The Impact Church Podcast

How the Enemy Baits You (And How to Stand Firm) | Jon Bell

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 4:13

Why Jesus Refused to Throw the Stone | Ryan Kresge

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 | Jason Holdridge

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

Christianity Isn't Cool (And Why That's A Good Thing) | Jon Bell

We spend so much time trying to make Christianity look cool, composed, and comfortable. But what if following Jesus was never meant to be cool? What if it’s supposed to be raw, disruptive, and a little bit "weird" to the culture around us? In this message, we look at a shocking encounter in Luke 7 between Jesus, a self-righteous Pharisee named Simon, and a broken woman with an alabaster jar. While Simon cares about keeping up appearances and judging from the sidelines, this woman loses all composure to worship at the feet of Jesus. If you've been exhausted by the pressure of keeping up a perfect narrative, playing the comparison game, or hiding behind religious labels, this message is for you. It’s time to stop talking to ourselves and start listening to what Jesus wants to say to us. 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? | Jason Holdridge

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