Naples Community Church's Podcast

Why Pray for Our Leaders? | 4th of July Weekend Message

This 4th of July weekend, Pastor Kirt Anderson shares a message on praying for those in authority, drawn from Paul's letter to Timothy written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Pastor Kirt walks through why Paul urged the early church to pray for kings and leaders even under persecution, and what it means for us today to live peaceful, quiet lives marked by goodness and dignity. Along the way, Pastor Kirt shares stories from American history, including John Witherspoon's legacy at Princeton and the story of Chief Joseph, along with personal family moments that bring the message home. Whether you are new to faith or have been part of a church for years, this message offers a hopeful and practical look at what it means to be a faithful citizen. Naples Community Church | 849 7th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102naplescommunitychurch.org

Don't Grow Weary in Doing Good

Have you ever started something with the best intentions, only to run out of steam? In this message, Pastor Dan Edmondson digs into 2 Thessalonians 3:13, where the apostle Paul gives a short but powerful charge to the church: "Do not grow weary in doing good." Drawing from personal stories of missionary work in Sierra Leone and his son's journey through Papua New Guinea and rural Mexico, Pastor Dan identifies four real obstacles that cause people to give up: disappointment, lack of planning, lack of vision, and lack of faith. He closes with a simple, unforgettable challenge involving a napkin and a Sharpie. Whether you're burned out from helping people who don't seem to change, unsure if your vision is big enough to matter, or quietly wondering if God is even paying attention, this message speaks directly to where you are. Naples Community Church meets Sundays at 10:00 AM at 849 7th Ave S, Naples, FL. Join us in person or online. Learn more and plan your visit at naplescommunitychurch.org.

What Does It Mean to Call God "Father"?

On Father's Day, Pastor Kirt Anderson draws from Isaiah 63 to explore one of the most personal questions in the Bible: where is God when His people are suffering? The people of Israel, exiled in Babylon for nearly 70 years, cried out to God and asked why He seemed so far away. Pastor Kirt unpacks what that season of waiting was really about, and why the image of God as Father, though rare in the Old Testament, is so central to how Jesus taught us to pray. Pastor Kirt also shares honest, personal stories from his own experience as a dad, and why the eruption of love he felt at the birth of his daughter gave him a new window into God's love for us. Whether you are a father, struggling with your own faith, or simply wondering what the Lord's Prayer really means, this message is for you. Naples Community Church meets at 849 7th Ave S, Naples, FL. New here? Plan your visit at https://naplescommunitychurch.org/visit [https://naplescommunitychurch.org/visit].

It's All About Jesus: Who He Is and Who He Came For

Who is Jesus, really? In this message, Wayne Pederson takes a close look at the life and identity of Christ, drawing from the Gospel of John and Colossians 1. He traces three categories of people Jesus consistently stopped for: the downcast, the outcast, and the sinner. From the woman who touched the hem of his garment, to the widow who lost her only son, to the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus showed up for people the world had written off. And the invitation he extended then is still open today. Wayne also walks through the many names and titles given to Jesus in scripture, explaining what each one means and what it reveals about his character. "Jesus" means God saves. "Christ" means the anointed one. He is the Good Shepherd, the Bread of Life, the Prince of Peace, the Alpha and the Omega. As Wayne puts it, after everything that happens in our churches, our theology, our programs, and our lives, "after all, it's all about Jesus." If you have ever wondered whether Jesus would show up for someone like you, this message is worth your time.

When Religion Gets in the Way of Faith

Can religion actually block your relationship with God? In this message from Mark 7, Pastor Kirt Anderson looks at the moment a group of Pharisees traveled from Jerusalem to confront Jesus about his disciples not following the ceremonial hand-washing tradition. Jesus pushes back hard, quoting Isaiah and pointing out that their layers of man-made tradition had buried the original intent of God's law. His verdict: worship that lives only on the lips, without a connected heart, is not worship at all. Pastor Kirt brings the message close to home with his own story of growing up in church without ever really connecting, and closes with a moving World War II account of two soldiers, a grieving priest, and a fence that got moved overnight. If you have ever wondered whether you have to have everything figured out before God would accept you, this message is for you.