The Impact Church Podcast: Rockford Campus

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

Would Jesus Even Recognize the Modern Church? | Max Spoelstra

Have you ever looked at something modern and thought, "This is nothing like I remember it"? From the changing landscape of sports and culture to the way we experience community, things look vastly different than they used to. But what if Jesus looked at the modern Western church and said the exact same thing? In this message, we are stripping away the overproduced, auto-tuned, and filtered layers of modern religion to look at the raw, wild origins of the faith in John 1. Before there were "churchgoers," "attenders," or even the word "Christian," there was a viral, organic movement of discipleship fueled by curiosity, proximity, and simple invitation. Key Takeaways & Scripture References The Shift in Terms: In the New Testament, "Disciple" is used 263 times, while "Christian" is only used 3 times. Today, our usage is completely flipped. Proximity over Programs: Jesus didn't invite people to an office or a weekly service; He invited them to see where He was staying and to spend the day with Him. Scripture Mentioned: John 1:35-51, Acts 17:32-34, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Timothy 3:10 Reflection Questions - You might identify as a believer or a Christian, but are you a disciple and a follower? - Who is in your discipleship "downline"? - Who are you bringing along with you? - Are you developing the skill of asking great questions and speaking identity into the people around you? Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

Surrendering Your Children To God | Jaclyn Ramirez

What was it like to be the mother of the Messiah? In this special Mother’s Day message, we kick off our new series, "Encounters with Jesus," by looking at the four pivotal moments between Jesus and His mother, Mary. From the anxiety of losing a twelve-year-old in Jerusalem to the heartbreak at the foot of the cross, we explore how Mary had to constantly surrender her will to God’s greater plan.Join us as we walk through these four life-changing encounters:The Temple (Luke 2): Dealing with the anxiety of a "missing" child and realizing His Father’s house comes first.The Wedding at Cana (John 2): Learning to trust His timing and His methods—even when the "wine" runs out.The Crowd at Capernaum (Mark 3): Navigating the seasons where family dynamics shift and God’s kingdom takes priority.The Cross (John 19): The ultimate act of surrender and the beautiful compassion of a Son who provides for His mother until the very end.[Key Scripture References]Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus at 12 years old)John 2:1-11 (The First Miracle)Mark 3:20-35 (Jesus’ Family and True Kinship)John 19:26-27 (Jesus at the Cross)Deuteronomy 6:5-9Psalm 103:8"Mary didn’t apply for the position of 'Mother of the Messiah.' She was chosen for it. She had to surrender countless times—her will, her protective nature, and eventually, her Son. Her story is a reminder that even when we don't understand His ways, we can always trust His heart."If this message encouraged you today, please like this video, subscribe to our channel, and share it with a mom who needs to hear this reminder of God's compassion.Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchRockford Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome

Be Strong | Jon Bell

We live in a world that screams at us to chase status, success, and "stuff"—but none of it stands the test of time. In this message, we look at the final moments of King David’s life. As he prepares to take his final breath, he doesn't give Solomon a list of political strategies; he gives him a charge for his soul. What are you passing on to the next generation? Is it something temporary, or something eternal? "Strength isn't about control; it's about surrender, discipline, and the commitment to live according to God's calling." If this message challenged you to rethink what you’re building your life on, please Like this video and Subscribe to our channel for more teaching through the Life of David. Scripture References: 1 Kings 2:1-4 Ecclesiastes 12 Psalm 19:7-10 Psalm 119:112 Proverbs 3:5-6 Website: https://impact.church Facebook: https://facebook.com/ImpactChurchHome Instagram: https://instagram.com/ImpactChurchHome YouTube: https://youtube.com/@impactchurchhome TikTok: https://tiktokcom/@impactchurchhome