Ep. 243 - Jesus pursues and saves sinners and saved sinners pursue Jesus - Luke 19:1–10

Ep. 253 - Treasure the Savior of Your Soul - Matthew 10:5a, 21-33

This Sermon's Focus: What is your soul worth? In a world that constantly tempts us to trade eternal treasure for temporary comfort, Jesus asks a powerful question: “What can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” In this episode, we explore Matthew 10:21-33 and discover why followers of Christ can stand firm even in the face of rejection, suffering, and loss. When you know that your Savior has secured your soul forever, fear loses its grip and courage takes its place. Join us as we learn why Jesus is the greatest treasure we possess—and why gaining Him is worth far more than anything we could ever lose. This Sermon's text: Matthew 10:5a, 21-33 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household! 26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2010%3A5a%2C%2021-33&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23447a]] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Ep. 252 - What Does it Mean to Be a Servant of Christ - 1 Corinthians 4.1-7

This Sermon's Focus: What does it really mean to be a servant of Christ? Is it about being talented, successful, or having all the answers? In this episode, we dive into 1 Corinthians 4:1-7 and discover that God's servants are called not to greatness in the world's eyes, but to faithfulness. Together we'll explore what it means to be entrusted with the mysteries of God, to live under Christ's judgment rather than human approval, and to recognize that every gift we have comes from Him. Whether you're serving in your home, workplace, church, or community, this message will encourage you to serve with humility, confidence, and gratitude for the Savior who first served you. This Sermon's Text: 1 Corinthians 4.1-7 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. 6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Ep. 251 - Who Am I that I Should Go? - Exodus 3:1-15

This Episode's Focus: Do you ever feel like an imposter—like you're not the person God could possibly use? In this episode, we explore Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3 and his honest question: “Who am I that I should go?” As Moses focuses on his failures, fears, and inadequacies, God redirects his attention to the only question that truly matters: “Who is the One sending you?” Discover how God's answer, “I AM WHO I AM,” transforms insecurity into confidence, not by making us stronger, but by reminding us that our mission rests on the faithfulness, power, and presence of our Savior. If you've ever doubted yourself, this message is for you. This Sermon's Text: Exodus 3:1-15 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” 5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ “This is my name forever,     the name you shall call me     from generation to generation.

Ep. 250 - Mission Made Possible - Matthew 28:16-20

This Episode's Focus: We should not be able to carry the message of Jesus to the world. We don't fit the message because of our mistakes and our imperfect speech. And yet, God calls us to be his witnesses about who he is, what he has done, and of a mysterious triune God. Why and how? Why? Because God transforms us by the gospel and it becomes even more powerful in us. How? Through the transformative power of the Word, brought into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, filled by the work of Jesus Christ, and prepared through the wisdom and love of the Father. The Sermon Text: Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ep. 249 - Are You Flowing with Living Water? - John 7:37-39 - Festival of Pentecost

This Episode's Focus: What does it really mean to have “rivers of living water” flowing from within you? When we hear about the Holy Spirit, we often think of dramatic moments like Pentecost—tongues of fire, miraculous signs, and thousands coming to faith. But is that the only way the Spirit works? In this episode, we explore Jesus’ promise in John 7:37-39 and discover how the Holy Spirit most often moves through ordinary believers in extraordinary ways. From quiet prayers and faithful parenting to steadfast trust in the middle of suffering, we'll see how living water continues to flow through God's people today, bringing peace, purpose, and confidence in Christ. This Sermon's Text: John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.