Street Preachers Podcast

Episode: Did God Say That?
Hosts: Phillip Anthony Mitchell & Tim Timberlake
Date: September 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Street Preachers is a deeply honest, real-time exploration of authority, accountability, false teaching, and godly character in the context of church ministry. Responding to listener questions and recent accusations, Phillip Anthony Mitchell and Tim Timberlake address the pitfalls of unchecked ministry, the necessity of accountability, and Tim’s personal journey through a public season of trial, slander, and vindication. The discussion seamlessly moves from theology—in exegesis and biblical authority—to personal testimony, offering encouragement for anyone facing hardship, betrayal, or unjust criticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Proper Preparation for Ministry

• Listener Question: Where should I go for expository preaching and sound doctrine training?
  Timestamp: 01:25
  • Phillip: The true foundation is not school or seminary, but an "intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ." (02:04)
  • Challenge: Don't seek platforms (public ministry) before building altars (prayer and intimacy with God).

    "We should not talk about platforms before we talk about altars." – Phillip (03:13)

  • Motivation: Examine why you want to preach — pure motives or affirmation from others?
  • Word of God: Value fidelity to the text and resist twisting Scripture for personal views.
  • Community: Surround yourself with others who love and study the Word.
  • Next Step: After these essentials, higher education can be beneficial, but cannot replace spiritual foundations.

2. Giftedness vs. Accountability

• Tim:
  • Being gifted does not equate to being anointed or authorized for spiritual work.

    "I'm talented at a bunch of things, but I'm anointed for one thing." (08:49)

  • The rise of “rogue ministers” often comes from the illusion that talent alone justifies authority (08:31).
• Dangers of No Accountability:
  • Isolated ministries lack the root system needed for endurance — “a weapon without safety can do a lot of harm.” (10:31)
  • Social media fuels comparison, giftedness confusion, and can embolden unsubmitted leaders.
• Phillip:
  • Issues arise when leaders reject authority, aren’t anchored in community, or use social media for validation rather than genuine spiritual fruit.

3. False Teaching, Division, and the Letter of Jude

• Context: Jude 8 warns of those who reject authority and rely on dreams rather than God’s Word.
• Phillip:
  • Social media prophets often lack scriptural backing or accountability.
  • “Our dreams should never outweigh God’s Word. If they do, we’re not moved by vision, we’re moved by delusion.” – Tim (13:12)
• Tim’s Experience: Both hosts have been accused of being “false teachers” by online critics:

  "...someone said, 'Pam is legit, but beware of Tim Timberlake. He’s a false teacher and a church stealer.'" (13:16)
  "Somebody just exposed Philip Anthony Mitchell, you know, he’s dangerous to the body of Christ." (13:52)

4. The ‘Church Stealing’ Accusation Against Tim Timberlake

• Phillip sets the record straight: Tim was asked to lead Celebration Church, enduring empty rooms, media attacks, and death threats (15:22).
• Tim’s response:
  • It’s logistically, spiritually, and legally impossible to “steal” a church given board governance, legal structure, and documented leadership transition (17:57).
  • The critics were projecting their own lack of submission and accountability.
  • Tim speaks to the pain, endurance, and ultimate vindication by God, maintaining grace and refusing to retaliate.
• Phillip (on God’s timing):

  "You had to trust God to vindicate you. Can you talk now?" (16:08)

  • Tim has now been vindicated in court; all lawsuits lost by accusers (23:06).

5. Character, Suffering, and Vindication

• Phillip:
  • Waiting silently under attack is a test of trust in God. Retaliation is natural, but spiritual maturity chooses prayer and silence (24:41).
  • The “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5) is contrasted with the works of the flesh, including fits of rage and division — clear markers of false leadership.

    "If the Word can't hold them accountable, then nothing's going to." (32:22)

• Unity vs. Division:
  • True leaders build unity; divisive, destructive leaders bear the true marks of falseness (27:27).

    "Are they bringing unity...or are they bringing division?" – Tim (27:44)

• Accountability is mutual:
  • The hosts discuss how they privately correct each other, emphasizing brotherly relationship and iron sharpening iron (33:31).
  • Owning mistakes and course-correcting publicly are marks of true character and spiritual maturity.

6. Tim’s Journey of Endurance

• Personal Cost: Tim describes the difficulty of remaining faithful and silent amidst relentless public attack, false accusation, and loss (35:16).
  • "No one is intrigued by the truth. Everyone is intrigued by the headlines." – Tim (35:35)
• Perspective on Suffering:
  • Phillip references Paul’s teaching — some suffering is “granted” as a gift to perfect faith and put godly character on display.

    "There are few things that put character on display more like pressure..." (37:17)

• Victory and Godly Reputation: Despite pressure, Tim’s ministry is now thriving. The ultimate outcome: godly character recognized by all, even those who endured the journey with him.

7. Encouragement for Listeners

• Core message: Trials, attacks, and even slander can be refining. God vindicates His servants at the right time.
• Personal Reflection:

  "If we are more concerned about how we are viewed by people than we are received by our Father, we miss an opportunity to put on display the redemptive work that Jesus has done." – Tim (44:03)

• On Focus:
  • “Do we want to waste our time fighting other believers and false prophets, or preparing the way for the Lord? I chose the latter.” – Phillip (45:45)
• Application:
  • Hold on, pray for your enemies, remain submitted, and let God bring beauty from ashes.

8. Closing Prayer and Final Encouragement

• Deep prayer for:
  • Listeners under attack, enduring trial, or dealing with difficult family dynamics (betrayal, co-parenting, etc.).
  • God’s vindication, strength, and character revealed in hardship.
  • For persecutors — “that you would do a work in that man’s life…bring him to repentance.” (54:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We should not talk about platforms before we talk about altars." – Phillip (03:13)
• "A weapon without restraint, a weapon without safety can do a lot of harm to a lot of people." – Tim (10:31)
• "If ever our dream outweighs God’s word, we are not moved by a vision. We are moved by delusion." – Tim (13:12)
• "Waiting silently under attack is a test of trust in God." – Phillip (24:03)
• "No one is intrigued by the truth. Everyone is intrigued by the headlines." – Tim (35:35)
• "Some suffering God has granted…to put character on display." – Phillip (37:17)
• "The work with Jesus you do in private will be displayed in public." – Tim (43:20)
• "If we are more concerned about how we are viewed by people than…received by our Father, we miss an opportunity to put on display the redemptive work that Jesus has done." – Tim (44:03)
• "Do we want to waste our time fighting other believers and false prophets, or preparing the way for the Lord? I chose the latter." – Phillip (45:45)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 01:25–06:40: How to prepare for ministry and the supremacy of intimacy, motive, and scripture.
• 08:31–10:31: The dangers of unaccountable, “rogue” ministers.
• 11:18–15:44: Jude’s warning about false leaders and personal reflections/examples.
• 16:08–23:06: Tim Timberlake addresses the accusation of "church stealing," the ordeal, vindication, and lessons on slander.
• 24:03–32:22: Managing accusation, the works of the flesh versus fruit of the Spirit, applying accountability.
• 35:16–40:26: Suffering faithfully; the beauty and vindication God can bring from trial.
• 42:22–48:30: The true value of godly character, encouragement for those under attack.
• 49:06–54:10: Final prayer, ministering to listeners in hardship, and intercession for enemies.

Structure of Truth and Tone

The episode is conversational yet scripturally grounded, weaving direct personal testimony with biblical teaching. Both hosts are transparent about struggle and failings, inviting listeners into both their victories and their wounds. The tone is bold but compassionate, always looping back to prayer, humility, and the pursuit of Christ over reputation.

For Listeners

This episode will resonate deeply with anyone wrestling with criticism, misunderstanding, church hurt, or bearing weighty responsibility for others in spiritual contexts. It’s also a clarion call to hold fast to the truth, embrace the slow processes of character development, and trust God for vindication.

Main Takeaway:
Faithfulness, humility, and accountable leadership are non-negotiable — the world and the church desperately need them. And even when you’re misunderstood, slandered, or publicly dragged through trial, God is able to vindicate and bring beauty out of ashes, as He did for Tim Timberlake and as He promises for any who trust in Him.