17:08–20:28
• Genealogy and God Using ‘Outsiders’ – 26:43–29:46
• Abraham, Rahab, and the Nature of Faith – 31:02–32:40
• Sovereignty, Free Will, and Faith – 34:23–35:47
• Consequences, Repentance, Restoration – 39:00–43:38
• Tools for Understanding the Meta-narrative – 45:48–47:45
• Practical Challenge for Listeners (One Year All In) – 48:28–52:15
• Repentance as a Lifestyle – 54:19–55:37

Conclusion

This episode sets a powerful foundation for the Gospel of Matthew series. The conversation is honest, humorous, and packed with encouragements for practical faith and deep engagement with Scripture. The core challenge is clear: take God seriously for a year, engage daily in repentance, and expect God to work in and through you—no matter your story or background. The sovereignty of God means your story, too, is part of His grand narrative.