Five Smooth Stones: How God Prepares Us for Battle (David & Goliath)

A Culture of Encouragement: Becoming a Hero Incubator

What kind of culture produces healthy, confident, Spirit-filled believers? In this inspiring message, Steve Backlund [https://www.ignitinghope.com/] shares a vision for the church as a hero incubator—a place where people are encouraged, empowered, and called into their God-given identity. Drawing from Hebrews 10:23–25, Steve explores three practical dimensions of encouragement: learning to encourage yourself in the Lord, becoming someone who sees and celebrates the gold in others, and growing in prophetic encouragement that calls people into their destiny. Along the way, he unpacks lessons from David at Ziklag, Gideon’s encounter with the angel of the Lord, Barnabas’ ministry in the early church, and the power of focusing on God's faithfulness rather than life's disappointments. Whether you're a church leader, team member, or simply hungry to build healthier relationships, this message will equip you to create an atmosphere where hope grows, identity is strengthened, and people flourish. Key Topics: • The church as a "hero incubator" • Encouraging yourself in God • Breaking cycles of negativity and cynicism • Developing a father-hearted perspective • Prophetic encouragement and identity • Building a culture where people thrive • Lessons from David, Gideon, and Barnabas A powerful teaching on creating environments where people discover who they truly are and become all God has called them to be. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ephesians: The Mystery Revealed

WHAT IF ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LETTERS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS WRITTEN TO A CITY SHAPED BY EMPIRE, WEALTH, COMPETING SPIRITUALITIES, AND ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD? IN THIS EPISODE, WE BEGIN A JOURNEY THROUGH PAUL'S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS, LEAD BY STUART GREGG [https://www.kingdom-ministries.org.uk/about/index.php#stuart] LEADER OF CELEBRATE CHURCH. BEFORE EXPLORING THE TEXT ITSELF, WE UNCOVER THE FASCINATING STORY OF EPHESUS—A THRIVING ROMAN CITY DOMINATED BY THE TEMPLE OF ARTEMIS, WHERE CULTURE, RELIGION, AND POWER COLLIDED. DISCOVER HOW THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS WAS BORN THROUGH SIGNS, WONDERS, BOLD PREACHING, AND LIVES TRANSFORMED BY THE POWER OF JESUS. ALONG THE WAY, WE EXPLORE HOW THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS PRESERVED, WHY WE CAN TRUST THE BIBLICAL TEXT, AND HOW PAUL'S MESSAGE CHALLENGED BOTH THE CULTURE OF HIS DAY AND OURS. AT THE HEART OF IT ALL IS A PROFOUND TRUTH: GOD HAS A PLAN, AND THAT PLAN IS REVEALED IN JESUS CHRIST. THE MYSTERY IS NO LONGER HIDDEN. THE KING HAS BEEN REVEALED. JOIN US AS WE BEGIN THIS VERSE-BY-VERSE JOURNEY THROUGH ONE OF PAUL'S RICHEST AND MOST POWERFUL LETTERS. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Psalm 23 Through Connection: Leaving Separation Mindset Behind

SORRY ! THERE ARE SOME AUDIO DROP OUTS ON THE RECORDING. STILL WELL WORTH LISTENING TO. JOHN HULSE OPENS WITH JOKES, THEN RECAPS A CHURCH THEME ABOUT BUILDING WITH AN “EMPIRE MINDSET” AND EXPLAINS TWO LENSES FOR LIFE: SEPARATION (SCARCITY, CERTAINTY, PERFECTION, SELF-CENTEREDNESS) VERSUS CONNECTION (ENOUGH, MYSTERY, FALLIBILITY, OTHERS-FOCUSED). USING PSALM 23 (AMPLIFIED), JOHN ARGUES IT IS OFTEN READ THROUGH A WESTERN, SEPARATION MINDSET THAT TREATS GOD LIKE A CONTROLLER, INSTEAD OF A SHEPHERD WHO FEEDS, GUIDES, AND SHIELDS. HE LINKS “I SHALL NOT WANT” TO FREEDOM FROM SCARCITY AND DESCRIBE GREEN PASTURES AND STILL WATERS AS RESTORING SPACES THAT FOSTER CREATIVITY AND PREPARE PEOPLE FOR GROWTH. JOHN REDEFINES THE “VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH” AS THE FEARS THAT STOP SOMEONE TAKING THE NEXT STEP OF OBEDIENCE, ILLUSTRATING WITH PAUL WRITING IN PRISON AND A PERSONAL STORY OF BECOMING A UNION REP GUIDED BY MICAH 6:8. HE INTERPRETS “A TABLE IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES” AS INVITING AND HONORING OPPONENTS, REFERENCING A RUSSELL BRAND INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE WINSHIP THAT CHALLENGED THE SPEAKER’S JUDGMENT. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Uncompromising Disciple: Stand Firm, Speak Boldly, Love Fiercely

ANDREW CANNON OF GOSPEL GRENADES WARMLY GREETS CELEBRATE CHURCH. HE SHARES ABOUT HIS BOOK AND “FREEDOM IN CHRIST” MERCHANDISE, AND HIGHLIGHTS PROJECT SAVED, INVITING SUPPORTERS TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER AND GIVE MONTHLY TO HELP RESCUE CHILDREN IN NEPAL, NOTING RAPID GROWTH IN STAFF AND RESCUES. HE THEN TEACHES ON “THE UNCOMPROMISING DISCIPLE,” OUTLINING FOUR THEMES: STAND FIRM IN FAITH, SPEAK BOLDLY, LOVE FIERCELY, AND DON’T BACK DOWN. USING SCRIPTURES FROM EPHESIANS, JOSHUA, ACTS, 1 PETER, GALATIANS, HEBREWS, AND EXAMPLES LIKE PETER AND JOHN, DANIEL, JONAH, AND PAUL AND SILAS, HE URGES BELIEVERS TO GO PUBLIC WITH FAITH, RESIST FEAR THROUGH GOD’S LOVE, USE PRAISE AS A POWERFUL SPIRITUAL WEAPON, AND LIVE FAITHFULLY WITH COURAGE AND UNITY, EVEN UNDER PRESSURE AND POTENTIAL PERSECUTION. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Five Smooth Stones: How God Prepares Us for Battle (David & Goliath)

IN THIS FOLLOW-UP MESSAGE, CLAIRE REFLECTS ON HOW WATCHING HOUSE OF DAVID DREW FRESH ATTENTION TO THE PREPARATION BEHIND DAVID’S VICTORY IN FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. INSTEAD OF CENTERING ON THE MOMENT DAVID FACES THE GIANT, THE TEACHING HIGHLIGHTS THE HIDDEN YEARS THAT SHAPED HIM. DAVID—KING DAVID—WAS OVERLOOKED AND UNSEEN, YET HIS LIFE AS A SHEPHERD BECAME THE TRAINING GROUND WHERE INTIMACY WITH GOD WAS FORMED. FIGHTING THE LION AND THE BEAR BUILT COURAGE AND FAITH LONG BEFORE HE MET GOLIATH. WHEN THE MOMENT CAME, DAVID REFUSED SAUL’S ARMOR AND TRUSTED THE GOD WHO HAD ALREADY PROVEN FAITHFUL. CLAIRE CONNECTS THIS STORY TO MODERN BATTLES—HEALTH STRUGGLES, WORK PRESSURES, FAMILY BURDENS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND TRAUMA—OFFERING FIVE “SPIRITUAL STONES” FOR BELIEVERS TODAY: PRAYER – CULTIVATING CLOSENESS WITH GOD IN THE HIDDEN PLACES GOD’S WORD – ANCHORING LIFE IN TRUTH AND PROMISES FAITH – TRUSTING GOD’S PAST FAITHFULNESS FOR PRESENT CHALLENGES TESTIMONY & COMMUNITY – DRAWING STRENGTH FROM SHARED STORIES AND SUPPORT JESUS THE CORNERSTONE – BUILDING EVERYTHING ON JESUS CHRIST THE TALK CONCLUDES BY INVITING LISTENERS TO NAME THEIR OWN “BATTLE CRY,” PRAYING FOR BOLDNESS, COURAGE, AND DEEPER TRUST IN GOD AS THEY FACE THE GIANTS BEFORE THEM. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.