The Impact Church Podcast: Rockford Campus

Real Wisdom | Jon Bell

Ever look around and feel like the world is full of more foolishness than ever before? The truth is, we all have a version of that "No Ragrets" tattoo—a past decision, a word spoken in anger, or a habit we wish we could ink backwards. In this kickoff message for our summer series, Learning Curve, we dive deep into Proverbs 4 to discover why so much of our regret comes from a lack of wisdom diagnosed too late. King Solomon isn't just giving us information; he’s giving us a roadmap to build a life free of preventable pain. Real wisdom isn't just about what you know—it's about seeing life the way God sees it and having the practical skill to live like it’s true. In this video, you’ll discover: * The "Get" Factor: Why real wisdom requires a dogged, relentless pursuit (like a bird dog on the hunt!). * Guard Your Heart: Why the cultural advice to "follow your heart" is dangerous, and how to protect the life-source of your decisions. * The Ultimate Guide: How shifting from a proud heart to a "hearing heart" changes your entire trajectory. Ultimately, wisdom has a name, and His name is Jesus. If you are tired of playing dumb games and winning dumb prizes, it’s time to pursue the one who can redeem every past regret and heal every foolish wound.

Sharing the Gospel and Our Lives | Max Spoelstra

Have you ever looked at your travel photos and realized your own face is blocking the beautiful scenery? In this message, Max shares some hilarious (and slightly embarrassing) vacation photo mishaps with his wife, Brianna, to reveal a deeper truth about our faith: Too often, we try to put ourselves in the frame instead of letting God be the main subject. Stepping away for a few weeks provides a clear vantage point to see what God is truly doing in the church. Looking at Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, we dive into what a healthy, thriving, and contagious church culture actually looks like. Whether you are wondering how to build deeper relationships, looking to stand firm in a confusing culture, or feeling called to a greater mission right in your own neighborhood, this message is for you. "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." — 1 Thessalonians 2:8

How the Enemy Baits You (And How to Stand Firm) | Ryan Kresge

Are you being set up? In this week of our series, "Encounters with Jesus," we dive into Matthew 4 to look at the infamous showdown between Jesus and the devil in the wilderness. Often, we think temptation is just about breaking rules—but it’s actually a calculated attack on our identity. When you are hungry, tired, and isolated, you become a sitting duck for the enemy. Through the three specific traps laid for Jesus, we discover the exact blueprint the enemy uses against us today: the temptation to be satisfied, the temptation to be awesome, and the temptation to be powerful.If the enemy wanted to catch you, what bait would he use? Watch to learn how to identify the triggers, illusions, and rationalizations of temptation, and how to stand firm on the truth of God's Word.🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages to help you grow in your faith.💬 We’d love to hear from you! Where do you need God’s strength the most today? Let us know in the comments below.---SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:• Matthew 4:1-11• 1 John 2:15-17• Luke 4:13Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

Why Jesus Refused to Throw the Stone | Sarah Esquivel

In this message, we dive into one of the most dramatic, publicly charged encounters in all of the Gospels: The Woman Caught in Adultery (John 8:1–11).When the self-righteous religious leaders tried to use a woman's shame as a weapon to trap Jesus, He flipped the script. Instead of throwing a stone, He stooped to her level, silenced her accusers, and offered her something completely unexpected: scandalous grace paired with a call to holiness.If you are carrying a label the world gave you—"damaged," "failure," "not good enough"—this video is a reminder that the enemy wants to condemn you, but Jesus wants to consecrate you.Key Takeaways from This Message:The Trap of Self-Righteousness: Why it’s so easy to become an expert at spotting other people's brokenness to avoid dealing with our own.Condemnation vs. Consecration: Condemnation says you are what you did and labels you unfit for use. Consecration says you belong to God and you are deeply valuable.Grace First, Freedom Next: Why trying to "white-knuckle" holiness without first experiencing real grace will only turn you into a Pharisee.Scripture References:John 7:53–8:11Philippians 2:6-8Matthew 5:27-291 Corinthians 6:18Romans 8:1-2Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

How Jesus Treats Kids | Jake Heitman

You can tell a lot about a leader by the way they treat children. In a culture that often views kids as a distraction or a "chore," Jesus did something radical: He stopped His mission, rebuked His disciples, and placed children at the very top of the social ladder.In this message, we dive into Mark 10 and Matthew 18 to discover why Jesus fiercely protected and cherished the next generation. Churches rarely die first in the sanctuary—they begin to die in the nursery. That's why we don't just offer childcare; we provide soul-care. We aren't babysitting youngsters; we are shepherding future adults.If you've ever wondered what makes a church truly "alive," it starts with a messy, loud, and beautiful investment in our kids.Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome