Episode Summary:

Picture walking into a neighborhood bakery and sensing something deeper than the smell of fresh bread - an atmosphere charged with love, peace, and transformation. What if that bakery wasn’t just a place to satisfy your hunger, but a place where heaven meets earth, and lives are transformed daily?

In this episode of the As in Heaven podcast, we uncover how one woman, Deniz Koprulu, went from opening a small bakery in Toronto to becoming a beacon of hope and spiritual transformation, turning her bakery into an Ecclesia—a gathering place where Jesus shows up every day.

Her story invites us to consider how we can bring the presence of heaven into our everyday spaces.

Key Takeaways:

1. God shows up in unexpected places: Deniz’s bakery became a place where heaven touches earth, showing that God can use any space as a meeting place with Him.
2. Love is the most powerful tool for transformation: Deniz’s testimony highlights how her acts of love, through her baking and interactions, opened doors for people to experience the love of Christ.
3. The Ecclesia is not just a Sunday gathering: Deniz’s story challenges the traditional view of the church, showing that the body of Christ can gather and worship in everyday spaces like a bakery.
4. God answers specific prayers: Deniz’s journey shows how God spoke to her through people, events, and even customers, answering her prayers and guiding her in both spiritual and practical matters.
5. Boldness in faith leads to impact: Deniz stepped out in faith to make Jesus known in her community, transforming not only her life but also the lives of those she encountered.

Pull Quotes:

1. "Why limit Jesus to a church building? He’s everywhere - He’s in me, and He’s in my bakery." - Deniz Koprulu
2. "I’m just a simple baker, but God is using my little bakery to impact my whole neighborhood." - Deniz Koprulu
3. "Heaven is not just for church on Sundays; it’s meant to show up in our everyday lives and spaces." - Bryan Elliott

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 - Introduction: Meeting Deniz Koprulu and her story
• 02:07 - Deniz’s background: From Turkey to Toronto’s bakery scene
• 07:27 - Discovering the presence of God in the bakery
• 12:33 - The turning point: Deniz’s first encounter with Jesus through prayer
• 16:47 - Surrendering to Jesus: Deniz’s journey to faith
• 22:21 - The bakery as an Ecclesia: A place of ministry and community transformation
• 26:57 - Deniz’s dream of "The Table" and creating spaces of testimony
• 31:59 - Deniz’s message to business owners: Bringing heaven into everyday spaces

Podcast Summary:

Imagine living in a kingdom unlike any you’ve ever known - a kingdom ruled by a benevolent King who offers unconditional love, endless provision, and perfect peace.

In this episode of As In Heaven, Bryan Elliott and host Matt Davis explore the reality of God's kingdom and how it is meant to be experienced here on earth, not just in the afterlife. They dive into the life-changing implications of embracing Jesus as King and the transformational power of living under His authority.

The problem we are tackling in this episode: Why do so many people stop at salvation and fail to fully experience the kingdom of God? And, how do we as believers live out this kingdom reality daily?

Key Takeaways:

1. The kingdom of God is not just a future reality, but something to be experienced on earth now.
2. The gospel of the kingdom offers a deeper, fuller experience beyond just the gospel of salvation.
3. Living in the kingdom means submitting to Jesus as King, which brings transformation and a new way of life.
4. Suffering and trials are inevitable, but the kingdom provides peace, provision, and a heavenly reality amidst them.
5. Our mission as citizens of the kingdom is to manifest the reign of God in our daily lives, sharing the good news with others.

Pull Quotes:

• "The gospel of salvation is just the door, but there's an entire new world, a heavenly reality we are meant to experience here on earth."
• "Without the King, there’s no kingdom. By making Him King, we enter under His rulership, His peace, and His provision."
• "We’re not waiting to escape earth to go to heaven. The reign of God is meant to come to earth through His citizens."

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 – Welcome to the Kingdom: Matt Davis introduces the episode with a vivid depiction of God's kingdom and invites listeners to imagine a reality governed by love, peace, and abundance.
• 02:38 – Bryan Elliott on the Gospel of the Kingdom: Bryan shares how the gospel of the kingdom changed his life and the importance of understanding the kingdom beyond just salvation.
• 03:46 – Setting the Table: Matt Davis compares this journey to a feast, inviting listeners to sit at the table and savor the fullness of the kingdom reality.
• 04:47 – Suffering and Submission in the Kingdom: Bryan and Matt discuss the inevitable trials of life and how submission to the King brings peace and provision even in hardship.
• 06:52 – Invitation to the Feast: The episode closes with an invitation to continue exploring the feast of God's kingdom in future episodes.

Podcast Summary

Imagine carrying around a heavy stone in your pocket, day after day. Each step is weighed down by its burden, a constant reminder of the hurt or betrayal that lingers in your heart. Now, imagine finally letting that stone go, but realizing it was never about the weight - it was about the healing you were missing.

In today’s episode, we jump into the power of forgiveness and mercy in the Kingdom of God, the very keys to unlocking freedom and healing in our lives and the lives of others. Forgiveness, while difficult, is not just a suggestion from the Bible; it is a command that transforms us into conduits for God’s grace.

We wrestle with the challenge of forgiveness, especially when the pain is deep, such as the trauma of murder, abuse, or betrayal. How do we forgive those who don’t ask for it? How do we release ourselves from the bondage of unforgiveness and live in the freedom that God’s kingdom offers?

1. Forgiveness is not a suggestion, but a biblical command - it's essential for living as conduits of God's grace.
2. Forgiveness and trust are separate - forgiveness releases someone from judgment, but trust must be rebuilt over time.
3. The act of forgiving doesn't depend on the other person's repentance - Jesus and Stephen modeled forgiveness even for those who did not repent.
4. Forgiveness invites healing - it brings freedom to both the forgiver and the forgiven, allowing God’s redemption to flow.
5. Mercy and judgment - while we are called to show mercy, judgment belongs to God alone, and our role is to model His grace on earth.

1. "Forgiveness isn’t just letting someone off the hook; it’s canceling their debt, releasing them from our judgment."
2. "As we forgive others, we invite the healing and freedom that come with God's redemptive power into our own lives."
3. "There is no loss in the kingdom; God’s grace uses even our greatest hurts for our good and His glory."

• 00:00 - Introduction: Forgiveness as a Kingdom Principle
• 03:23 - What Forgiveness Is and Isn’t: The Difference Between Forgiveness and Trust
• 05:19 - The Weight of Forgiveness: Personal Stories of Forgiving the Unforgivable
• 10:50 - Practical Steps to Forgive: Specific Processes for Releasing Hurt
• 19:11 - The Kingdom's Role in Forgiveness: Spiritual and Physical Changes Through Forgiveness
• 25:12 - Forgiving Without Repentance: How Jesus Modeled Forgiving Unrepentant People
• 30:00 - Mercy and Forgiveness: Understanding How Mercy and Forgiveness Work Together
• 34:09 - Judgment Belongs to God: Our Role in Mercy and Judgment as Believers
• 45:46 - Receiving Forgiveness: The Misconception of “Forgiving Yourself” and Accepting God’s Grace
• 49:54 - Conclusion: Living as Conduits of God’s Grace Through Forgiveness and Mercy

Episode Summary:

Imagine running a business where joy, love, and kingdom principles guide every decision - not just boosting profits, but transforming people.

But how can we integrate kingdom principles into business, tearing down the divide between sacred and secular to create workplaces where God's love and purpose are central?

In this episode, CEO Bryan Elliott shares his journey of transitioning his engineering company, Flō, into a kingdom-driven organization, fostering spiritual growth and success through faith, prayer, and a focus on sonship over orphan thinking.

Join us as we explore how God’s kingdom can flourish in the marketplace, bringing heaven to earth in every aspect of business.

Key Takeaways:

1. No Sacred-Secular Divide – Whether in ministry or the marketplace, all work is kingdom work. Businesses can reflect God's values through every interaction.
2. Sonship vs. Orphan Thinking – Orphan mentality leads to scarcity, competition, and self-reliance, while sonship frees leaders to steward God’s business with love, abundance, and interdependence.
3. Prayer as Business Strategy – Integrating prayer into company culture invites God's guidance, bringing peace, clarity, and breakthrough.
4. Investment in People – Building a business on kingdom principles means investing in the growth, healing, and well-being of employees, which leads to long-term success.
5. Kingdom Business Flourishes – Even in hard times, a company built on kingdom foundations will see fruitfulness and multiplication in ways that extend beyond financial ROI.

Pull Quotes:

1. "The kingdom of God multiplies in hearts. As it expands, life is produced, and that life changes everything." – Bryan Elliott
2. "God’s presence is expanding in us first, then through us. We become living stones, and our businesses reflect heaven on earth." – Bryan Elliott
3. "Living for heaven now is the best life on earth." – Bryan Elliott

Chapter Markers:

• 0:00 – Introduction: The Sacred-Secular Divide in Business
• 2:24 – Chief Spiritual Officer: The Role of Faith in Leadership
• 5:10 – Bryan’s Company, Flow: From Engineering to Kingdom Culture
• 15:05 – Sonship vs. Orphan Thinking: A Shift in Mindset
• 30:00 – Vulnerability in Leadership: The 360-Degree Review Process
• 46:00 – Talent Development: Building Culture on Kingdom Principles
• 58:00 – Prayer in Business: Integrating Spiritual Practices
• 1:14:00 – Kingdom Multiplication: Investing in People and Ministries
• 1:28:00 – Conclusion: Bringing Heaven to Earth in Business

Imagine a pastor, freshly let go, sitting in church six weeks later, quietly uttering a prayer that seems counterintuitive: "Thank you, Lord, for this season."

This episode of As in Heaven tackles one of the hardest subjects - suffering, but not just any suffering - transformational suffering. It explores how enduring hardship with Christ reshapes us, turning what seems like unbearable pain into a refining process that draws us closer to God.

Bryan Elliott and Matt Davis discuss how suffering, whether personal, spiritual, or communal, becomes an accelerant to growth, deepening faith, and cultivating resilience.

Key Takeaways:

1. Suffering with Christ transforms: Rather than becoming victims, we are refined and drawn closer to Jesus, experiencing profound inner change.
2. Mindset matters: Approaching suffering as a refining process rather than punishment changes everything.
3. Biblical suffering is a calling: As believers, we are called to suffer like Christ, understanding that glory and growth follow hardship.
4. Adversity builds strength: Personal trials, whether through ministry, family, or personal faith, serve as pathways to a deeper, richer relationship with God.
5. God’s presence in suffering: Even in the wilderness, God encircles and cares for us, teaching that pain is not wasted but redemptive.

Pull Quotes:

1. "This suffering is not happening to you; it’s happening for you when you walk with Jesus."
2. "Suffering, that once seemed like suffering, gives way to a better way of living because God refines you."
3. "Pain is an indicator, a wake-up call. But most of the time, we try to bypass it rather than face it."

Chapter Markers:

1. [00:00] - Introduction: Transformational Suffering Matt Davis opens the conversation on how suffering with Christ is different from suffering alone and introduces the key theme of the episode.
2. [03:14] - The Call to Suffer with Christ Discussing biblical foundations, especially 1 Peter 2:21, the hosts reflect on how Christians are called to follow in Christ's suffering.
3. [10:26] - Wrestling with the Purpose of Pain Personal stories illustrate how viewing suffering as part of God’s plan reshapes how we endure hardship.
4. [19:57] - Embracing the Ambush of God A deep dive into the importance of surrendering to God's plans, even when it feels like He’s "ambushing" your life.
5. [31:44] - Seasons of Wilderness Exploring how wilderness seasons shape believers, drawing from biblical examples of Israel’s wandering and Jesus' suffering.
6. [50:44] - Moving From Self-Focus to Self-Abandonment How abandoning self-interest and embracing sacrificial love transforms suffering into a form of worship.
7. [1:14:37] - The Invitation to Co-Suffer with Christ Discussing the profound spiritual principle that we are co-glorified with Christ when we accept His sufferings as our own.
8. [1:31:10] - The Eternal Perspective of Suffering The hosts conclude with reflections on how this brief earthly suffering pales in comparison to the eternal glory awaiting believers in Christ.

Everyone knows the struggle: You’re holding a wad of cash in your hand, knowing that God asks for everything but hesitating to give up control over your finances.

In this episode of As In Heaven, Bryan and Matt dive deep into the spiritual importance of tithing and generosity.

The question we wrestle with is: What does it mean to trust God with not just our hearts, but our wallets? How does financial faithfulness unlock spiritual abundance?

1. Tithing as a Heart Check: Tithing isn't just about finances; it's about trusting God as our provider and ensuring our hearts remain aligned with His will.
2. Faithfulness Leads to Fruitfulness: When we are faithful with what little we have, God increases our capacity and responsibilities.
3. Generosity Is a Kingdom Principle: Kingdom generosity isn’t about the amount but the heart behind the giving. It mirrors God’s own lavish generosity towards us.
4. Overcoming the Spirit of Poverty: Faithful giving and stewardship break the stronghold of scarcity and open the door to kingdom abundance.
5. The Joy of Giving: True generosity, whether financial or through acts of love and service, brings joy to both the giver and the receiver, aligning us with God's heart.

1. "Tithing isn't about God needing our money; it's about God exposing the condition of our hearts."
2. "Faithfulness with little leads to greater responsibility in the kingdom. It’s not about how much we have, but how we manage it."
3. "The greatest thing we can give is love, and generosity is the purest expression of that love."

• 00:00 – Introduction: Tithing, generosity, and the heart.
• 01:13 – The concept of first fruits and the power of Malachi 3:10-12.
• 04:17 – Why most Christians give below 10% and the importance of giving our best.
• 06:52 – The story of Cain and Abel and how tithing guards our hearts.
• 11:04 – Tithing in the Old Testament: More than 10%, it was a lifestyle.
• 15:51 – Jesus’ perspective on tithing and the heart behind it.
• 19:28 – Practical advice: Start with 1% and grow in faithfulness.
• 24:33 – Overcoming a poverty mentality: Breaking the stronghold of scarcity.
• 30:19 – The power of stewardship: Managing well what God has given us.
• 36:09 – Generosity vs. Giving: Giving from abundance and joy.
• 43:52 – Personal stories of generosity: The impact of small acts of love.
• 50:12 – The unstoppable cycle of kingdom abundance.
• 55:04 – Money in the church: Stewardship and transparency.
• 1:00:59 – Faithfulness as a demonstration of internal character and growth.
• 1:06:38 – Conclusion: Tithing as worship and obedience in the kingdom.

Summary

What if we told you the way we're practicing Christianity today is broken? With churches full of "nones" and "dones," and society drifting further from biblical values, it’s clear that the gospel we proclaim isn't translating into transformative power in our lives or the world around us.

In the pilot episode of As In Heaven, Bryan Elliott and Matt Davis dive into the heart of the problem:

Christians have embraced personal salvation but missed out on the full impact of the gospel of the kingdom - a kingdom that promises to restore every aspect of life on earth to God's original intent.

Through personal stories and deep biblical insights, this podcast invites listeners to reclaim the transformative power of the kingdom here and now, challenging them to live out heaven on earth as Christ intended. Join Bryan and Matt as they awaken us to a new way of living, one that moves beyond personal redemption to world transformation.

Takeaways

• The current approach to Christianity is not effectively transforming the world.
• The gospel of the kingdom offers more than personal redemption, it has the power to bring global transformation.
• Believers are called to make the kingdom of God visible on earth.
• Living in the kingdom means experiencing the abundant life Jesus offers.
• The invitation to live in the kingdom is open to everyone, regardless of their spiritual journey.

Chapters

Podcast Summary

Picture a bustling city like Times Square on a busy Friday afternoon - honking cars, crowded streets, the chaos of life at full speed. Now imagine that by evening, all that chaos ceases. The streets are empty, the noise is gone, and a stillness settles in.

This is the experience of Sabbath in Jerusalem.

In today's episode, we dive into the importance of the Sabbath, a kingdom principle that invites us to stop, rest, and realign with God. Why is it so hard to stop? Why do we resist the rest that God Himself modeled for us?

Join us as we explore the rhythm of work and rest that God built into creation itself.

1. Sabbath is an act of trust - resting in God means acknowledging that He is the sustainer, not us.
2. Rest is productive - just as land that rests becomes more fruitful, our lives bear more fruit when we rest in God.
3. Sabbath is about relationship, not legalism - it’s an invitation to connect deeply with God and others, not just a rule to follow.
4. Rest is a weapon against burnout - pausing for Sabbath strengthens us physically, mentally, and spiritually.
5. We were created to work from rest - our lives should flow from a place of rest in God, not a frantic race to catch up.

1. "Sabbath isn’t just about doing nothing - it’s about actively trusting God to provide for us, even in our rest."
2. "We don’t rest because we’re tired, we rest because God commands it - and it’s His way of renewing us."
3. "The invitation is not to rest from our work, but to work from our rest - starting with God’s gift of Sabbath."

• 00:00 - Introduction: Defining Sabbath and Its Importance
• 02:52 - Personal Story of Sabbath: Growing Up Observing Shabbat
• 05:19 - Biblical Foundations of Sabbath: The Commandment and the Concept of Rest
• 12:44 - The Principle of Rest: Letting the Land Rest and Trusting God
• 19:21 - The Consequences of Ignoring Rest: Lessons from Israel’s 490 Years
• 22:01 - Working From Rest, Not For Rest: A Key Kingdom Principle
• 25:16 - Sabbath in the Business World: Applying Sabbath Principles as a CEO
• 31:21 - Jesus and the Pharisees: The Sabbath Laws and Legalism
• 33:20 - Living Sabbath Joyfully: Practical Ways to Observe and Enjoy Sabbath
• 35:02 - Invitation to Rest: Finding Rhythm in Diverting Daily, Withdrawing Weekly, and Abandoning Annually
• 37:31 - Conclusion: Sabbath as a Divine Appointment for Rest and Renewal