Podcast Summary: "The SCARIEST Words Jesus Said" (ft. James Griffin)

The Bryce Crawford Podcast, Ep. 173 – December 29, 2025
Host: Bryce Crawford
Guest: Pastor James Griffin (Cross Point City Church)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on what Bryce and Pastor James consider “the scariest passage in the Bible”: Jesus’ statement in Matthew 7, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” Together, they unpack its meaning for Christians today, discuss the difference between authentic faith and mere religious activity, and explore how believers can find assurance rather than fear in Jesus’ words.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pastor James’ Testimony and Approach to Ministry (03:20–07:00)

• James shares a moving account of his family's conversion—his father being rescued from a lifestyle far from God—which changed the trajectory of their family. He came to faith as a teenager but struggled for years with legalistic thinking before experiencing gospel freedom in his 20s.
• Quote:
  “For me to be doing what I'm doing with my life, it makes absolutely no sense. It's really just been the grace of God ... When God saved my dad, it set our family on a new trajectory.” (03:50, James Griffin)

2. Urgency and Clarity in Evangelism (07:00–11:04)

• Bryce and James discuss the growing urgency for clear gospel proclamation in a confusing, secular age.
• They stress the importance of explaining the “why” behind the gospel, not just “repent or burn.”
• Quote:
  “I feel like now ... people are afraid to tell people, if you don't put faith in Jesus, you're going to be separated from God for an eternity.” (07:41, Bryce Crawford)
• James introduces J.I. Packer’s line:
  “Hell is God's gesture of respect for human choice.” (10:35, James Griffin)

3. Context & Meaning of Matthew 7 (12:38–14:40)

• The passage (“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ ...”) comes at the climax of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, summarizing His “kingdom ethic.”
• Matthew’s overall gospel aims to reveal Jesus as King and frames the question: How do we know we’re in the kingdom?
• Quote:
  “Not everybody who thinks they're in is in.” (14:33, James Griffin)

4. Examining the Scariest Words: “I Never Knew You” (14:40–21:15)

• James explains knowledge in the biblical sense—intimacy and real relationship, not just religious observance or correct belief.
• Bryce and James clarify that external signs or even miracles aren’t guarantees of salvation.
• “You can be the person in church every week, using all the right language, and still not be in the relationship… You can be doing the religious thing and not be in the relationship.” (16:52, James Griffin)
• The difference between nice people and faithful people:
  “Nice people don't go to heaven, faithful people go to heaven.” (17:09, Bryce Crawford)

5. Fruit, Legalism, and Real Change (17:23–22:22)

• The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) stem from dependence on the Spirit, not human effort.
• Bryce voices concern over legalistic striving; James responds that the essential move is to admit our powerlessness and daily yield to Christ.
• Quote:
  “The Christian life is impossible without the Holy Spirit … The true believer understands: 'I can't do it.'” (18:50, James Griffin)

6. Profession vs. Practice; Self-Deception in Faith (22:22–24:56)

• James breaks down James 2: dead faith (professes, doesn’t practice), demonic faith (professes, rebels), and saving faith (professes and practices).
• Mere “magic words” or a scripted prayer aren’t what Jesus meant by faith; genuine salvation produces change.
• "We did all these great things in your name." ... but Jesus seeks relationship and heart transformation. (24:56, both)

7. Performance vs. Grace—Why Even Good Works Can Be Emptied of Meaning (30:06–33:57)

• James notes that miraculous gifts and good works can even be performed by unbelievers—it’s possible to do the right things with the wrong heart.
• Quote:
  “These people are arguing for their performance over the performance of Jesus Christ, and we don't get into the kingdom by works.” (33:48, James Griffin)
• The danger of chasing miracles without seeking the Miracle-worker is highlighted.

8. The Difference Between Repentance and “Working” for Salvation (36:03–38:15)

• True repentance (metanoia) is a Spirit-wrought change of mind and heart—not a means of earning salvation, which is by grace alone.
• Bryce and James clarify that ongoing transformation is a work of God, and repentance is a response, not the basis, of salvation.

9. How Christians Can Find Assurance in This “Scary” Passage (40:07–44:23)

• James offers self-diagnostic questions: Whose work are you trusting in—yours, or Jesus’ finished work? Do you see real, if imperfect, progress in your walk with Christ?
• “Can you look in the mirror and go, ‘I'm not who I used to be’?... Are you being saved in present time, right now?” (42:54, James Griffin)
• Salvation is past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification).

10. Encouragement for Those Struggling With Sin & Assurance (47:58–52:54)

• Bryce raises the issue of habitual sin, “thorns in the flesh,” and generational strongholds.
• James shares a personal struggle with pornography, illustrating how ongoing weakness can drive believers to ongoing dependence—referencing 2 Corinthians 12.
• Quote:
  “On this side of eternity, God is far more concerned with our dependence than with our deliverance.” (51:34, James Griffin)

11. Practical Habits for Ongoing Faithfulness (Seeking Jesus Daily) (53:16–57:28)

• Don’t trust your feelings—trust God’s Word.
• Practical rhythms: consistent corporate worship, regular Bible reading, proactive and reactive prayer, and strong Christian community.
• “Be consistent in gathering … Put yourself in environments where truth is washing over you and you are positioning yourself before God to be changed by Him.” (53:52, James Griffin)
• "In moments of temptation, run to God, not away from Him." (56:58, James Griffin)

12. Why the Local Church Matters (57:40–61:44)

• Both host and guest stress the irreplaceable value of the local church—God’s family is His tool for shaping and supporting believers.
• James warns against slandering “the bride of Christ.”
• Quote:
  “God did not save you to walk alone. He saved you into a family.” (60:43, James Griffin)

13. Short, Light-Hearted Segment: Do Pastors Have Pastors? And Why Are They ‘Yoked’? (61:44–64:35)

• James says every pastor needs a pastor and shares who his mentors are.
• On “yoked” pastors: James attributes it to stewardship of body and stress relief, not vanity.
• Funny Quote:
  “Churches don't need the security team because the pastor …” (64:35, Bryce Crawford)

14. Direct Encouragement to Gen Z (64:51–66:45)

• James draws from Ecclesiastes: live for Christ now, in your youth, when you have the most to offer.
  “Do not believe the lie that you can live for the glory of God later … Later may never come.” (66:29, James Griffin)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• James Griffin:
  “The one thing that sends people to hell is when they try to be their own saviors. I don't need Jesus. I can do it.” (40:16)

• Bryce Crawford:
  “There's no way you can meet the man Himself and not be changed.” (26:40)

• James Griffin:
  “God will leave certain thorns in our flesh to invest in our humility, to keep us desperate for him and dependent upon Him … I went from seeing that temptation as a burden to a blessing.” (49:44, and 51:34)

• On Assurance:
  “You should be confident in the fact that you will show up on Judgment Day and not hear those words, ‘I never knew you’ but hear those words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’” (44:18, James Griffin)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Pastor James’ journey/testimony: 03:20–07:00
• Why it’s urgent to explain the true gospel: 07:00–11:04
• Setting up Matthew 7 passage/context: 12:38–14:40
• Unpacking ‘I never knew you’: 14:40–21:15
• Fruit vs. works/legalism: 17:23–22:22
• Profession vs. practice (James 2): 22:22–24:56
• Performance-based faith vs. grace: 30:06–33:57
• Repentance, faith, and what counts as a ‘work’: 36:03–38:15
• How to read this passage for assurance, not terror: 40:07–44:23
• Struggling with sin & sanctification: 47:58–52:54
• Practical spiritual habits: 53:16–57:28
• Essential value of local church: 57:40–61:44
• Light-hearted segment (pastor mentors/fitness): 61:44–64:35
• Gen Z encouragement: 64:51–66:45

Final Encouragement & Close

James’ closing exhortation to Gen Z is to use this season of life to pursue Christ with everything, warning that “later may never come.”

He ends with a prayer for listeners—especially those who are self-deceived or far from God—for faith, revival, and dependence on Christ.

Prayer segment: 67:09–68:34

Style Highlights

Bryce’s casual, honest hosting style pairs naturally with James’ pastor/mentor warmth and biblical rigor. The conversation is conversational yet weighty, with scriptural reference and frequent uses of practical, real-world illustration.

This summary covers all major segments of the content, thematic highlights, and relevant quotes, offering a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.