Jesus Does Not Require Your Denomination

A lot of people say they want “more unity” in Christianity, right up until someone follows Jesus outside their preferred tribe. We start with Luke 9 and a line that still stings our pride: “Anyone who is not against you is for you.” From there, we wrestle with the impulse to police the kingdom, the temptation to treat denominations like a salvation requirement, and the simple truth that Jesus never outsourced your trust to a label.

We also spend time in Ephesians 5:22–33 because Christian marriage is one of the clearest places where selective obedience shows up. The passage calls wives to respect and submit as to the Lord and calls husbands to love with sacrificial care like Christ loves the church. You cannot toss out one command as “old-fashioned” while keeping the other. If we want stronger marriages inside the church, we have to stop pretending the hard parts do not apply.

Then we go to Psalm 73, a brutally honest prayer for anyone who has looked around and felt envy when the wicked seem to prosper. The psalm does not hide the bitterness, but it also does not end there. Perspective returns in God’s presence, and hope gets grounded again. We close with American heritage reflections on morality and liberty, and a clear conviction that still stands: spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is the best thing we can do, no matter what happens to a nation.

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Transcript

Opening Verse And Troubling Headlines

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Luke 9, 49, and 50. John said to Jesus, Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group. But Jesus said, Don't stop him. Anyone who is not against you is for you. July 2025, New Eaton, UK. 12-year-old girl was abducted from the street, taken to a quiet cul-de-sac, and subjected to extremely horrific sexual offenses, including rape by Ahmoud Mulakil, a 23-year-old Afghan asylum seeker who had entered the UK illegally only months earlier.

SPEAKER_00 0:47

That is mainstream Islam. And that is what leftism defends.

Welcome And Easter Encouragement

Prayer For Strength And Protection

SPEAKER_01 0:58

Hey folks, this is Jesse Cope, back with another episode of the American Soul Podcast. Hope y'all are doing well, wherever y'all are, whatever part of the day you're in. I meant to say this last week and I forgot to for whatever reason, but I hope y'all had a good Easter and I hope it refreshed your spirit and gave you strength for the coming week, coming year, and encouragement and hope, really. For those of y'all who continue to share the podcast, thank you. For those of y'all who continue to pray for me and throw the podcast, thank you very much. Very grateful for your prayers. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom of the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. Father, thank you for this day that you have made. Help us to rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for all those who protect us overseas and internally, our military, our law enforcement, our firefighters. Thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, most of all, and the hope that he brings. Thank you for the people that listen to the podcast and share it. Please bless them, bless their families and their marriages. Be with the brokenhearted, Father, those who feel alone and abandoned, anxious, scared, depressed, even suicidal, Father. Send them hope and help. Help them to feel your peace and your comfort. Help us to take your yoke upon us, Jesus. Because it's light and an easy burden to bear. Help us to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven, not here on earth. Be with our farmers and our ranchers, our fishers, our foresters, please, Father. Give them success and bounty.

SPEAKER_00 2:51

Be with those who build our infrastructure. Keep them safe and their families as well. And guide my words here, Father.

SPEAKER_01 3:00

Be with our leaders in the pulpit and in the state. Your son's name we pray. Amen. I don't know why I said the Lord's prayer again there at the beginning.

Ephesians 5 And Marriage Duties

SPEAKER_00 3:09

Um maybe there's a reason, folks. Marriage verse for today.

SPEAKER_01 3:18

Ephesians 5, 22 through 33. For example, wives should submit to their husbands as if to the Lord. A husband is the head of his wife, like Christ is the head of the church, that is the savior of the body. So wives submit to their husbands in everything like the church submits to Christ. Do we do that?

SPEAKER_00 3:40

Do you see that in the church today? In marriages inside the church? Do you not?

SPEAKER_01 3:48

As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with a word. He did this to present himself with a splendid church, one without any sort of stain or wrinkle on her clothes, but rather one that is holy and blameless. That's how husbands ought to love their wives in the same way as they do their own bodies. Anyone who loves his wife loves himself. No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Jesus Christ does for the church, because we are parts of his body. This is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two of them will be one body. Marriage is a significant allegory, and I'm applying it to Christ in the church. In any case, as for you individually, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and wives should respect their husbands. I would submit to you folks that we don't do a very good job of following either of these today inside the church, but we pretend one is bad not to follow, and we pretend that the other just doesn't even exist, that it's not even a problem to begin with. And the idea when you hear people talk about, well, that's old-fashioned, okay. Well, if it's old-fashioned, and it's usually the female, the wife roles, right? Well, you don't submit to your husband. That's ridiculous. That was written 2,000 years ago. Well, then you have to make the same argument for the husband. Well, the husband doesn't have to take care of the wife, then. They don't have to nourish and cherish their wife. That was 2,000 years ago. You see how absurd that is. You can't have one and not the other, folks. Either way. If you want to be a husband that has a wife who submits to them in everything, then you have to be a husband who loves and nourishes and cherishes their wife as their own body.

SPEAKER_00 5:39

And vice versa. You either have both or you have none. Or you're a hypocrite.

Luke 9 Glory Healing And Warning

Greatness Measured By Humility

Denominations And The Kingdom Of God

Psalm 73 When The Wicked Prosper

Proverbs Wisdom And Book Recommendation

Terrorism History And Political Commentary

SPEAKER_01 5:46

Luke 9, 28 through 50. About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see, and they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem. Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing with him. As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, Master, it is wonderful for us to be here. Let's make three shelters as memorials, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. But even as he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them, and terror gripped them as the cloud covered them. Then a voice from the cloud said, This is my son, my chosen one. Listen to him. When the voice finished, Jesus was there alone. They didn't tell anyone at that time what they had seen. The next day, after they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus. A man in the crowd called out to him, Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. An evil spirit seizes keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn't do it. Jesus said, You faithless and corrupt people, how long must I be with you and put up with you? Then he said to the man, Bring your son here. As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion, but Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God's power. While everyone was marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. But they didn't know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they couldn't understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest, but Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my father who sent me. Whoever is least among you is the greatest. John said to Jesus, Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn't in our group. But Jesus said, Don't stop him. Anyone who is not against you is for you. Folks, that reminds me so much of the denominations that we have today that try and pretend that you have to be part of their particular party, their little group, their little club in order to obtain salvation. Jesus says that nowhere. There's no mention of Roman Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, pick your poison. The universal church, yes. Don't try and limit others from entering the kingdom of Jesus Christ. And don't limit yourself by putting your trust more in your particular denomination than in Jesus Christ alone. Psalm 73, verses 1 through 28. Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure, but as for me I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives, their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don't have troubles like other people, they're not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace, and cloth clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for. They scoff and speak on the evil, in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words struck throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their wounds. What does God know? They asked. Does the Most High even know what's happening? Look at these wicked people enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long. Every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prospered, but what a difficult task it is. Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant, I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you. You hold my right hand, you guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart, he is mine for ever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God, I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Proverbs twelve ten. The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel. Countryside, folks, if you get a chance, there's the review for today. Cope did an amazing job writing this book. After only a few pages, I was hooked. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series as they're released from Leslie Nolan. This is the first book. That was a review on Amazon of the first book here of Countryside the Book of the Wise. If you get a chance, check it out. If you enjoyed, if you would also leave a review, I would appreciate that. And if you feel like the podcast is giving you a little something, if you would leave a review online. And there's a link in the show notes where you can set up a monthly donation for five or ten dollars, and I would be very grateful for that as well. Thank you. July 18th, 1994, Buenos Aires, Argentina, suicide truck bomb exploded outside the Argentina-Israelite Mutual Association Building, major Jewish community center. Blast killed 85 people, injured more than 300 others, making it the deadliest terrorist attack in Argentine history.

SPEAKER_00 13:00

A Muslim group called Ansar Allah claimed responsibility.

Medal Of Honor Story

Founders Morality And Spreading The Gospel

Closing Prayer And Blessing

SPEAKER_01 13:08

Carried out with support from the Iranian regime. That hits home a little bit today, does it not? That is mainstream Islam, folks. Always goes hand in glove with mainstream leftism. Medal of honor for today, Henry Bruchis, I'm not sure how you say the last name. Landsman, U.S. Civil War, USS Tackeny, U.S. Navy, May 23rd, 1863, Plymouth, North Carolina, USA. Served on board the USS Tackeny during the taking of Plymouth, North Carolina, 31 October, 1864, carrying out his duties faithfully during the capture of Plymouth. Brooch distinguished himself by a display of coolness when he participated in landing and spiking a nine-inch gun while under a devastating fire from enemy musketry. Little date discrepancy there, huh? 63 or 64. Accredited to Pennsylvania, not awarded posthumously, born October 31st, 1846, Philadelphia, died December 27, 1880, Philadelphia, buried Lawnview Cemetery, reinterred from Monument Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rockledge, Pennsylvania. Location of Metal Naval Historical Center, Washington, Navy Yard, Washington, DC. Henry Bruch. One American heritage quote for today. This is from Charles Carroll in a letter written to James McHenry. James McHenry was a signer of the U.S. Constitution, Secretary of War, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. Interesting little note there. This is November 4th, 1800 from Annapolis, Maryland, I think. Without morals, a republic cannot subsist any length of time. They, therefore, who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure, which denounces against the wicked eternal misery, and ensures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundations of morals, the best security for the duration of free government. The very best thing you can do to help save America today is spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is nothing you can do that will more help to save the United States of America. And we may be too late, folks. We may be past the point. But either way, that's our only hope. And just like the Israelites could still trust God, even in exile to Babylon, even if America falls, we can still trust God in Jesus Christ to bring us home, bring our souls home to him. Right? All the more reason to spread the gospel to others, to share that hope, that eternal hope, the only eternal hope there is. But when you hear people condemning Christianity, realize Charles Carroll of Carrollton, one of our founding fathers, they are attacking liberty, freedom in America. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom of the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. God bless y'all. God bless your families, your marriages if you're married. God bless your nation, wherever you are around the world listening. God bless America. We'll talk to you all again real soon, folks. Looking forward to it.