the Church Podcast

Focus: Meeting together behind locked doors because they were afraid, the appearance and presence of Jesus fills them with joy! With no room for fear, this huddling for safety is transformed into a victory party because Christ has risen! Main Text: John 20:1-23

Focus: The elicited response to Jesus’ love and presence will not be bridled or tamed by convention or expectation. It’s not even confined to the community of believers. All creation testifies! As Jesus said, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” Main Text: Luke 19:28-40

Focus: True Biblical community is more concerned with God’s Word and calling in their lives, where their hearts are at, and following where He leads, than they are with how others are following. True community loves God and loves each other and their neighbors as they love themselves. Main Text: Luke 11:37-54; Revelation 2:1-7

Focus: God induces worship. And yet, even the early church didn’t stop there. They made the intentional choice to devote themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. In other words, they intentionally devoted themselves to gathering together for worship. God blesses us in worship, and part of activating our faith is being intentional about our choices, including prioritizing worship, and our level of engagement. Would you say you are devoted? Main Text: Acts 2:42-47

Focus: It is good to worship the Lord! It is right to give him thanks and praise. We should at all times, and in all places, give thanks. He is our maker. He is our redeemer. He is our healer, our provider, our help, our justice. The Lord is our King! Main Text: Psalm 147

Focus: Belief in Jesus isn’t something we check off a list. We’re called to be Active in our Faith, and to Persevere in the hope we have because God is trustworthy and will keep His promise. Active perseverance includes continuing to meet together for worship, in whatever way we can. Main Text: Hebrews 10:19-25

February 18, 2024 Focus: Active faith is lived out by growing in God’s Word. It’s to our benefit as we grow into a full experience of salvation. And it brings glory to God as others see God’s goodness in our lives. Would people closest to me recognize that I have a growing relationship with Jesus? Main Text: 1 Peter 2:1-12

February 14, 2024

February 11, 2024 Focus: From denying even knowing Jesus, to not backing down even when threatened, Peter was changed. Even the Jewish council recognized that the only difference between Peter and an ordinary person was that he had been with Jesus. Jesus changes us. Main Text: Acts 4:1-13

February 04, 2024 Focus: The only way we can grow in our faith is through our connection to Jesus, the Word. He is the vine through which the branches are fed and grow. He is the living water, the Sun of Righteousness and the light of the world. Main Text: John 15:1-8

January 28, 2024 Focus: God’s Word is described as an instrument so precise that it could even cut the most invasive cancer (sin) out of a body without harming any of the healthy cells. And God, the surgeon, can see and knows every cell in our bodies and doesn’t make mistakes. This surgery is not limited to the wealthiest, nor is there a waiting list, and everyone has an invitation. Main Text: Hebrews 4:12-16

January 21, 2024 Focus: There are many things we fill our time with, and which demand even more of it, and all of them leave us feeling incomplete. There is only one thing that truly satisfies our soul. We were created for God and to be connected with Him, so apart from Him we will always feel that connection which is missing. Main Text: John 6:25-35

January 14, 2024 Focus: God provides daily for His people in the wilderness and instructs them to gather what they need every day. There will always be enough for everyone, and leftovers will go bad. Our bodies and our spirits require sustenance, daily. God is the provider, and He is faithful. Main Text: Exodus 16:1-21

January 07, 2024 Focus: The active life of a disciple is being Sustained by the Word. That includes reading and responding to God’s Word daily, growing in our relationship with Jesus, prioritizing gathering for worship and worshiping privately, and being sharpened by God’s Word in relationship with other Christians. Matthew 7:24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Main Text: John 8:30-47

December 31, 2023 Focus: Another year goes by. Another opportunity to find hope in the unexpected ending—the Alpha and Omega who makes all things new. Jesus, Jesus, all about Jesus. He is the Revelation for every year! And His presence with us brings with it another unexpected ending…the divine promise for a transformed future. Main Text: Revelation 21:1-7

December 25, 2023

December 24, 2023 Focus: Embrace the marvel of the unexpected: God's Word, radiant in flesh, dwelling among us. Merry Christmas. May your Christmas be filled with resounding praise, celebrating the astonishing incarnation! Main Text: John 1:14-16

December 17, 2023 Focus: O, Little Town. Sleepy, insignificant, humble little town. Bethlehem, you are unknown. Yet, today, famous, because from you unexpected greatness emerges. From you, O Little Town, a powerful story of promise and unexpected glory is given to an embattled world. Main Text: Micah 5:1-5a