Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Red Rocks Church Weekend Messages
Episode: Bring Your Bible to the Fire
Speaker: Ryan (not Doug)
Date: November 8, 2025

Overview

In the final message of the "Kiss the Fire" series, Ryan challenges the community to "Bring Your Bible to the Fire." As life's trials—those "fires" we all face—arise, Ryan lays out a passionate case for why and how we should turn to Scripture as our essential resource, not just for information, but for transformation. The sermon is practical, encouraging believers to trust, study, memorize, and live out the Bible as the ultimate strategy for facing adversity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Facing Life’s Fires: What Will You Bring?

(Starts ~00:55)

• The world offers distractions and vices to cope with adversity, but Ryan urges, "Bring your Bible to the fire."
• Referencing Ephesians 6: "Paul tells us that your Bible is your sword. It's your weapon that you can take with you into battle." (10:00)

2. Four Steps for Taking the Bible Into the Fire

(10:30 - 12:30)

• Trust It: Is the Bible trustworthy?
• Study It: Go deeper than ownership; become a student.
• Memorize It: Internalize Scripture so you can access it anywhere.
• Live It: Let the Word shape your actions and outlook.

3. Can We Trust the Bible? Addressing Skepticism

(12:35 - 25:30)

• Ryan acknowledges doubts, especially the "telephone game" critique about Scripture transmission.
• He explains:
  • Eyewitnesses wrote the Gospels (Matthew, John were with Jesus; Mark and Luke investigated and compiled first-hand accounts).
  • Modern Bible translations (like NIV) are based on the original Greek and Hebrew, not just a "copy of a copy."
  • Archaeological discoveries back up the Bible’s accuracy.
• Notable quote:
  • "For 2000 years, it's been backing it up." (15:39)
• Archaeologist Nelson Glueck:
  • "No archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference." (22:30)
• Norman Geisler:
  • "There's more evidence that the Bible is a reliable source than there is for any other book from the ancient world." (22:50)

4. The Bible as a Unified Story—A Library, Not Just a Book

(25:30 - 29:30)

• 66 books, 39 authors, 3 continents, 1500 years—and it tells a cohesive narrative pointing to Jesus.
• Over 63,000 “hyperlinks” where the Bible references itself.

5. From Trust to Action: How to Study Scripture

(29:40 - 38:00)

• Most households own a Bible, few regularly use it.
• Self-centered spirituality (like horoscopes) is on the rise; Ryan contrasts this with centering faith on God’s truth.
• Practical advice:
  • Have a place (e.g., dedicated chair, car, or evening after kids’ bedtime).
  • Have a plan (e.g., read Luke & Acts—52 chapters in the last 52 days of the year).
• Moves from theory to example:
  • Tells the story of Pastor Jill reading Scripture in the hospital after a difficult diagnosis, illustrating a life truly steeped in the Word.

6. Memorizing Scripture: Your Weapon for the Fire

(38:05 - 44:00)

• Ryan humorously admits to a faltering memory ("I can't even remember six digits anymore!") and points to the lost art of memorizing Scripture.
• Cites Psalm 119:11:
  • "I've hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (41:45)
• Jesus’ example: Matthew 4—combating temptation by quoting Scripture.
• “When we memorize scripture that's how we fight back against the lies.” (44:00)

Memorization Challenge: Three Verses (44:30 - 48:00)

• Romans 5:8 — For those who need to remember they are loved.
• Ephesians 2:10 — For those who doubt their worth or purpose.
• Joshua 1:9 — For those needing courage and assurance of God’s presence.

7. Living it Out: It Might Not Come Naturally, But It Will Come Supernaturally

(48:00 - End)

• Ryan’s personal story about overcoming deep fear of public speaking echoes Moses’ own doubts in Exodus:
  • Moses: "I'm not a great speaker."
  • God's response: “Yeah, but I'm going with you.” (Exodus 3:12)
• Ryan: "Public speaking does not come naturally to me. It doesn't. But it does come supernaturally to me." (52:42)
• Calls the church to trust God’s presence as they face their own "fires," whether in relationships, addiction, dreams, or calling.
• Encourages believers to respond—whether seeking faith for salvation or courage for trial—reminding them, “You can kiss this fire in front of you because the Lord is going with you.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Distractions:
  • "But this series is not called just kind of hope the fire goes away. This series is called Kiss the Fire. And for the final sermon, I want to preach a message called bring your Bible to the fire." (04:44)
• On Skepticism:
  • "A classic Christian telling us you can trust the Bible because the Bible tells us that we can trust the Bible. Right? That's circular reasoning." (13:50)
• On the Gospels’ Reliability:
  • "So there's this guy named Matthew who wrote the Gospel according to, yeah… He got to be an eyewitness… And then he sat down and wrote it down." (16:40)
• On Memorizing Scripture:
  • "One of the ways to combat [memory problems] is to get back to the lost art of memorizing scripture, of learning to bring it with you into battle." (34:35)
  • "I've hidden Bible verses in my heart so that I'm ready when the enemy does attack." (42:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:-------------:|:-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:55 | Framing the "fire" and facing it differently | | 10:00 | Ephesians 6: The Bible as your weapon in battle | | 12:35 | Addressing doubts about trusting the Bible | | 22:30 | Archaeological & historical evidence for the Bible | | 25:30 | The Bible’s unique structure & unity | | 29:40 | The gap between owning and studying the Bible | | 35:00 | Story of Pastor Jill & the power of prepared study | | 38:05 | Memorizing Scripture and Jesus’ example | | 41:45 | Hiding God’s Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11) | | 44:30 | Practical memorization challenge: Three key verses | | 48:00 | Personal application: It might not come naturally, but… | | 52:42 | "But it does come supernaturally to me." | | 55:00+ | Encouragement, response, and final prayer |

Conclusion

Ryan’s message is a compelling and accessible call to not leave your weapon—the Bible—unused when you encounter life’s fiercest fires. Through history, practicality, and personal testimony, he urges the church to trust, study, memorize, and live out the Scriptures so that God’s truth shapes hearts in the midst of adversity. The promise? “It may not come naturally to you, but it will come supernaturally to you, because the Lord is coming with you." (52:42)